CORNWALL, Ontario – For Jenna Goulet, rugby is more than a hard-hitting sport.
“I used to be really shy, and had low self-esteem – everything changed when I started playing,” said the Grade 11 student at St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School in Cornwall.
Rugby has taken Goulet, 16, as far as New Brunswick and Washington, D.C. Up next is British Columbia.
In early March, the St. Joe’s Panthers ladies’ rugby team will be guests in the City of Surrey with the Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School ladies’ rugby team, as part of the YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada Program.
Cornwall will host the B.C. squad in late May.
“We’ll be playing in tournaments, doing community service, and learning about rugby from a different prepective across Canada,” said Goulet. “I’ve never done anything like this. I’m really excited.”
The trip is federally funded through Exchanges Canada, but not all expenses are paid for. So the team has set a fundraising goal of $15,000.
To help collect money, students will be serving at Philo’s Restaurant in Cornwall for tips on select Monday nights in February (1, 8, 22, and 29).
Reserve your table under ‘St. Joe’s rugby’.
When Goulet and her team play host, the group will be travelling up to Parliament Hill to explore Ottawa and mingle with Surrey MP John Aldag and SD&SG MP Guy Lauzon.
“I’m working with my Liberal counterpart, and he’s working with me, on hosting a luncheon,” said Lauzon.
Goulet and her teammate, Sumiha Karunagaran, discussed the cultural exchange trip with him at his office on Friday (Jan 22).
“It’s not just academics, they’re fully-rounded students,” said Lauzon. “This experience will allow the teams to share their cultures and love of sports, while establishing lasting connections.”
Goulet credited her sisters for introducing her to rugby. In addition to the Panthers, she also plays for the Eastern Ontario Rugby Union U-18, Eastern Ontario Sevens, Brockville Sirens U-16, and Brockville Sirens U-18.
“I hope my fitness level grows great enough that I can compete in the Olympics,” said Goulet.
For more information, email St. Joe’s teacher Francys Harrison at Francys.Harrison@cdsbeo.on.ca.
