A Black Diamond rugby player will represent her country in this its 150th anniversary
Harley Tucker will play lock for U20 Team Canada women when they lock horns with their counterparts from the United States Aug. 3 and 7 in Ottawa.
“Our Canadian national team is playing an all-American team,” Tucker said. “I have not ever played against the Americans.
“I have watched them play and they are pretty heavy hitters, but we are too — also I think our forwards our very agile and athletic.”
It is the second time Tucker has had the opportunity to represent her country. She was a member of Canada’s U18 team that went to Britain in 2016.
Although she would love to win for her country, the ultimate goal is for the Canadians — and the Americans — is to work on their game.
“It is mostly a developmental thing — the goal is to eventually play in the World Cup,” Tucker said. “This is another stepping stone to getting there.
“While I am there, I plan to get the most out of coaches I can just to improve my overall game.”
She made the U20 squad after being scouted by coach Jen Boyd, who saw her play when Tucker made a trip out west with the Prairie Wolfpack to Kelowna the spring.
“She was there scouting and she selected the team after that,” Tucker said. “I’m really happy to be playing lock. I am pretty positive in my skills as a lock — I am not afraid to get in there and get things done.”
The Wolfpack were impressive in Kelowna, beating the squad from the Pacific Province in convincing fashion in both friendly matches.
The first thing Tucker will have to do in Ottawa is get to know the team. Although the world of elite women’s rugby is a small one, the first time the team gets together will be at practices prior to their friendlies against the Americans.
“That is kind of one obstacle that we face on these kind of tours,” Tucker said. “We are going to practice for three or four days before we play and that will definitely set the stage for us.”
Tucker is used to taking on new things.
After graduating from Oilfields High School in Black Diamond in 2016 — where she wall All-Everything for the Drillers rugby squad — Tucker traded beef country for lobster and apples.
Tucker played lock last fall with the Acadia University Axewomen.
She let her presence known in Wolfville, Nova Scotia immediately.
Tucker made second-team All-Canadian in what was her rookie year.
“It was a really good year for me,” she said. “I was able to start every game and I think I was able to play more than if I went somewhere else.
“It was a great experience.”
