See How She Got Started in the OUA

Anchored in the efforts to spotlight Ontario University Athletics (OUA) student-athletes, the initiative See How She Got Started showcases and tells the story of how some of the conference’s talented student-athletes first got involved in sport and have made their way to the varsity stage on which they currently shine.  It is also hoped that their stories can inspire young athletes to aspire to compete in varsity-level sports.

 

 

Meet OUA Student-Athlete Taylor Fronchak

University - 

Trent University

 

Sport -

Rugby

 

Year of Eligibility -

2nd Year

 

Hometown - 

Paris, Ontario 

 

Program of Study - 

Biology

 

 

How did you first get involved in your sport?

I got involved with rugby in my grade 9 year of high school. My best friend didn't want to join alone so I tried it with her. 

 

What most interested you about your sport that made you want to pursue it at a high level?

The sport itself was very confusing at first.  So when I picked it up quickly, it really grabbed my interest. I also love how physical it is and that it's a sport that relatively few women play so not very common in women's sports.

 

Was there a specific moment/experience that led you to believe you could compete in your sport at a high level, and if so, what was it?

As a player, I was very dominant on my high school team as a forward. Because of my strong play, I had other coaches telling me that I should look into provincial tryouts. When I went to Ontario tryouts not having any connections and made Team Ontario, it really helped show me what was possible for me with proper training and hard work.

What is your fondest memory/experience of being involved in your sport thus far?

I would say my fondest memory is winning the OUA Rookie of the Year award. To me, it was just crazy knowing I had won this distinction as I felt I played on an underdog school team. I also didn't realize that the OUA considered all teams when giving out their awards so it really took me by surprise. 

 

Is there someone who inspires you to continue to pursue your sport at this high level (i.e., coach, professional athlete, family member, etc.) and what makes them an inspiration to you?

I don't really have a specific person that inspires me. But I do have a great support system from my parents, coaches and trainers. I've always wanted to represent Canada, especially once I made the Team Ontario squad. Having the opportunity to play for Team Canada is a big personal goal for me. And I do believe that my love and passion for the game makes this goal easier for me to aspire to make it happen. 

 

What excites you most about continuing your athletic journey at the varsity level within the OUA?

I think what excites me the most is to see how much better I can be in the sport.  Not only as an athlete, but as a leader and a teammate too. There's definitely always something to work on and improve and the fact that I won't ever reach a top limit excites and inspires me. 

 

 

What is/are some of the more unique aspect(s) of your sport that others may not know about? 

I think one unique aspect is that rugby is very much a team sport. You could be the best player of the sport, but if all 15 athletes on your team don't work together, its really hard to accomplish your goals as a team. I also believe the amount of coordination, communication and teamwork that required to make rugby a beautiful game to watch is unique of the sport.   

 

If someone else was looking to start playing your sport, what one piece of advice would you give them to get them started?

If someone were interested in playing rugby, I would tell them to learn the rules of the game and watch the sport to build up your rugby IQ. The better you know the game, the easier it becomes to play - especially once you have your basic skill sets well developed.

 

What is one critical thing that you do to try to continue to experience improvement within your sport (i.e., specific drill/exercise, training regimen, routine, etc.)?

For me, it's critical that I follow the lifting and training schedule provided to me. I also make sure to properly fuel my body. I know that if I put in the work and do what needs to be done, I can improve each and every season.

 

What would you say to your 10-year-old self about playing and staying in sport?

I would tell my 10-year-old self that if you find you don't have the same passion for the sport, it does help to stop for a moment and assess where these feelings are coming from. There's usually another reason behind the dislike rather than the sport itself.    

 

Is there one strategy that you find works well for you in creating a positive student/athlete balance in your life?

I do think it's important to take time away from rugby to just enjoy life as a student. Especially in the gym. If I'm feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with my performance or skills, I find it helps a lot to just take a break and do something active but that doesn't have an added stress. For example, I have found that going for hikes has been an amazing thing for me. 

 

SeeWhatSheCanDo

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Have a sport, recreation or physical activity accomplishment you'd like to celebrate and shout out through SWSCD?  Become a SWSCD member and share your story directly on SeeWhatSheCanDo. Or, simply add the hashtag #seewhatshecando to your public social media posts and SWSCD can help you inspire others around you.