Women In Rugby: Shelley Ince
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7th, 2022
(WHITBY, ON) - International Women’s Day will be celebrated on March 8th, 2022. In the lead up to the day, Rugby Ontario will be publishing features on various women in the rugby community from all across the province who are helping to grow the game. Today's feature is on Shelley Ince! Shelley began her rugby journey as a player with Markham RFC. Today, she is a coach for the Ajax Wanderers Junior Girls program, the TRU Elite Reds junior program and Henry Street High School girls team. Shelley was also recently voted in as Toronto Rugby Union President, the first female in the history of the TRU. Read below to learn more about Shelley!
How did you first get involved with rugby?
In the early 1990's a few friends of mine were playing for the Markham RFC and asked me to come out to a practice. They sold me on getting to hit people and the celebrations afterwards.
What is your favourite rugby memory?
Rugby has given me too many memories to list. The two that standout the most are the first time a girl that I coached told me I had been a part of her believing in herself and the best one yet, stepping on the field last year to play beside my daughter.
What do you love most about the sport?
The empowerment it gives to women and girls. The life long friendships you gain and the journey it takes you on to learn about yourself.
Do you have a female athlete/coach/match official who inspired you to get involved in sport?
Not really, it was the first time I stepped on the pitch to make my first tackle, the thrill of the game and of course being an young adult at the time, the social that came with being a part of a rugby club. Those are was inspired me to continue on in the sport.
What challenges have you faced as a female in sports?
Back when I played, there we not many women involved in the sport, so we had to play with hand-me-down jersey's, earlier kick off times then the rest of the clubs teams. It was the simple respect of being an athlete that was lacking.
What are some of the challenges women’s rugby continues to face?
Similar to my answer to questions #5. I have seen some of the same challenges today with the young girls I coach.
What can Rugby Ontario do to help grow Women’s Rugby?
I would like to see more more opportunities provided to have more women in coaching positions, make female junior programs a priority and showcase women and girls rugby.
What makes you feel the most optimistic and excited about the growth of women’s rugby?
Having a restart after the pandemic, I would like to see more women taking on roles of importance and influence in the rugby world. Women who are determined to continue to assist in the growth of women's rugby.
What would you say to a young female who is thinking of getting involved in rugby?
I would tell her to do it! You will make life long friends, learn so much about yourself and join a community that is like no other.
In an ideal world, what would the sport of rugby look like in 5 to 10 years?
More people playing, fully inclusive, a professional (paid) league for women and 15's makes it in to the Olympics!
ABOUT RUGBY ONTARIO
Rugby Ontario is the provincial sports governing body responsible for the organization of rugby in Ontario. Our mission is to lead, support and promote Rugby for All from communities to clubs to province. This mission signals a movement toward creating a more cohesive, supportive and progressive sporting environment that is responsive to the needs of all members.
To learn more, visit https://www.rugbyontario.com/
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
Dalton Finkbeiner
Communications and Marketing Coordinator - Rugby Ontario
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