Excalibur Rugby Teammates Invited to Train With the Toronto Arrows
Trent student-athletes are taking their love of rugby and skill level to a whole other level via the Toronto Arrows Academy Athletes Program
Trent student-athletes Emerson Prior and Darby Bradley came to rugby in different ways but their love of the game now has them sharing a common path.
Both helped the Excalibur men’s rugby team reach the OUA bronze medal final in November but, more to the point, their strong play and dedication was noticed, leading to an invitation to the 2020 Toronto Arrows Academy Athletes Program, an intensive skills development camp overseen by Canada’s first professional rugby union team.
“I want to play rugby at the highest level possible, whether that be with the Toronto Arrows or overseas,” explains Mr. Prior, a fourth-year Nursing student who will graduate this year.
“I played a lot of soccer and football growing up. I didn’t get into rugby until Grade 9. I just thought I’d try it. I immediately fell in love with it. After playing for a couple of years, I thought I could try it at university and have a fun time with it.”
That paid off handsomely for the Gananoque native, earning him a roster spot with the Canada Under-19 and Under-20 squads, as well as a few earlier training sessions with the Arrows program.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bradley, who will graduate this spring from the Trent School of Education, also played rugby in high school but turned his attention full-time to football when he attended the University of Windsor as an undergrad.
“When the dream of playing pro football faded, I switched over (to rugby), seeing the opportunity to come here (Trent) and be part of a team,” notes Mr. Bradley.
Both highly credit their Excalibur experience with providing the opportunity to take their game to the next level.
“Excalibur prepared me well for this, not just athletically but as a person,” says Mr. Bradley, adding, “Excalibur has a real family atmosphere which I think is unique to Trent.”
Mr. Prior also references the Excalibur “culture,” adding playing for head coach Tom McLeod provided him with an experience “that wasn’t only about maximum performance but was also really inclusive, stating “The coaches pushed me to be a better athlete and a better leader.”
The Arrows training program sees both travel together to Kingston each Saturday for two practice sessions. Ahead is a limited schedule of games in the spring as well as matches against other academy program sides. And as one would expect, much of that car ride is spent discussing the sport they share a passion for.
“Rugby is a spectacle to watch as a game and it’s even more fun to play…I fell in love with it immediately,” says Mr. Prior.