Road to the Women's World Cup: Amanda Thornborough
Amanda Thornborough cannot imagine her life without rugby. She loves everything it encompasses on and off the field. She loves the team dynamics, the aggressive nature of the sport and the athleticism that goes into playing it at a high level. She has turned this sport into a lifestyle, and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Submitted by Katelyn McCreary - Rugby Canada Communications
AMANDA THORNBOROUGH
Amanda Thornborough cannot imagine her life without rugby. She loves everything it encompasses on and off the field. She loves the team dynamics, the aggressive nature of the sport and the athleticism that goes into playing it at a high level. She has turned this sport into a lifestyle, and wouldn't have it any other way.
Thornborough started playing eight years ago after she was recruited from her high school's soccer team, as the rugby coach was looking for some athletic girls to help boost the program. Almost immediately she fell in love with the dynamic skills required and the uniqueness of the game.
"My favorite thing about rugby is the power and combat aspects," Thornborough explained.
"Being able to physically challenge an opponent is a great feeling. There are not a lot of women's sports that allow you to do that."
The Brandon Manitoba native's career almost ended as she was entering her post-secondary education. Upon beginning her first year at the University of Manitoba, she learned the school did not have a rugby team. Fortunately during the National Women's League Championships she was asked to attend a Under 20 camp. The following year she made the decision to move east and attended St. Francis Xavier University (St. FX) where she played for four years.
Thornborough helped lead the team to two National Championships and she personally accumulated a number of awards during her time at St. FX including, 2009 Rookie of the Year and the St. FX Coach's award in 2011. She was also an AUS All-Star between 2009-2012 and CIS MVP in 2012.
But she continues to stay humble knowing she still has a long way to go and much to learn as one of the younger members of the National women's program.
"Honestly my teammates have been the biggest influence and role models," she exclaimed.
"To play with some of the best players in Canada inspires me. Whether its at my club, University or National Program, there is always someone to learn from and someone to push me to be better."
She sets her standards high, and continues to make short-term goals for herself personally. Right now she is focused on the 2014 World Cup.
World Cup selections camp took place at Shawnigan Lake, and despite the trials and tribulations Thornborough was pleased with her performance.
"The first week was the toughest for sure. As a young player I am still managing the mental stress of testing and assessment, but overall I think it went well. Each camp builds off the last one, and our recent wins reflect that."
Thorborough is not foreign to the skills and selections camps, as she has been a member of the National Senior Women's Sevens team and helped them to an undefeated win at the Hong Kong Sevens Tournament in 2013. Later that year Thornborough received her first National Senior Women's Cap in at the 2013 Nations Cup.
"Everything is in a much more condensed schedule during the fifteens selection camp," she explained.
"Without the opportunity to train everyday together players have to develop, find chemistry and execute in a short period of time. That's part of the challenge with a centralized program."
Thornborough put up a good fight for her position at the CAN-AM Cup where she played the whole last game in a tough battle against USA. She pushed through the wet conditions knowing her dream was on the line. Canada narrowly won the second game 14-10, on a rainy day in Langford.
"To be selected for the World Cup team would be a career highlight. I always admired the women participating in the World Cups when I was a teenager; to be one of them has always been an aspiration," she said.
"I've had the opportunity to wear the Canada jersey for five years now, and every single time I put it on it still gives me nerves and excitement. It's a huge honor and each time I hope to do it justice."
Ticketing and all other information about the Women's World Cup can be found atwww.rwcwomens.com
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Canada's Roster for New Zealand Tour– Name, (Club) Hometown
Elissa Alarie, (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club) Trois-Rivieres, QC
Emily Belchos, (Markham Irish RFC) Barrie, ON
Brittany Benn, (Guelph Redcoats) Napanee, ON
Stephanie Bernier, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, Quebec
Tyson Beukeboom, (Aurora Barbarians) Uxbridge, Ontario
Latoya Blackwood, (St. Anne de Bellevue) Montreal, QC
Andrea Burk, (Capilano RFC) North Vancouver, BC
Sammy Crandell, (Hornets RFC) Calgary, AB
Olivia DeMerchant, (Woodstock Wildmen) Mapledale, NB
Kim Donaldson, (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club) Toronto, ON
Jessica Dovanne, (Velox RFC) Victoria, BC
Magali Harvey, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
Mary Jane Kirby, (Highland RFC) Brampton, ON
Hilary Leith, (Capilano RFC) Vancouver, BC
Kayla Mack, (Wild Oats RFC) Saskatoon, SK
Mandy Marchak, (Capilano RFC) Winnipeg, MB
Barbara Mervin, (Velox RFC) Peterborough, ON
Jacey Murphy, (Aurora Barbarians) Alliston, ON
Karen Paquin, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
Kelly Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
Laura Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
Maria Samson, (Calgary Hornets) Calgary, AB
Julia Sugawara, (Burnaby Lake RFC) Surrey, BC
Amanda Thornborough, (Brandon Barbarians RFC) Brandon, MB
Brittany Waters, (Meraloma Athletic Club) Vancouver, BC
Julianne Zussman, (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, QC
Non-Travelling Reserves
Asya Bartley, (Barrhaven Scottish RFC) Ottawa, ON
Arielle Dubissette-Borrice, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Toronto, ON
Ashley Macdonald, (Halifax Tars) Corran Ban, PEI
Katie McNally, (Guelph RFC) Guelph, ON
Cindy Nelles (Oakville Crusaders/McMaster University) Belleville, ON
Natasha Watcham-Roy, (University of Ottawa) Gatineau, QC
RUGBY CANADA WOMEN'S FIFTEENS 2014 SCHEDULE:
CANADA 51 – 7 USA
April 15, 2014
CANADA 14 – 10 USA
April 19, 2014
CANADA VS. AUSTRALIA
Friday June 6, 2014
New Zealand, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
Kickoff 2:30pm local time
Thursday June 5 at 10:30pm ET / 7:30pm PT
CANADA VS. NEW ZEALAND BLACK FERNS
Tuesday June 10, 2014
New Zealand, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
Kickoff 2:30pm local time
Monday June 9 at 10:30pm ET / 7:30pm PT
CANADA VS. NEW ZEALAND BLACK FERNS
Saturday June 14, 2014
New Zealand, Whakatane, Rugby Park
Kickoff 2:30pm - local time
Friday June 13 at 10:30pm ET / 7:30pm PT
WOMEN'S RWC POOL GAME #1 v. Spain
Friday August 1, 2014
Paris, France - Marcoussis Field 2
Kickoff 3:00pm - local time
Friday August 1, 2014 at 9am ET / 6am PT
WOMEN'S RWC POOL GAME #2 v. Samoa
Tuesday August 5, 2014
Paris, France - Marcoussis Field 2
Kickoff 5:00 pm - local time
Tuesday August 5, 2014 - 11am ET/ 8am PT
WOMEN'S RWC POOL GAME #3 v. England
Saturday August 9, 2014
Paris, France - Marcoussis Field 1
Kickoff 3:45pm - local time
Saturday August 9, 2014 - 9:45am ET / 6:45am PT
WOMEN'S RWC SEMI-FINALS
(If Qualify)
Wednesday August 13, 2014
Paris, France - Stade Jean Bouin
Kickoff 6pm or 8:45pm - local time
Wednesday August 13, 2014 - 12pm noon ET / 9am PT
(Kickoff time depends on rank following group stage)
WOMEN'S RWC FINALS
(If Qualify)
Sunday August 17, 2014
Paris, France - Stade Jean Bouin
Kickoff 6:45pm - local time
Sunday August 17, 2014 - 12:45pm ET/ 9:45am PT
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