Koen Schroeder has made his mark on the international stage, helping Team Canada to a fifth-place finish at the 2026 World Rugby U20 Challenger Cup in Santiago, Chile.
Schroeder was one of 30 players named to the Canadian U20 men's rugby team and appeared in every game as a finisher. The third-year centre will aim to use this experience as a valuable stepping stone in his rugby career, both with Brock University at the Canadian university level and internationally with Canada going forward.
The Canadian squad went 2-2 overall in their tournament. They opened play with an impressive 95-6 win over Namibia on Oct. 2, then fell to Belgium 41-14 on Oct. 7. On Oct. 12, Team Canada narrowly fell to Portugal by a score of 28-26 and closed out the tournament on a high note with a dominating 61-24 win over Brazil to claim fifth place.
"We are so proud of Koen for all of the hard work and sacrifice he has put in to make the Canada U20 team," said Brock men's rugby head coach Sean Medeiros.
"Selection to this program is a significant accomplishment and a step towards inclusion in the National Sr. Men's program."
Alongside Schroeder, Kelan Barron, a first-year full back, was selected as a non-traveling reserve for the Canadian U20 men's rugby team.
"As an underage player in the program at just 18 years old, the future is very bright for Kelan, who continues to work hard and push towards full selection next year," added Medeiros.
Fellow Badger Grant Meadows was named to the team in 2023 and 2024, and Steven Commerford, current Brock men's rugby assistant coach and former Brock student-athlete, was selected in 2016.
With Meadows recently graduating from the program, Schroeder and Barron will be two key players for the Badgers in the future as Brock sets its sights on qualifying for the 2027 OUA playoffs.
"As a program we are fortunate to have these players in our environment to help drive standards and performance," Medeiros said.
"There are a number of young players in our group who will look to follow in Koen's footsteps next year as they compete for selection as well."
