Lauryn Walker only began playing rugby four years ago with her high school team at St. Roch Catholic Secondary School in Brampton and just switched positions this year from an inside centre to a loose head prop with the Carleton Ravens.
She was also one of 60 athletes invited to the Team Canada Women’s U20 Rugby Training Camp in Whitby from Feb. 8-9. Though, she was not the only Carleton Raven there.
Walker was joined by four of her teammates: Maya Addai, Joleen Mason, Sierra DeVries and Charlotte Elliott. Both Elliott and Addia attended the U20 training camp last year, with the latter making and competing with Team Canada last year in England.
After making the playoffs during the 2018 season, the Carleton Ravens were then placed in the RSEQ league against tougher competition. The 2019 season saw the Ravens struggle against their opposing team, with them getting some wins near the end of their schedule.
“We weren’t satisfied [with] the way we finished, but everyone’s been working so hard since,” Addai said. “We consistently find ways to continue improving our system, culture and continuing to grow.”
“With the season that we had, it didn’t really reflect the team that we are,” Walker added. “I think heading into the off-season, we really wanted to continue working on skills that might have been lacking during last season.”
After the five teammates found out they made the training camp in January, they spent extra hours practicing and improving their fitness levels. Over the two days in Whitby, each of the five Carleton players were placed on Team Yellow and trained over four sessions split into two hour blocks.
Elliott explained playing together definitely helped their game.
“This year was definitely a lot more exciting having the girls there,” she mentioned. “It was really nice because last year Maya and I were split up because we played different positions.” Addai and Mason play the back position, whereas DeVries, Walker and Elliott are forwards.
“That is what made the weekend, having those four girls there,” DeVries added. “[Having their support] was definitely what I need to do well.”
Walker sprained her ankle during a one-on-one tackling drill, which forced her to sit out the rest of the training camp. Still, she stayed to cheer and support the rest of her teammates and to gain experience.
“It was a really encouraging and inviting atmosphere at the training camp,” Walker said. “Especially people that have played on the team came back to help out, they really want you to do your best, and make the most of the experience.”
With having eight hours of rugby compressed into two days, Addai mentioned that it could take a toll.
“It definitely can get mentally and physically draining, though it was amazing having my teammates and family to push you,” she said.
With Canada’s U20 women’s rugby team finishing silver last year, DeVries mentioned how women’s rugby is continuing to grow nationwide.
“It truly is a great sport in teaching girls how to be strong and powerful, and Canada keeps getting better,” she said. “I’m super excited to see the future of women’s rugby.”
As the Carleton Ravens look ahead to their 2020 season this fall, each of the girls expressed how amazing an experience it was to participate in the Team Canada training camp.
“Our team has a mission statement, to become the best U Sports team of all time,” Elliott said. “We really focus on the word greatest, but it’s more about focusing on being the best you can be.”
“I’ve never been in a team environment where I can truly say it’s a family first culture. It definitely exemplifies what it means to be a Raven.”
Feature image by Tim Austen.
