The P.A. Panthers (white jerseys) aren't backing down. (submitted photo/ Danette Senterre)

By Nigel Maxwell

Rugby

Panthers take the field

May 7, 2019 | 11:22 AM

Prince Albert’s first female rugby team has officially taken the field, and found early success.

Despite the majority of the players on the team having little to no experience, the Panthers played three games in Saskatoon last week and won their final game by a score of 30-15. Head Coach Danette Senterre was very impressed with the team’s work ethic.

“The head ref, he approached during their second game, and said never in his life had he seen a team hit the field where none of the players had ever played before,” she said.

Coach Senterre talks to the young team about game strategy at their practice Monday. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Election 2024

Former corrections officer running again in Ward 1

5h ago

Court proceedings

Not guilty verdict in Byron Bear murder case

18h ago

Armed robbery

Suspected robber caught after returning to the scene

23h ago

Senterre has been involved with rugby for 20 years and several months ago, during a conversation with a friend, came up with the idea came to her to start a girls’ team in Prince Albert. Her current squad consists of about 14 about players, ranging in age from 15 to 17. Isabella Beer is among the players on the team with no prior experience.

“I had a friend tell me about it and I just wanted to try it and showed up to practice and ended up loving it,” she said.

The team practices some drills Monday at PACI school field. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Assistant Coach Kiera Beauchesne has a wealth of rugby experience, including competition experience at both the provincial and national level. Beauchesne, who was also frustrated with having to travel to Saskatoon to practice, reached out to her teammates on the wrestling team.

“I knew they would love rugby as much I love rugby so I wanted to bring the love of the game to them,” she said.

The Panthers play their next game in Meadow Lake on Saturday.

—

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell