Young Coyotes look to teamwork for success

By Lethbridge Herald on April 11, 2023.

Herald photo by JUSTIN SEWARD Chinook Coyotes Alyssa Larkin attempts to hand the ball off to receiver Marah Stonehocker during practice last week.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Chinook Coyotes senior girls rugby coach Alaya French feels this year’s roster is shaping up pretty good despite the amount of returnees is less than 50 per cent of the total team this season.

“We’re vastly rookies,” said French.

“We picked up a lot of Grade 10s and 11s, couple of Grade 12s — like a lot of it’s really new. But they’re picking it up really well, they’re putting in a lot of effort and I’m seeing a lot of skill. I was surprised a lot by the skills that a lot of the girls naturally have. Like the first couple of days out here, we were hitting, we were rucking and they were doing it like they were pros.”

French said it’s a good time, when it comes to the challenge of coaching a team of mostly rookies.

“I have high hopes for this team because the returning players that are coming back have tons of skill and great leadership,” said French.

“And they’re always helping out the girls who have less experience or not doing well, and together everybody is just lifting each other up, encouraging each other, teaching each other  and it’s this whole big thing moving together forward.”

French thinks it’s their drive and teamwork that will lead to the team to success.

“All of the girls are hungry for wins,” said French.

“We made it to the semi-final last year and we lost by like a hair in the dying minutes. It was really frustrating. I think it really sparked something in us this year to really give it everything we’ve got.”

As far as short-term goals, French just wants the players to understand the game, under the flow and get in skills.

“Safety’s a huge thing for me,” said French.

“So as long as we’re tackling properly, and rucking properly and doing it safe.  Because rugby’s kind of a game of longevity. The less injuries you have and the more you can work, the better it is towards the end of the season when you can have all of your players at 100 per cent.”

Grade 12 Tylee Orr thinks the team is pretty decent and tight knit.

“I think going into the season we’re going to smash it, it’s going to be good,” said Orr.

Orr tries to set an example and helps out where she can in without being pushy or controlling any situations.

“I think that our teamwork is going to help us a lot because I feel like our group is very close, and we’re all super fun and like having a good time with each other ,” said Orr.

“We’re just all friends.”

Lucy Fallwell is a Grade 11 rookie on the team.

“It’s been super easy to learn, especially with our coaches doing such a good job,” said Fallwell.

“It’s a lot of fun to learn. It’s easy to pick up too.”

While Fallwell would like to focus improving this year, she wants to see the girls go somewhere because she believes the team has the skills to.

The girls will open up against Raymond on April 20 at Chinook High School at 5:30 p.m.