Rugby names four top recruits to 2017 roster
Saint Mary's University is proud to announce the first round of committed recruits for the upcoming 2017 season. Head coach, Amber Davison has taken a keen interest in recruiting local talent highlighted through the Nova Scotia Keltics Provincial programs.
Emma Baines
Emma Baines, nicknamed "Bainesy" is a powerful defensive force on the field. She is known for knowledge of the technical aspects of skills. She currently is a captain for the Halifax based high school, Citadel High. Bainesy has also been a part of the Keltic program in many aspects from traveling with the U18 team to Eastern Canadian Championships and National Championships to traveling to New York to play sevens. Emma was the recipient of the Division 2 Most Valuable Player award with local club, the Halifax Tars. SMU would like to welcome Emma Baines into the Huskie athletics family and can't wait to see what she brings to the pitch this fall!
Jade Borden-Lee
Jade Borden-Lee hails from Halifax, Nova Scotia where she captains the J.L. Ilsley High School rugby team. Jade has been a cornerstone in the Nova Scotia Keltics program for the past year, attending the Eastern Canadian Championships, the National U18 Championships as well as the international sevens tournament in New York . A well rounded athlete, Jade has the versatility to play anywhere on the field. In addition to the Keltics program, Jade shows commitment to developing her rugby skills alongside local club, The Halifax Tars where she has won the title of Most Improved Player two years in a row. The program looks forward to developing with Jade in pursuit of a higher standard over the next four years.
Quinn Foulkes
Quinn Foulkes, from Prospect, Nova Scotia is a current captain with the reining Metro Division Rugby Champions, Halifax West High School. She is a 5'11" ball-carrying lock with surprising pace. Quinn dedicates her summer season to The Halifax Rugby Football Club where she is not only a player but is also involved in coaching Mini Rugby. Quinn's commitment to development had her training three times a week during the off-season with the Nova Scotia Keltics Academy. Quinn has also traveled internationally with the Keltics program competing at the 2016 New York Sevens Tournament. The Huskies are excited to have the talents of Quinn on board for the next four years!
Brianna Willis
Brianna Willis, more commonly known on the rugby pitch as "Bri", has been a leader on her high school rugby team, Auburn High School, for the last 3 years. She is a young member of local club, Dartmouth PigDogs, where in 2016 she earned the Rookie of the Year award. As well she's been travelling provincially and internationally with the Rugby Nova Scotia U18 Women's Squad for the last 2 years. Bri most recently attended the internationally known rugby sevens tournament in New York where her team came won the plate division of the tournament! Saint Mary's University is looking forward to having her positive personality and strong work ethic to build up the team.
With this first round of recruits officially committed to the team for the 2017, Coach Amber Davison had this to say "We've got a great group of 1st years coming into the program. This is some of the best talent that Nova Scotia has to offer. These four girls have already shown a commitment to better their rugby-selves and we're very excited to grow the program alongside them."
The Huskies start regular season play Friday, September 8th when they face StFX.