By Nathan Timmerman, Spoke News
The Conestoga Condor’s men’s rugby team fought hard on Sunday, Sept. 16, but ultimately lost 69-0 to the Georgian Grizzlies.
Despite losing their first two games of the year, coach Greg Dawkins is optimistic about the upcoming season.
“We had five returning players and everyone else is brand new. So they’ve never played the game or have very little experience with it,” said Dawkins after Sunday’s match. “We’re hoping to see good results because a lot of them played at least contact sports, and they’re all good athletes.”
Photo by Nathan Timmerman, Spoke News
Dawkins hopes that over the next two-week break in the season the team can come together as a cohesive unit.
This year’s largely novice team is a big turnaround from last year’s team, which was made up mostly of veteran players. “It was a fairly strong season overall,” said Dawkins, referring to last year, “We had a lot of experience in the field.”
“Rugby is kind of a game for misfit toys — everyone can come together and be a part of a greater whole,” Dawkins said.
A former Condor varsity athlete himself, Dawkins has been coaching for the past five years at the club and college level. He also played the position of centre in the marshal premiership, Ontario’s top division of men’s club rugby.
The rugby team’s game schedule is available on the OCAA official website. More information about the team is available online.
Although rugby is one of the first varsity teams to begin season play, it is not the only sport in which Conestoga competes. Basketball, volleyball, cross-country, softball and badminton all begin competing this fall.
The soccer team has already begun its season with one tie and two losses. Other sports begin in October.
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