Young leadership key for Coyotes

By Lethbridge Herald on April 21, 2025.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Chinook Coyotes varsity boys rugby team came into this season knowing they would have to integrate a lot of new players into the sport and they  will look to  combine that with the promising  up-and-coming  junior varsity players at the senior level in  hopes of finding success this season.

“It’s incredibly awesome to see the player development and their enjoyment of the sport said Connor Kopp, Chinook varsity boys head coach.

The junior varsity players that are coming up have found themselves in leadership roles whether that has required them trying a brand new position or something different from past years.

“It makes me really  proud of our team as a whole,” said Kopp.

“Both (our) coaching staff (and) as well as our players  have all been doing some incredible work this year.”

The younger and up and coming players will be expected to lead by example.

“We talk a lot about the nature of leadership and what it means to be a leader,” said Kopp.

“And one of those ways is leading by example, by setting  a tone …  inside the classroom ,inside the hallways of our school and on the rugby pitch.”

Intensity and passion are expected to be some key strengths this season for the Coyotes.

“It’s absolutely infectious how excited players are  throughout the week asking me about gametime decisions and what  is the plan for this week and next week,” said Kopp.

“I would say that our  biggest strength is definitely the passion for the sport that our players have demonstrated.”

Chinook’s goals are done through a focus on the process.

“some of our goals is definitely to fall in love with the process of becoming better rugby players and developing and growing as individuals, as student-athletes (and) as people,” said Kopp.