Balmy Beach Rugby Club’s U16 girls team wins gold medal at regional championships

By MATTHEW STEPHENS

The Balmy Beach Rugby Club’s under-16 girls’ team recently team took home the gold medal at the West Regional Finals in London, Ontario.

“The U16 Balmy Beach Girls Rugby Team capped off a remarkable season by finishing at the top of their division and securing victory in the West Regional Finals,” said Kyle Nichols, head coach of the team

In the Rugby Ontario West Regional Finals championship game, the Balmy Beach girls earned the gold medal after defeating Waterloo County 22-7.

Nichols said the team had an outstanding season, despite the having less players than most of their competitors. 

“In just a few short years since the program’s inception, and taking a one squad approach of girls supporting and teams supporting teams, the club has built a foundation of resilience and determination in our players, our teams and the program,” said Nichols.

“Despite frequently competing against larger squads with deeper benches, the team consistently rose to the challenge—showing not only skill on the field, but also moxie, grit, camaraderie, and unwavering determination.”

Celebrating the players’ unwavering efforts to bolster the team’s strength, Nichols expressed appreciation for both new and returning members this season.

“This year’s roster reflected a healthy balance of returning stalwarts and new age-grade players, further strengthened by U14 athletes who stepped up to compete at a higher level. This mix of experience and youthful energy created a dynamic squad that could adapt to any challenge thrown their way,” said Nichols.

According to Nichols, several members of the Balmy Beach team have been identified for regional representative opportunities at both the U15 and U17 levels, a fact he said serves as a testament to “the quality and depth of rugby being developed at the club.”

Nichols believes the future of girls’ rugby at the club is looking brighter with each passing season, which has been encouraging a rise in participation and intensity. 

In light of the rising popularity of girls rugby, Balmy Beach is now looking to get girls into the sport at a younger age, with the introduction of its first ever U12 girls’ team.

U-12 team head coach Matt Bernardo said the girls in the new team had an opportunity to learn from Balmy Beach girls’ teams playing at higher age levels. 

“This year, for the first time we were able to run a dedicated U12 girls’ team.  The girls were a great success on and off the field and competed fiercely (and successfully) in the girls’ divisions of major tournaments,” said Bernardo.

“U12 girls had the best of both worlds in training this year, working with the older U14 and U16 girls one day a week who provided support, mentorship and positive role models on and off the field.”

Organizer Tanis Burton said the rugby program at Balmy Beach continues to grow, along with the popularity of women’s sports on a global scale.

“The girls’ program is building tremendous momentum in the community and with the Canadian women’s (rugby) dominance in the world stage – silver in 7s last year at the summer Olympics and the 15s team is currently headed to World Cup in England,” said Burton. 

For U16 coach Nichols, rising attraction to the sport is the combined result of player dedication and club support.

“For Balmy Beach, this growth is the product of years of dedicated effort in attracting and retaining players, combined with the relentless determination forged under the heat and humidity of Ontario summers,” said Nichols.

“The result: a program that is not only competing, but excelling—proving that the future of girls’ rugby at Balmy Beach is brighter than ever.”

For more information on the Balmy Beach Rugby Club, please go to https://balmybeachrugby.com/