Georgian building women's rugby sevens team, searching for coach

In a move that reflects a commitment to expanding opportunities for female athletes, Georgian College is taking significant steps to launch a women’s rugby sevens team.

The approach is part of a broader strategy to balance offerings in men’s and women’s sports and provide more equitable opportunities for all students.

"Expanding our varsity sport offerings has been on our radar for years," says Jeff Harris, Georgian’s manager of varsity athletics and recreation.

The push for a women’s rugby team stems from the desire to balance the growing demand for male-dominated sports, particularly in rugby, while creating new avenues for female athletes. With rugby sevens in popularity, the women's team seems like a perfect fit.

"We’re seeing a lot of interest in rugby sevens and it’s a sport that aligns well with what we already offer in our men’s program," Harris explains. "Additionally, there are solid feeder systems through high schools and local clubs, particularly in the Simcoe County area where rugby is quite popular."

The game plan to establishing the women’s rugby team involves a structured process, starting with the approval from the college and student government.  

"Since we are student-funded, it's essential that we follow the formal procedures, including securing the necessary approvals from the college and the OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association)," he noted.

After months of planning and discussions, the decision to move forward was officially made in December. With approval in place, the next steps include recruiting a head coach and continuing to build the foundation of the team through recruitment and outreach efforts.

The college is already seeing interest in the program through current and future students.

Additionally, the college is taking proactive measures to connect with female athletes in the region, with plans to reach out to potential recruits during their spring rugby kickoff event.

Georgian is planning its second spring kickoff for both boys and girls, with 10 to 12 teams expected. Harris sees it as a great launching pad to engage female athletes, some of whom have been participating in boys’ teams.

Wheels are already in motion to find a coach for the team. Ideally the coach will be in place by April, just in time for the kickoff.

The team’s official launch is set for fall of 2026, with a 2025 exhibition season leading up to it with a starting group of 20 to 25 for the fall season for a final roster of 15 to 20 players.

The exhibition season will include scrimmages and tournaments across Ontario and the United States. These events will give players a taste of what the team will look like and provide them with valuable experience before the official season begins.

The women’s rugby sevens team is supported by student government funding through athletic fees, which cover everything from travel expenses to athletic therapy and equipment. This funding is part of a larger commitment to enhancing the overall athletic program at the college, which includes varsity sports, recreational programs and fitness classes.

“As we have a men’s rugby team and they are doing well … there are a lot of students asking for a women’s rugby team,” says Dikshant Thukral, Barrie Georgian College Students' Association president, adding that the organization works for the college’s students.

Development of the team, says Harris, will enhance and build upon the existing rugby infrastructure in the community. It also nicely follows Canada’s success in the sport on the world’s stage with Canada’s women’s team winning a silver medal at the Olympics in Paris last summer.

The hope is that this new program will have a positive impact on student enrolment as well, both for domestic students and those from Simcoe County.

While rugby sevens is set to take off in the short term, the college’s future plans also include the potential introduction of men’s and women’s outdoor soccer teams, further broadening the scope of varsity offerings.