Trent Athletics Welcomes Eric Noyes as New Head Coach for Men’s Varsity Rugby
Coach Noyes to enhance commitment to excellence by student athletes on and off the field
Trent University is pleased to welcome Eric Noyes as the new Excalibur men’s rugby head coach for the 2022-23 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) season.
“With his experience and successful background, Coach Eric Noyes is a great addition to our Excalibur men’s rugby program,” said Deborah Bright-Brundle, director of Athletics and Recreation at Trent. “His knowledge and experience in the different levels of rugby development only adds to the competitive program we have built over the years, and we look forward to seeing the continued growth of our Excalibur rugby team under his leadership.
Coach Noyes joins the Excalibur program after spending the last three years as the assistant coach of the Durham Lords men’s rugby team. As assistant coach, he led the Lords to back-to-back Ontario Colleges Athletic Association championships in 2018 and 2019, adding a bronze medal in 2021.
Also prior to joining the Excalibur program, Coach Noyes has demonstrated his team leadership and player development skillset in roles with the Toronto Arrows (Elite Junior Academy Development Coach) and Oshawa Vikings RFC (U16 Women’s Head coach), among others. With his experience and the Excalibur men’s team track record of success, Coach Noyes says he is looking forward to building on “a program with a strong rugby tradition.”
“I’m excited to continue developing the professionalism of our program at Trent,” said Coach Noyes. “I feel it is incredibly important to position the rugby program in such a way that current student-athletes treat the program with a professional attitude, and for new players, to understand that by choosing Trent, they’ll be choosing a program that takes their development seriously.”
With his background as a teacher, Coach Noyes understands the balance of professional development in sport as well as the importance of academics and life-long learning, and he will support success on the field, in the classroom, and beyond.
“Success is universal,” Coach Noyes said. “Successful people are not simply successful in only one aspect of their lives; they are successful in all aspects. Fostering a mindset of academic success in our student-athletes, I believe, will translate positively into success on the field as well.”
Coach Noyes is stepping into the role as head coach at an opportune time, as the Excalibur men’s rugby team heads into the summer and ahead of next season ensuring a smooth transition that enhances and builds the momentum of the team for the fall.
“Coming into the Trent program, I want to build on the success that has been achieved here already, fostering a culture of excellence that existing players are familiar with,” Coach Noyes explains. “In everything we do, we’re going to do with great attention to detail and complete effort. In this journey to success, we need to be all in and pulling in the same direction.”
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
For more information contact:
Cara Walsh, Communications & Media Relations Officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6240 or carawalsh@trentu.ca