Trojans Rugby: Building a legacy of grit, growth and greatness

The SAIT Trojans rugby program started in 2018, and since then it has seen several exciting changes. Today, SAIT’s Athletics and Recreation Department is energized by the momentum rugby is building—on campus, in Calgary, and across Canada.

“The rugby community is one of inclusion, character, and grit. All things that the Trojans believe in,’ said Lauren Kucera, Manager of Athletics and Recreation. “We are very proud of the growth our rugby teams have made over the past few years and are excited to see what’s next. The fact that we can now field a full women’s 15s team and are close to two full teams on the men’s side is a testament to the growth of this sport on campus”.

This progress has led to the next evolution of rugby at SAIT: the separation of the women’s and men’s rugby programs, complete with the appointment of head coaches and support staff for both. Each team now competes officially in the Prairie University Rugby Conference (PURC/PUWRC), with the women’s side earning the conference’s inaugural women’s championship in 2024.

Leading the women’s dominance and setting her sights on a repeat in the 2025–26 season is head coach, Kate Kimbrell.

Kimbrell played club rugby at Louisiana State University and holds her NCCP World Rugby Level 2 coaching certification. She currently serves as VP of Communications for the Bow Valley Rugby Club and was named PUWRC Coach of the Year in 2024.

“Kate is a force to be reckoned with. She is passionate about promoting the sport of rugby and pushing our athletes to be their best,” Kucera stated. “As a player herself, she knows exactly what it takes to succeed and expects as much out of herself as she does her athletes. Kate is a leader in women’s rugby, and we’re extremely lucky to have her leading our team.”

Kimbrell says that while championships are the ultimate goal, she hopes to shape leaders who embody what it means to be a SAIT Trojan.

"I'm thrilled to be on this journey with the SAIT Women's Rugby Program. Our focus is on developing players who lead with character and prioritize hard work and team culture,” she said. “The coaching staff hopes to continue to build a strong foundation for long-term success within our program and across the women's rugby scene in south Alberta and the prairies." 

The Trojans men’s team is now under the direction of Tyler Hawes, whose extensive rugby background includes representing Canada at the Senior Men’s Canada A level, Canada East, and the Canadian Classics. He has played internationally, founded the Rocky Mountain Rugby Academy and the Bow Valley Rugby Club Men’s Team, and has coached at domestic, provincial, and international levels.

“Our men’s rugby team has been increasing in size and talent over the past few years, and I’m excited to see what they can do with Tyler at the helm,” Kucera said. “Tyler understands the balance between the drive to succeed and creating a team that promotes inclusion, community, and a sense of belonging.”

"I’m grateful for the chance to be a part of the Trojans program and to give back to a sport and school that have given me so much,” Hawes added. “I’m passionate about growing rugby and looking forward to helping the people who play it grow, both on and off the pitch." 

Supporting our head coaches is an impressive group of rugby players and coaches who are committed to pushing our teams toward success - both on and off the pitch.

Rounding out the women’s rugby coaching staff are Cheryl So and Agnes Tse - both former professional players from Hong Kong. With a wealth of experience and formal education in coaching, So and Tse are now sharing their expertise with the Calgary and SAIT rugby communities, bringing a global perspective and high-performance mindset to the program.

On the men’s sideline, Ethan Shia, a proud SAIT alumnus, joins forces with Cody Snoxell - both of whom are active coaches and players with the Bow Valley Grizzlies. Their passion for the game and dedication to athlete development have been instrumental in SAIT’s rugby growth over the past few seasons, and their leadership continues to shape the future of the program.

Rugby season kicks off with outdoor 15s in September, followed by indoor 7s during the winter semester.

For more information or to get in touch with our coaches, email trojans.rugby@sait.ca and follow @saittrojans on Instagram for updates on tryouts and talent ID camps.

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