Ladysmith's Maggie Mycroft has committed to play rugby for the Calgary Dinos women's rugby team. When not on the pitch, Mycroft's post-secondary studies will be in kinesiology. The five-foot-eight flank is excited for the new challenge, according to her first official comments as a Dino.
“I’ve always wanted to play varsity rugby and becoming a Dino will allow me to do that," she said in the Dino's social media announcement of her signing. "I admire the passion, dedication, and team culture at U of C. I’m excited to learn alongside high-level athletes and very supportive coaches. I look forward to getting off of the island and pursuing my goals both athletically and academically in a new environment!"
The Cowichan Rugby Football Club's U18 girls Most Valuable Forward for 2024, Mycroft was most recently named to the BC Bears U18 Top 40 girls rugby training camp in Vancouver. She's also spent time with the U19 Team BC side, and with the Tsunami North Island Rugby program.
Mycroft graduated this spring from Queen Margaret's School in Duncan where she was captain of the girls' rugby team, played basketball, and ran cross country.
"She's an amazing athlete," said QMS physical education teacher, and coach, Nick Zuback. "She is the full package: an extremely hard worker and team player and is motivated to improve her and her teammates skills. It will be great to see how she continues to grow and develop at the University of Calgary."
Robin MacDowell of the McDowell Rugby Academy knows both the player and the school well.
"Maggie is a talented and powerful athlete," he said. "Calgary will be a great fit for Maggie, she’s ready for the USport competition. I have had the pleasure of working with the Dino’s women over the past few years. The culture that head coach Simon Chi and assistant coach Dave Lee have created is very positive. I'm happy to connect Maggie with Dino’s program."
Mycroft said she's grateful for MacDowell's support, as well as her other coaches at school and in club play.
"Training in the Cowichan Valley has opened up so many opportunities for me and connected me with this awesome rugby network of people, including Robin. I’m grateful for his support as he was the one who first introduced me to Dave, the assistant coach and recruiter for the Dinos. He has backed me through the entire process and I appreciate it."
As much as she appreciates the Cowichan region and all it offers, she can't wait to get started in Calgary.
"I’m excited about the idea of being in a new environment away from the island and making new connections with high-level athletes I’ve never played with before," Mycroft said. "I look forward to being part of a supportive, passionate and dedicated group with an awesome team culture and I can’t wait to pursue my goals both athletically and academically."
Mycroft and her younger sister Zoe have grown up with the sport so she knows she's got Zoe and her parents Paul and Brooke in her corner no matter what.
"As a family, we’ll be watching her progress closely and trying to attend as many matches as we can, both in Calgary and closer to home," Paul Mycroft said.
