No matter which coast, Charlottetown’s Abby Goodwin can find comfort on a rugby pitch.
The former UPEI Panthers’ rookie now finds herself in a starring role as a lock with the University of Victoria Vikes.
After completing her third season with the Vikes, the 20-year-old was named a Western Conference all-star following the recent end of the rugby season.
Goodwin led the Vikes in tries in the regular season with three, scoring a hat trick in a 20-5 win over the UBC Thunderbirds that clinched her club a playoff spot.
She also scored a try in the Vikes’ 20-15 loss to the host University of Calgary in the conference’s bronze-medal match.
“We are already excited for next year’s Can West,” Goodwin told The Guardian this week. “We now have until April to play club together, so hopefully our team will come out next year being better than ever.”
Vicks’ coach Bruce Howe said Goodwin is an excellent player who contributes to the team in a variety of ways.
“Her power running is a feature and she has shown ability to break tackles and control possession,” he said. “Defensively, she has also continued to improve. She pressures opposition and has become a willing and reliable tackler.”
Howe said Goodwin is a “treat to coach” and is very popular with her teammates.
“I feel very pleased that she made the choice to come across the country and am convinced she has the potential to advance to higher levels,” he said.
In 2008, Goodwin began her university rugby career at home at UPEI.
However, a broken ankle ended the freshman’s season and allowed her to regain her year of eligibility.
“From there, I knew I wanted to transfer universities,” Goodwin said. “I was looking for a school that offered international business, had co-op included and had a varsity rugby team.”
Across the country, the University of Victoria was a perfect match.
“It seemed crazy at the time, but UVic was one of the schools that had it all,” she said. “As it turns out, it was a great fit. I enjoyed being on an island, having rugby year-round, and the small size of the business school.”
It seemed crazy at the time, but UVic was one of the schools that had it all. As it turns out, it was a great fit. I enjoyed being on an island, having rugby year-round, and the small size of the business school. - Islander Abby Goodwin
The youngest of four girls, Abby grew up in a very active household, competing with her sisters Janna, Cassandra and Kieran.
She only had fond things to say about the Island and her many friends, especially Panthers’ star Sumara Profit, who got her start in rugby alongside Goodwin at Colonel Gray High School.
“Some of my best friends are still on the UPEI team, and I was so happy to see them do so well this year,” she said. “I am excited to see where coach Shannon Atkins will lead the team.”
Over the summer, Goodwin was a member of the British Columbia under-23 women’s team that captured gold at the 2011 national women’s league championships.
“It was an eye-opening experience,” she admitted. “I learned that (just because) you show up, doesn’t automatically mean you are on the team. You must work hard to prove yourself.”
Goodwin then travelled with the national under-20 team to Santa Barbara, Calif., and followed her national team tour with a trip to New York with the Canadian Interuniversity Sports’ All-Canadian team that played two games against the All-American team from the United States.
Peering into the crystal ball, Goodwin said she has no “real set plans” after 2012.
After completing an internship with Rugby Canada this past summer, Goodwin said she has gained an appreciation of sports management alongside international marketing.
The combination could open a lot of possibilities professionally.
“In terms of rugby, I hope to continue playing as long as my body allows,” she added. “It’s a tough sport, but I love it.”
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