Nolan, Lowther At OUA Rugby Championships

When the Queens Gaels and Guelph Gryphons take to the field this weekend for the OUA Women’s Rugby championship, one local will be on the field, while another watches, from opposite sides.

UCC Lancers alumni, Sydnee Nolan has started at scrum-half all season for the Queens Gaels, playing an important role in their undefeated season to this point.

Across the field, Christine Lowther, another UCC Lancers alumni, has been a part of the Guelph Gryphons practice squad this season, an accomplishment in itself considering the depth and success of Guelph’s womens rugby team in recent years.

“UCC is extremely proud of both Sydnee Nolan and Christine Lowther,” said UCC Lancers mens rugby head coach Scott Morkin. “Both girls are hard working athletes and students. They both have been, and continue to be role models for the girls here at UCC. The UCC Lancers wish both Sydnee and Christine luck in the OUA Women’s rugby final.”

Nolan and the Queens Gaels defeated four Chatham-Kent rugby players competing with the Western Mustangs in the semi-final, as Western featured Breanne Nicholas, Tegan Williams, and Amber Nicholas, all graduates and products of Blenheim, and Gabby Desbiens, who is another UCC Lancers product.

UCC and Blenheim have both been producers of local rugby talent recently, with UCC also graduating Rachel King, who plays for the University of British Columbia rugby team.

“It is because of girls like Rachael King, Sydnee Nolan, Gabby Desbiens, and Christine Lowther,” says Morkin, “who continue to play at the University level, that Girls Rugby continues to grow in popularity at UCC. They are a big part of our rugby family here at UCC.”

Queens visits Guelph for the OUA championship Saturday, October 26 at 1:00pm.