Photo by Jenny Fisher.
In addition to their silver medals, the Trent Men’s Rugby Team picked up several additional Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) accolades on Saturday, November 8.
At a banquet that evening, the team’s head coach, David McCully, was named the OCAA men’s rugby coach of the year, player Hayden Ryan was named the East Division Rookie of the Year, and Spencer Sheffield and Allen Vo were listed as Rugby All-Stars.
The certificate awarded to McCully is an indication that other coaches in the league felt he did a respectable job coaching. “It’s voted on by the other coaches,” said McCully, “That’s about all the background we get on it to be honest. You choose who you thought has done the best job with their team in that given year.”
This is not the first time McCully has received the award, having been named coach of the year in 2012, the last time Trent made it to the OCAA finals.
McCully is adamant that he is not solely responsible for the coaching of the men’s team. “Really, it’s about the coaching team. I am the head coach, yes, but we’ve got a coaching team of four or five strong people,” he said, stating that the award belongs equally to the assistant coach Mike Bubyn, the team manager Ryan Gentles, the athletic therapist Daila Zairns, and the strength and conditioning lead Garth Myles. “I’m happy to accept the award on behalf of the coaching team,” he said.
Another impressive award that was presented that night was Hayden’s East Division Rookie of the Year. This means that Hayden, who plays as a winger, was recognized as the best first-year player in the Eastern OCAA division. Sheffield and Vo were recognized as some of the best players in their positions, scrum half and prop respectively.
Given Trent’s strong showing this season, it’s no surprise that coaches and players alike won awards.
Additionally, with few players graduating, the men’s team is on track to have another successful season next year.
