As a Grade 12 student-athlete, Verena is held in high regard by her teammates and coaches as a leader on and off the field for the school’s Senior Girls’ Rugby Team. Outgoing and welcoming, Verena encouraged other students to try out for rugby and she played a vital role in the success of the team through her vocal leadership and her positive attitude towards her teammates and opponents. She is an exceptional rugby player and her presence makes those around her better on a team with players from various grades. Verena regularly is the first person to help her coaches with equipment and practice preparation followed by leading the team through warmups.
Mustangs’ coach Kate Treacy is impressed with Verena’s initiative, empathy, unselfishness, work ethic and leadership skills. Verena’s drive to improve her individual rugby skills has also caught the attention of the coaching staff since joining the team. Verena communicates very effectively with her teammates. She often takes the time to reflect on her individual performance and she is always thinking of ways to make the team more successful.
Verena’s overall impact on the field can be viewed in a variety of ways. According to her coaches, she exemplifies hard work, dedication, heart, inclusivity, compassion, skill, perseverance and leadership on the field. As a starter for each game, she averaged two tries and five forced turnovers with strong defence and superb tackling in helping to lead the school’s Rugby 7’s team to a championship this year.
Outside of high school athletics, Verena enjoys playing for the Aurora Barbarians RFC, a club team, as well as for the Toronto Rugby Union Red’s 7’s, an elite team. She is also a member of St. Maximilian’s swim team, ski team, athletic council and the school’s leadership group.
Personable and respectful towards her peers and teachers, Verena is a true student-athlete by earning success in the classroom as well. She is extremely responsible and devotes the time and work in the classroom to be a high-level academic achiever. She’s an outstanding collaborator with her classmates and is always willing to lend assistance to those around her. Verena is proud of her Honour Roll status and she has the distinction of being on the Principal’s List which recognizes her Top 10 scholastic average.
Post-secondary, Verena aspires to attend Nursing School at either Queen’s University or The University of Victoria. Rugby opponents haven’t seen the last of Verena on the rugby field as she intends to further develop her skills in university play and with the Aurora Barbarians women’s team for many years to come!
