(From the Stanstead College yearbook)
Senior Girls
Sure, we accomplished many thing together over the final eight sporting weeks of the year - and for some of your career. Those hilarious memories, the games, tournaments, breakdowns and championships won will stay with you for a long time - hopefully many years from now you'll be able to close your eyes and remember the people standing around you. I bet you will, so I won't recount them all for you. Instead, we'll recount what we feel are the important lessons learned this year.
Three Pieces of Advice for Success in Rugby as a Metaphor for Life
You are braver than you believe. Your courage is inspiring. You will not sit back and let someone else do the work. It will be you - and you can accomplish any single thing that you can dream. Just keep working.
You are stronger than you seem. There is not a single challenge you cannot tackle. When you make up your mine that you do not want someone to cross that line, it is impossible to defeat you. Don't you ever forget it.
You are smarter than you think. The game continues, whether you know what you are doing or not, you can and did thrive on your instincts -because you know what to do, and can do the right thing - in even the most chaotic situation. Take that with you.
Thank you for returning the championship here to home - for the quality time, for the games, the memories, and for the spark that will keep growing next year, and in the years to come.
Junior Girls
The junior girls rugby team played an impressive season that saw a group of players with no experience at the beginning of the year making it the to the league playoff finals. Despite being the youngest and smallest team in the league, they played with a passion and intensity that was unmatched. The second highest scoring team in the league, as well as the most fierce and technical tacklers, these girls will be ones to watch in the years to come.
(From the Stanstead College website, May 17th)
Athlete of the week: Ana Sofia De La Parra Navarro
Despite only being in Grade 8, Ana Sofia has worked to become a dominating force on the Senior Girls’ rugby field. Surrounded by more experienced teammates and opposition, she nonetheless makes her presence known. She is a reliable tackler who goes forward aggressively, and opponents who make the mistake of kicking to her get the chance to see how fast and how powerful she is with the ball in hand. She is positive, learns from her mistakes and is getting stronger and better with each practice and game. Although the team may joke about her being the only junior, it is clear she’s no joke. Ana Sofia’s positive, team-first mentality improves the team. Congratulations!
(From the Stanstead College website, May 23rd)
Athlete of the week: Alexa Mondragon
Although she is new to the game of rugby, you would never know it watching Alexa Mondragon on the field. A dominating force on both sides of the ball, she is an invaluable player. Offensively, this Grade 8 student from Mexico City has accounted for about half of the team’s already impressive 24 tries in 11 games. Defensively, she is a relentless tackler who never gives up on the play and keeps opposing teams’ offence in check. While not very outspoken, her commitment to supporting her teammates and her ability to lead by example through hard runs or by chasing players down to make try-saving tackles makes her a genuine leader and a pleasure to coach. Congratulations, Alexa!