Oakville’s Taylor Perry blazes trail to Women’s Rugby World Cup final

A trailblazer at just 12 years old – Taylor Perry soared through the rugby ranks all the way to Team Canada.

While Saturday’s world cup result was not in Canada’s favour, Perry’s fans back at home in Oakville are beaming with pride.

“She was so good that we separated the girls,” said Chris Tudor-Price, president of Oakville Crusader’s Rugby Club.

Perry plays rugby for Team Canada and was a major player in Saturday’s world cup final. But to her home club in Oakville, Perry is much more than that – blazing a trail for women’s rugby in Ontario.

“She said we need to form a girls team. And she went to all the other clubs in the province, along with her coaches, and they formed, really, essentially a girls’ version of U12,” said Tudor-Price.

When traditionally this level was co-ed.

“Seeing Taylor Perry do that from the exact same club, she played U16, U18, and then went on to Ontario and eventually Canada – it’s so inspiring,” said former teammate Kaliegh Hurd.

Friends and extended family gathered at the Oakville Crusaders clubhouse to cheer for Team Canada taking on England in the women’s rugby world cup final. There were some tense moments..

Including losing the broadcast signal in the first half – but the snacks calmed the nerves.

The watch party lingered outside, and while the score did not tip in Canada’s favour, many were just proud to witness one of their own on the rugby world stage.

“The fact that she made it to the finals is amazing,” said U14 player Madeleine Woodell.

“England is semi-professional, so for Canada to come where they are was absolutely awesome for them,” said Talbot.

“To think that she was once standing here in these spaces doing what we do and she’s got so far from it — it really makes lots of us think we have an opportunity to get to that level,” said U14 player Amelia Wright.

Perry’s immediate family travelled to England to support her in Saturday’s final. When they all return, there will be another party to celebrate her accomplishments.

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