VICTORIA – Mark Hall enters his third season as head coach of the University of Victoria Vikes women's rugby team, looking to improve from last season's season that included only one win. The young team – 90 per cent of players either in first or second year of play – is working to convert their raw talent into concrete victories.
While the team lacks Canada West experience, the Vikes only lost one player from their 2013 roster. A previous record of 1-3-0 leaves plenty of room for improvement and Hall sees both veterans and new additions lending their skills to the season.
Second-year Vike
Jess Neilson (North Vancouver, B.C.) will be a player to watch, a high-profile high school recruit who battled injuries that prevented her from participating last season. In August 2014, Neilson and Canada's Under 20 team defeated the USA to win gold at the Can-Am Championship and was featured in
The Province newspaper's 2013 Head of the Class.
Rookie
Jamie Beck (Houston, B.C.) also brings national team experience to the Vikes. Beck competed for Canada in December 2013 at the Tobago International Rugby 7s Tournament and the five-foot-six wing will be pivotal for Victoria.
Gurpreet Dwaliwal (Abbotsford, B.C.) and
Madeleine Graham (Edmonton, Alta.) round out the Vikes' key additions, both being consistent and key factors on their respective provincial teams.
Third-year fullback
Kara Galbraith (Ladysmith, B.C.) and senior flanker
Laura Crowe-Hutchon (West Vancouver, B.C.) bring strength and experience to the squad. Both competed for the British Columbia senior women's team in the National Women's league (NWL) this past summer.
In addition the Vikes can pull from second-year halfback
Nicole Crowley (Cobble Hill, B.C.) who captained the Under-18 BC team to a Canadian national title this summer, fourth-year eightman
Alanna Cryer (Calgary, Alta.), fourth-year lock
Caitlin H, as well as another team Canada stand out
Tiffany Picketts (North Vancouver, B.C.).
The Vikes begin their 2014 Canada West season at home against the Calgary Dinos Sept. 21 at 11:30 a.m. at Wallace Field.
2013 conference record: 1-3-0 (5
th, missed playoffs)
2014-15 SEASON:
Key Additions: Jess Neilson,
Lauren Kerr, Gurpreet Dhaliwal,
Jamie Beck,
Madeleine Graham
Key Returnees: Kara Galbraith,
Laura Crowe-Hutchon,
Alanna Cryer,
Tiffany Picketts,
Caitlin Harvey,
Julia Folk
Key Departures: Kehla Guimond
