Rugby Royalty
Story appeared in the 2018 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.
BY HAYLEY PICARD, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Upon first meeting Skye Koyote (’20), you would never think she describes herself as naturally aggressive. Yet this soft spoken Royals rugby sevens star is well on her way to making a name for herself in the sport.
“The physical requirements, technical and tactical requirements, even the mental requirements of the sevens game are very different. It’s become a sport on its own rather than a shortened version of the game.””
Marlene Donaldson, Senior School Athletic Director, sees students like Skye Koyote ('20) and fellow Royal Olivia Kelly (’20) as tremendous ambassadors of the sport at the School. “They are both positive role models because they understand the complete package needed for rugby: athleticism, fitness, mental focus as well as the basics such as passing, running and evasion.”
With the introduction of rugby sevens as an Olympic sport in 2016, the game has become one of the fastest growing sports around the world. Couple this global interest with Vancouver’s successful hosting of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Tournament, and Rugby Canada moving their national train-ing facility to Langford on Vancouver Island, more local athletes are stepping onto the field to explore this dynamic sport.
Skye shares that she was hooked the first time she passed the ball in physical education class with Senior School Athletic Director, Marlene Donaldson. As a former member of Canada’s XVs team and current Head Coach of the BC U15 girl’s team, Donaldson clearly has a passion for the sport. Since beginning her teaching career at Queen Margaret’s School, Marlene has endeavoured to provide numerous opportunities for students to learn about rugby, experience it in real time, and advise them on enriched training options. For Skye, her teacher’s eagerness to develop a rugby sevens team at QMS has been instrumental in her personal growth.
“Last year (2016-2017) was the first year I tried the sport at QMS,” says Koyote. “I really got into it and learned a lot. When I won the QMS Spirit Award for rugby, it made me realize I really felt natural playing the game, and that provided me with the courage to explore it further.” Concentrating on rugby and putting in the time needed to enhance her game meant the difficult decision of letting her other athletic love— soccer—go. “I started watching videos on rugby and signed with the Cowichan “Piggies” Rugby Club. My development leapt forward from there,” explains Koyote.
Skye’s time with the Cowichan Rugby Club augmented her knowledge of the sport, increased her speed, highlighted the technical aspects of rugby, and provided her with valuable play time on the pitch. Her efforts paid off. Skye was offered a spot on the roster of the Vancouver Island North U16 XV team as well as the Cowichan U16 sevens team, both of which earned BC Championship gold. Upon her return to QMS in the fall of 2017, Skye was eager to work with Donaldson on evolving the school’s development rugby sevens team.
Composed of committed athletes from around the world, the Royals clearly had a strong foundation from which to take their game to the next level. “Last year we were babies learning to walk,” notes Koyote. “This time, we had veterans sharing their knowledge with the rookies and we improved quickly.”
Marlene Donaldson also took note of the growing dedication of her athletes and wanted to provide an additional tournament for her team to gain field experience. “These girls were willing to go out in the torrential rain on a Friday after school to practice,” she explains. “Rugby doesn’t build character, it shows character.” Through Marlene’s personal connections with Rugby Canada, and the support of QMS, she was provided the resources needed to make her goal a reality. In April 2018, QMS hosted the inaugural Royals Rugby Sevens Tournament at the Cowichan Rugby Club with eight island teams participating. “This sport draws forth dedicated athletes, and the tournament was a huge success in showcasing the strength and tenacity these girls showed all season.”
Yet, the tournament also meant a major set-back for Skye who suffered a broken ankle in the final match, ending her season and the Royals’ ability to compete in the Island Championships. “Injuries are part of sport,” she shrugs. “I intend to play again this fall and want to continue playing this sport long after I graduate. It’s something I don’t ever want to give up.”
With interest clearly building, Donaldson is strengthening connections with local clubs to continue providing growth opportunities for her players and linking Rugby Canada with the QMS Junior School athletics program as a pathway for younger athletes. “I find that any time I discover new opportunities for students to try and excel, it gets me excited,” says Donaldson.
Skye’s message to anyone wanting to attempt rugby sevens? “Rugby sevens is a very fast game, so it pays to put in the fitness training,” she advises. “Make mistakes! They teach you how to be a better player and keep trying until you get the next tackle.”