Two Trent Rugby Players Make Provincial Squad

Two members of the Excalibur Women's Rugby team have been selected to the Ontario Under 23 team this summer. Melissa Bennett and Ali Harvey were among 25 players who were selected from across the province. This is the first summer Rugby Ontario has run an Under 23 team. It replaced the Senior Women's development team, which had no age restriction.

"We are very pleased for Melissa and Ali," said head coach Nancy Marcotte. "This is a great opportunity for them and it will be a great benefit to Trent Rugby."

The team will compete in the Ottawa Indians tournament in July then in August travel to Alberta for a training camp and games against the Canadian, American and Alberta Under 23 squads. "That level of competition can only make them better rugby players," Ms. Marcotte said.

Ms. Bennett, an outside centre and OUA all-star, is a nursing student going into her final year. According to Ms. Marcotte, she is just starting to realize her potential. "Mel didn't play rugby in high-school; she has learned the game in university but she has the ability and the attitude to play at the highest level," Ms. Marcotte said. "In the fall we expect she will make a major impact on the Russell Division."

Ms. Harvey is a Lock and a psychology major heading into her third year. Ms. Marcotte said being named to the team is a fitting reward for the amount of work Ms. Harvey has done over her career. "She is everything a Trent Rugby player is supposed to be," Ms. Marcotte said. "She has worked hard to improve every year, she is tough, she never quits and she always puts the team first. Ali is having a great summer with the Peterborough Pagans and I'm sure this will be a break-out fall for her with Trent."

Posted June 27, 2005