BARRIE, Ontario — The Georgian Grizzlies rugby team roster is set and the excitement among players and coaches is growing, as they get ready for the 2021-22 regular season.

“We didn’t know if we were going to have a season or not until about a month ago. So, we’re really excited to get back on the field,” said John Daggett, the club’s head coach. “Getting the players out training, passing the ball around, being together and having fun has been great. We have a good mix of veterans who are excited to come back and have another run.”

Prior to the cancelled 2020-21 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Grizzlies finished first in the league in 2019-20 with a 6-0 record.

The club fell just short of an Ontario College Athletics Association (OCAA) championship, losing to the Durham Lords in the gold medal game for the second year in a row.

Third-year player and team captain Braidon Foster said he has high expectations for the club.

“I love our chances. We have some great guys and the team is coming together really well,” Foster said. “We have some new guys and guys with experience who have been here a couple of years. We’re going to work together to be the best we can be.”

Foster said leadership and coaching are the team’s two biggest strengths heading into the season.

“We have a lot of experienced guys that have definitely taken on the role as leaders and our coach is the best coach you can have,” Foster said. “He knows how to get the best out of players.”

Daggett said Foster is a huge part of the leadership group and is a perfect example of what it means to be a Grizzly.

“He buys into the culture, he’s a good human, a good rugby player and a good student. We’re happy to have him,” Daggett said.

Foster said he is embracing his new role with the team and is doing everything he can to help the young guys.

“If anyone needs one-on-one help, I’m there for them. When the coaches aren’t around, I am pushing to get them into the gym,” Foster said. “A lot of them haven’t played since Grade 10, so it’s a big transition for them. I’m just helping them take another step and get ready for the next level.”

It’s that kind of leadership Daggett is looking for from all the veterans on the team.

“Our expectations as coaches are for players to train hard on their own, be engaged, eat well, look after themselves and be a good student,” Daggett said. “All of those things we expect is part of our team culture and we need the veterans to continue to pass that on to the new players.”

The Grizzlies play their first regular season game on the road against the Sheridan Bruins on Sept. 25.

In the meantime, the team will spend the next couple of weeks preparing.

“Our biggest issue right now is cardio. Having two years off, we are trying to get back into shape,” Foster said. “We have a fitness coach, who again, is fantastic and who is really pushing us to get better.”

The Grizzlies play their first home game on Oct. 2 against the Humber Hawks.

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