Written by: Angela Cummins
On April 24, as the sun began to set, KCI spirits kept rising at the 2025 Rugby Rumble. In what has become an annual tradition, the Raiders took on the WCI Vikings for a tripleheader featuring the Junior Boys, Varsity Girls, and Senior Boys teams.
The night ran smoothly thanks to the dedication of both players and organizers behind the scenes. Abby Wells, one of the event planners and a Girls’ Varsity player, reflected on the experience as a whole: “It was awesome to see all the hard work our team put into making this event happen and pay off,” she said. Abby continued by explaining that the Rugby Rumble isn't just about competition, it’s about building connection and spirit: “It was amazing to have an opportunity like this to make the rugby community grow even bigger. In the end, none of this could have happened if it hadn’t been for Ms. Salmon. So, a huge shout out to her!” Abby thanked all the staff and coaches who made this event possible.
Read more for additional details on each of the games!
KCI’s Junior Boys
The Junior Boys Rugby team opened the night with determination, but ultimately suffered a loss of 0-33. In spite of this, the players remained proud of the effort they brought to the field and reflected positively on the experience. For instance, Ryan Azeez, who played prop, commented, “The game was fun but definitely disappointing.” Cole Gardiner, inside center, backed the sentiment, saying “The game was an enjoyable experience, especially with the great atmosphere. It wasn't the outcome that we hoped for, but with a healthy and well-prepared team we can go a long way.”
On the field, the Raiders put up a fight. “Our defense was really good,” Ryan remarked, highlighting the team’s effort to stay disciplined. However, Ryan noted that gaining offensive momentum proved to be challenging: “Compared to other games, we didn’t do as good. We should’ve gotten the ball out of the rucks quicker which would make more time with the ball attacking on offense.” Cole built on this strategic thinking, explaining, “If we picked up the pace, and committed to tackles, it would have been a much closer game. Our team just needed to show up with more intensity and hold on to it throughout the game.”
While the score didn’t display a win, the Junior Boys left the field with valuable experience, newfound motivation, and a vision for improvement which is a win in itself. The team’s persevering mindset and determination to improve show that they are still reaching high to attain their potential.
KCI’s Varsity Girls
The KCI Girls Varsity team took the field next to pull off an incredible win of 53-0. Points were scored by: Marley Holmes - 10, Lucy Charteris - 15 (5 kicks, 1 try), Addi Uhrig - 10, Chloe Chan - 5, Zero Salamoni - 5, Matilda Moorehouse - 5, Blaire Naughton - 5. Winger and fly-half. Scotia Yorke, a grade 11 student and Varsity Girls player, discussed the hard work and dedication that went into the game: “We played pretty well. Our tackles were great and we broke through their line a lot. We were very prepared for that game.” Scotia’s teammate, Mabel Schellenberg, who plays scrum half and wing, echoed the sentiment by adding that it was “one of our most organized games we’ve played so far.”
From the first blow of the whistle, the Raiders set the tone with an aggressive attitude. The team pulled ahead quickly, scoring multiple tries and keeping a strong defense that kept their opponents from gaining ground. The backs worked to create openings while the forwards forged ahead strongly during rucks and scrums.
Breakaway runs, clean passes, and relentless tackles kept the crowd and the scoreboard fired up. Throughout all the action, the team stayed disciplined and supportive of each other. Scotia commented, “We do a really good job of encouraging each other on and off the field, and that contributes to our success.”
When talking about strategy and areas for improvement, Scotia reflected, “We could have fielded their kicks better so that we would have been shooting up quicker and gaining more ground.” Mabel added that the team could have put more inexperienced players on when they were up by about 30, “just for the experience of playing at the Rumble. It’s not only about winning, it’s about the rugby experience and fun as well!”
KCI’s Senior Boys
With the energy high, the Senior Boys team took the field with intensity for a challenging match, finishing with a score of 0-22. Early on, the game took a tough turn when Joel Park was forced to leave the field after being dump-tackled by an opposing player, earning the Viking a yellow card. Later in the game, Ice, another key contributor, tore his rotator cuff, throwing another blow on the team's momentum. Sakuma Kano, who played forward and back positions, noted, “Losing a key player shook us up a bit and I think we just couldn't come back from that offensively.”
Despite the setbacks, the Senior Boys fought hard. Robbie Thorman reflected on the team's preparation, saying, “I think we played alright, but not up to the standard of KCI boys rugby. Going into the game I feel like as a team we were not all as ready as we could have been to play our best game.” When asked what he thinks could have been done differently, he suggested “a switch in our mindset at practices leading up to the game” could have helped the team be more prepared. He added confidently, “That’s what we will do the next time.”
Regardless of the final score, prop Rowen McGregor highlighted the intensity of the match, saying, “I don't think the score reflected how close and competitive the game actually was.”
The game was marked by aggression, with KCI locked in on defense for the majority of the game. In spite of the outcome, KCI showed grit and a refusal to back down easily. Rowen added, “In a rematch where our team is fully healthy, it'd be a different outcome.”
Overall, the 2025 Rugby Rumble was more than a series of matches. It was a celebration of school spirit, sportsmanship, and a growing passion for rugby throughout our ONEKCI community. From tackles to teamwork, the games showcased the Raiders’ heart and hustle. The experience gained, memories formed, and community built were victories in themselves. With continued grit, passion, and growth, Raider Rugby has a strong future. Don’t forget to check KCI Athletics’ Instagram page to catch the details of their next games!