The girls rugby season has come to a close and graduating Gryphons can always think back with fond, grass-strained memories. For one player, in particular, she’ll also have something a little more tangible.
Vice-captain, prop, and flanker Elise Huisman is a 12th-grade student who has been playing with the team for 5 years.
After their provincial tournament, and season, ended, Huisman was award the President’s 15 Award for Rugby Excellence, an awArd given to the team’s MVP as chosen by other coaches.
Huisman explains why she think she won the award:
“I believe I was chosen because I have a real passion for the sport. So much dedication for me went through to my team on and off the field,” she says.
She doesn’t take all the credit for her success, despite the recognition, saying that “rugby is a big family and just seeing girl cheer for each other, knowing that we built a family makes me overjoyed. We love each other.”
While Huisman is hanging up her cleats on her high school career, she says she will be around Smithers next year and hopes to be an assistant coach with the team.
Elise Huisman from SSS (right) was one of the recipients of the President’s 15Â Award. Keeley Williams from HSS (left) also won the award. Photo submitted by Nora Kerr.
