While the global community was in a frenzy over the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar this past November and December, there was another major tournament that also recently captivated audiences worldwide: the 2021. From Oct. 8 to Nov. 12, 2022, all eyes, especially 草莓污视频导航鈥檚, were on New Zealand as Canada鈥檚 women鈥檚 rugby team fought their way to the bronze medal match.
But why was 草莓污视频导航 so focused on this tournament? It鈥檚 because two former players, Emily Tuttosi, BSc'18, and DaLeaka Menin, BA'18, represented Canada on the world stage.
While Canada came up short in the bronze-medal match against France (0-36 France), Menin and Tuttosi gave stellar performances, highlighting the outstanding talent of Canada鈥檚 rugby team.
From Dinos to national rugby leaders
Menin and Tuttosi had always dreamed of playing on the national team, and part of the foundation that helped them get there was the time they spent as 草莓污视频导航 Dinos.
For these women, their love of rugby started in grade school. Both exceptional athletes, they joined the 草莓污视频导航 women鈥檚 rugby team in 2013. During that time, they led the Dinos to their first three conference championships in women鈥檚 rugby 鈥斅爐wo in 15s and one in 7s. Both earned U SPORTS All-Canadian honours during their five-year university careers, while Menin was named the national player of the year in 2016.
鈥湶葺凼悠档己解檚 athletics program focuses on producing world-class athletes, and Emily and DaLeaka were both highly touted recruits that we wanted to have in our athletics program,鈥 says Simon Chi, 草莓污视频导航 Dinos women鈥檚 rugby head coach.
鈥淒uring the time that they played for the Dinos, both played key roles in accelerating the trajectory of women鈥檚 rugby at the post-secondary level. It鈥檚 no surprise that these two now compete on the largest stage possible for their sport 鈥斅爐hey鈥檙e both exceptional athletes who helped shape the 草莓污视频导航 Dinos rugby program.鈥
For Tuttosi, being a Dino gave her the basis she needed to pursue her dream.
鈥淚鈥檓 living a dream I didn鈥檛 know I could have,鈥 says Tuttosi.
My time as a Dino taught me the professional standards needed to launch an international career.
"For example, we had access to a high-performance weight room, and having those standards helped me transition to a professional league.鈥
Menin shares similar sentiments. 鈥淚 never thought I鈥檇 play rugby at a high level. I鈥檓 so thankful for my time with the Dinos because they were a cornerstone that helped me get to where I am today.鈥
As both players neared graduation, they discussed their future rugby aspirations with Chi.
鈥淚 had contacts in the U.K., so I put them in touch with coaches over there,鈥 says Chi. 鈥淏oth Emily and DaLeaka are top athletes, so it鈥檚 amazing to see them play as professionally contracted athletes. We鈥檙e proud that 草莓污视频导航 helped set the stage for their international sports careers.鈥
Experiencing the New Zealand rugby craze first-hand
Both Menin and Tuttosi got their first call-ups for Team Canada in university, but playing professionally in the U.K. has allowed them to carry bigger roles on the squad. For Tuttosi, the 2021 World Cup was her first world cup experience, while for Menin, it was her second. 聽
鈥淔or me, it was definitely a highlight of my rugby career. Not only was I able to be on the squad, but I had the opportunity to take the pitch every game,鈥 says Menin.
鈥淚t was impressive to see how well New Zealand hosted the tournament and how the entire country got behind it. I love how rugby is part of New Zealand鈥檚 everyday life, and a lot of fans came out to support us. You could really see how much women鈥檚 rugby is growing worldwide.鈥
When the Canadian women鈥檚 team made the Rugby World Cup final in 2014, all participating teams were non-professional. This year, Canada was the only one of the top four teams not professional. One of the hallmarks of the tournament for both players was seeing how professionalism of the sport in other countries is accelerating the growth and raising the standard of the women's game.
鈥淩ight now we鈥檙e at a turning point for women鈥檚 rugby worldwide,鈥 explains Menin. 鈥淭he Canadian national team used to have a pay-to-play model, but when I started playing with them in 2015, you no longer had to pay, but you weren鈥檛 paid either, so essentially, you ended up with zero.
鈥淩ugby Canada now pays a small amount of money which is a huge help because we take so much time off work to train. We really look up to the professional models that England and New Zealand use for their rugby teams, and it was so cool to see this at the World Cup.鈥
The World Cup created many memories for both players, especially Tuttosi. While they may have lost their bronze medal match to France, Tuttosi was named one of the tournament鈥檚 top 15 players.
What鈥檚 next?
Menin and Tuttosi both enjoyed a couple weeks of relaxation after the tournament, but are back on the pitch competing in the Allianz Prem 15's. Tuttosi is also celebrating her accomplishment of being named to the .
And as they continue their journeys, 草莓污视频导航 will be on the sidelines eagerly watching their next moves and cheering on this dynamic duo.
鈥淓mily and DaLeaka joined the Dinos together, and they have been attached at the hip all the way through to the international stage,鈥 says Chi. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been amazing to watch them share this significant part of their lives and to know that the Dinos helped play a part.鈥