The Brock Badgers women's rugby team announced the addition of three standout incoming student-athletes —Renee Engel, Olivia Bluhm and Ella Gray— to their roster, fortifying the team's depth and skill set ahead of the 2024 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) season.
Engel, a poised and dynamic fly half from St. Catharines, brings a wealth of experience and passion for the sport.
Her rugby journey began at Eden High School, where she demonstrated her prowess as a leader with the rugby team and played a key role with the Flyers at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) triple-A Girls Championships.
"Renee has an ever-growing rugby IQ and skill set, and is extremely coachable," said head coach Mark Smerdon. "The goal is to transition her into the fly half position for the future of this program."
She played club rugby with the Niagara Wasps and at the provincial level with the Ontario Blues where she showcased her adeptness on the field, contributing significantly to their victory in the Ontario Cup 2023.
Engel's decision to join Brock was fueled by the university's renowned support for student-athletes and the team environment, making it her top choice for pursuing studies in Medical Sciences.
"I chose to attend Brock for its outstanding academic support they provide especially for their student-athletes," Engel said. "The community has all of the opportunities I'm provided with to meet and connect with new people, and because of the intimate campus I have the opportunity to connect with profs and get more academic opportunities."
A native of Townsend in Haldimand County, Bluhm is describe by Smerdon as a versatile player specializing as a scrum half.
She arrives at Brock with a fervor for the game. Her tenure at Holy Trinity Catholic High School saw her captain the rugby team, instilling dedication and passion within her teammates.
"Liv brings exceptional athleticism and a strong work ethic," Smerdon said. "We see her providing us depth at the scrum half and back three positions."
Bluhm said her club team experiences with the Brantford Harlequins provided invaluable lessons and connections, shaping her into a skilled athlete.
Her admiration for Brock stemmed from the vibrant culture of the women's rugby team with an ambition to pursue Kinesiology.
"I'm looking forward to experiencing growth while meeting new people while playing the sport I love," said Bluhm.
Gray joins the Badgers as a back five from Burlington. She brings an abundance of leadership and dedication.
"Ella comes to us with a great work ethic and a dedication to fitness," Smerdon said. "We are excited to see what she will bring to us in the back row moving forward."
She led her high school rugby team at Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School while refining her skills with the Burlington Centaurs for five seasons.
"The U18 Centaurs season was when I evolved as an athlete. I refined my handling skills, explored different positions and improved my tackling," Gray said. "This was especially achieved under the guidance of Matt Woodley, my academy coach of five years."
Brock University's inviting culture and the welcome from the women's rugby team aligned seamlessly with Gray's aspirations to become an elementary teacher, cementing her decision to join the Badgers.
"Brock has the best program in Ontario for me to work towards becoming an elementary teacher," she said. "I connected with the current student-athletes and loved the culture of the Brock women's rugby team. After visiting the campus and meeting the team, I felt like I belonged there. I look forward to representing my dream school."
The Brock women's rugby team is looking forward to announcing further recruits leading up to the 2024 season.
"These three remarkable recruits epitomize skill, dedication, and a passion for rugby. Their arrival adds depth, versatility, and leadership to our team, promising an exciting season ahead," added Smerdon. "The shared ambition to excel both on and off the field perfectly align with Brock University's spirit of athletic and academic excellence."
