RCDA Graduating Class: 2018-19

Hear from a selection of these players on their favourite academy moments, and the impact the program has had on their lives.

1.     Kendra Cousineau – Guelph University

What was your favourite moment during your time with the Rugby Canada Development Academy?

My favourite moment this year was the final tournament of the year, the Next Gen tournament. It was super exciting to see how far we’ve come since the beginning of the year. I recognized how we came together and worked well as a team. I also enjoyed traveling this year. The Japan tournament was a great experience both on and off the field. It was interesting to learn more about a new culture and trying new things.

What are some of the biggest things you will take away from the RCDA; in rugby and in life?

Your team becomes your family. Moving away from home was tough but without the constant support of teammates and coaches it made the year that much easier. Learning to work with others and adapt to peoples personalities was a great experience. My RCDA team were some of my biggest supporters. I will always cherish the friendships that I have made.

2.     Maddy Kushner – Queens University

What was your favourite moment during your time with the Rugby Canada Development Academy?

My favourite moment was winning in the BC place stadium during the Men’s 7’s tournament. I scored 2 tries and loved knowing that my family back in Ottawa was watching.

What are some of the biggest things you will take away from the RCDA; in rugby and in life?

The biggest thing that I will take from the RCDA are the skills that I have developed this year. Not just skills in rugby but I have learned many new life skills as well. Being away from my family has forced me to develop an independence helping me to motivate myself on my own. I have also made many amazing lifelong friends!

3.     Ella O’Regan – University of Victoria

What was your favourite moment during your time with the Rugby Canada Development Academy?

One of my favorite moments during my time with the Rugby Canada Development Academy was when we won the NextGen tournament in Langford this May. It was our last game that we played together as a team, and we left it all out on the field. We all wanted to work hard for each other and end this year strong, and that's what we did! It was an incredible moment that I got to share with some of my best friends.

What are some of the biggest things you will take away from the RCDA; in rugby and in life?

Because of the training we do every day, I’ve learned I can do more than I think I can, and even when I think I have nothing left in me, I can push through the fatigue and give more effort.

Another essential lesson I have learned through my coaches at the Rugby Canada Development Academy is that intent is very important- not just in training, but in life. Having a clear goal and going into something knowing what you want to get out of it is definitely necessary if you want to improve.

4.    Maggie Mackinnon – University of Victoria

What was your favourite moment during your time with the Rugby Canada Development Academy?

When we won western championships in Edmonton. For me, this was definitely one of our most fun tournaments and trips of the year. We had to persevere through a few tough games but ended up coming out on top and bringing home a trophy!

The second moment that stood out to me from this year was winning the Next Gen 7’s tournament. Although I was injured and unable to play, watching our team represent and win in finals in front of hundreds of people was amazing.

What are some of the biggest things you will take away from the RCDA; in rugby and in life?

I have learned a lot about myself and how much I can handle. By pushing my body and mind through the hardest days of training and still having to attend school after just shows me how much I can stretch my limits. Being in such a high performance environment has made me really learn that I am capable of so much and that if I continue to push myself, I can reach greater limits. 

5.    Maelle Reed – University of Victoria

What was your favourite moment during your time with the Rugby Canada Development Academy?

One of my favourite moments in the RCDA this year was playing and winning in half time tournaments at both Canada Sevens tournaments (NextGen7s). Playing in front of a crowd like that was such an amazing experience, and we were able to display everything we had been working on in the daily training environment to our community and ourselves.

What are some of the biggest things you will take away from the RCDA; in rugby and in life?

The RCDA has taught me many things, but most importantly I have learned the importance of resilience and intent. You have to realize that you will face setbacks when achieving your goals, and if you can overcome those setbacks it will only make you stronger. Going out to every training session with a “Why” in mind allows you to get the best out of yourself, and raise the level of play for your teammates

6.     Zoe Williams – University of Victoria

What was your favourite moment(s) during your time with the Rugby Canada Development Academy?

My favourite moment of this year was when we all started to act as a team, started working with each other instead of as individuals.

What are some of the biggest things you will take away from the RCDA; in rugby and in life?

The biggest thing I’m going to walk away with is that no matter how hard something is if you truly want it, it won’t matter how hard it’s going to be for you to get what you want, you just have to work your best until you reach it.

7.     Madison Jumeau – University of Victoria

What was your favourite moment during your time with the Rugby Canada Development Academy?

One of my favourite moments in the academy was meeting everyone for the first time. Everyone’s personalities are so diverse and I really enjoyed getting to know everyone and for all of them to get to know me. I felt incredibly welcome by the team and the coaches and I would not have wanted that experience to go any other way.

What are some of the biggest things you will take away from the RCDA; in rugby and in life?

I have learned to have confidence in myself and to do everything at 100%, because not only are you counting on yourself to do well, but those around you are expecting something good from you as well to help the team.

Rugby Canada would like to congratulate all of the Rugby Canada Development academy graduates and wish them the best in all future endeavours.

The full list of graduates include:

Cassie Jorgenson
Maelle Reed
Beth Cudmore
Ella O’Regan
Zoe Williams
Maddy Kushner
Maggie Mackinnon
Madison Jumeau
Kendra Cousineau
Madi Grant