Dairy Farmers Of Canada Present Fueling Women's Champions: Laura Russell Continues To Prove Herself On The International Stage
Laura Russell is a native of Bolton, Ontario and a mainstay on the Canadian National Fifteens program, along with her sister Kelly. The two Russell sisters have excelled with Canada, as of late, as Kelly recently won Olympic bronze with the sevens team and Laura remains an offensive catalyst for the fifteens program. Kelly has recently made the switch back to the fifteens program and the two have their sights on the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2017.
Laura has always been involved in sports. In fact, after starting in elementary school, the Bolton native cannot remember a time when she wasn’t playing a sport.
“As soon as I was able, my parents put us (my older sisters and I) into sport, but I started competing with school in Grade 3, when I joined the volleyball team,” said Russell.
Growing up, Laura played many sports throughout her school education. When she was in High School, she was playing multiple representative sports in her community, juggling both an education and time commitment to each team.
She notes her parents for being supportive throughout all her sporting ventures, attending and traveling to all of her games - something they still do today.
“My parents and older sister Jenn have followed [Kelly and I] around the world supporting us in mostly rugby, but every sport which led to rugby as well,” she fondly recollected.
Though Russell dominated in many sports, she had a special aptitude for rugby. Laura started playing rugby for the Toronto Nomads; the same club her sister Kelly and father Sandy had also represented.
Laura had the opportunity to see Kelly start playing rugby, in a high performance format early on and this gave her inspiration to also venture in that direction. Kelly began her Provincial career with the Ontario Junior Storm. The next year she made the team, and that led her to the Junior National program.
Russell also took her talents to the collegiate level, playing for the Western Mustangs, following in the footsteps of both Jenn and Kelly. In 2009, Laura won the Shiels Division Player of the Year and won an OUA Gold Medal in 2008. She is now an Assistant Coach with the University of Victoria Vikings Women’s Rugby team.
Laura sees her older sisters as role models for her career. She had the opportunity to watch Kelly grow as a rugby player, and see where the journey of being a rugby athlete could bring someone. On top of this, her sister Jenn also played rugby, though her career was cut short due to injury. Jenn is coach of the Ontario Storm U18 Central Hub program, as well as the head coach of York University's Women's Rugby team.
“My older sisters have been my biggest role models both in different ways,” she said. “I've been surrounded by amazing talented athletes who have the same goals as me which was very helpful in pursuing my goals.”
Sports was a medium for connecting the sisters. Laura recognizes her sisters as role models, but also teachers in most of the sports that she played.
“I've been pretty lucky to be surrounded by amazing people in sport and even luckier that my both my older sisters played the same sports as me now and growing up,” she explained. “Whenever I'm stuck or struggling with anything, they are both there to help me out.”
Laura also attributes her successes to her many teammates and coaches who have helped her along the way.
“With rugby, your teammates become friends that turn into family and that's a big part my love of rugby,” Russell explained. “I have been very lucky with the coaches I have had along the way that have inspired me to stay in rugby and who pushed me to reach my potential, each in a different way.”
Laura notes one of the biggest struggles, as a national team player is the Pay to Play Model.
“Up until this year we have had a pay-to-play model with the national program,” she described. “With tours costing a few thousand dollars each and also taking time off work without pay while you're gone (tours are usually 2 weeks +). We've been very lucky recently with the introduction of the Monty Heald Fund, that is funding the National 15s team and its development programs.”
It is evident that sometimes, these struggles are hard to endure. Laura has seen friends and teammates go through these hard times and unfortunately, drop out of sport.
“I have seen many team mates drop out of sport, many for were trying to combat the pay to play model,” Russell remembered. “For others it takes up too much time and they want to try something new, some due to injury, some want to focus on school or careers and doing both is too much.”
Though Laura has never wanted to drop out of sports, she can see why others do. The commitment of time and money can be detrimental, especially when an injury can set you back immensely. She cites her love for the game and support from her friends and family as a reason why she has been able to keep going and get to where she is today.
Laura will continue to represent Canada on the international stage, as they prepare for the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland.
"As champions of healthy living, providing nutrition and playing an active role in our communities, Canada’s dairy farmers’ mission is to see that no hurdle exists that might hinder the passion for the game. The goal: to support women’s sports so they will become more watched, more appreciated and more financially stable, from the grassroots level to the elite level.
The Champions Fund, as an extension of Fuelling Women Champions, aims to inspire girls and women, regardless of age or ability, in local communities across Canada to realize the universal benefits of sport. Visit women champions.ca to learn more”
