LENNOXVILLE, Que. – After a year where the Gaiters graduated several veterans, the 2023-24 women's rugby team will have a new look and bring new energy onto the pitch. Bishop's opens the 2023 RSEQ University campaign on Thursday in Montreal against the McGill Martlets.
The Team
The Gaiters will look to keep raising the bar. With the young team they will be working to establish a foundation for years to come.
"I feel like we are farther along at this point than we have been in the past," said Gaiters' head coach
Tom Whyld. "I'm excited for us to get on the pitch and to start challenging more teams."
The Veterans
Bishop's returns 2022 all-star
Melody Leggett (Gatineau, QC/Heritage College). She's joined by reigning Bishop's University Academic Student-Athlete of the Year
Zenith Leroux (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC/John Abbott College). Gabrille Leverette has also found a home on the back row after playing a few different positions in the last couple of seasons.
The Rookies
Saide Bull (Okotoks, Alta.) and transfer Jetta Driscoll (Gatineau, Que.) seem poised to step in and contribute right away. Look for several of the other 19 freshmen to also play key roles throughout the season.
The Coaches
Head coach
Tom Whyld enters his 6
th season at the helm of the women's rugby program. He'll be assisted by Ewan Lawton,
Myriam Elkas (Sherbrooke, QC/Champlain-Lennoxville),
Trisha Shufelt (Brome, QC/Cegep de Sherbrooke), Nic Clapinson, Tshidi Thaane and James Murray.
The Schedule
Bishop's opens on the road at McGill on Thursday night before returning home on Sept. 10 to face the Concordia Stingers at 1 p.m.
The six-game schedule will see Bishop's play each of their RSEQ foes a single time. Other home games are Oct. 1 and Oct. 8.
Tickets for all Gaiters home games are available at
www.gaiters.ca/tickets.
Follow the Gaiters on Instagram @GaitersWRG or @BishopsGaiters and stay up to date at
www.gaiters.ca.
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