Maddie Hobson and J.A. Gibson are reaping the rewards of an undefeated season for the Guelph Redcoats.
Hobson has captured Rugby Ontario's senior club female player of the year award, while Gibson was named women's club coach of the year.
The Redcoats finished with a perfect 12-0 record, and an OWL (Ontario Women's League) Cup title as the best in the top senior women's rugby league in the province.
Hobson, in her first year with the club, was surprised by the honour.
"I'm really happy to get the recognition," the 21-year-old Kitchener native told GuelphToday. "It's really part of all my teammates, working with a bunch of Guelph alumni, who elevate everything. It makes my job a lot easier."
Ditto, said Gibson. She said the team made her job very easy over the summer.
"I had a bunch of very talented athletes," she said. "Dedicated, hard working and we had a pretty outstanding summer."
Not bad, considering Gibson thought the Redcoats – OWL Cup winners in 2019 – were definitely in a rebuilding year following two years off due to the pandemic.
Luckily, they had a lot of depth and skill to work with, and a club-record 44 athletes registered. By mid-season, and having seen each of the five other teams in the league at least once, Gibson thought "we might actually be competitive this year."
Competitive, they were. A league-high 490 points, 86 ahead of their closest competitor, and a league-low 162 points against.
"It was the first season back after COVID, the connections were a bit off," said Hobson. "The first game, we were just seeing how each other played and seeing how we could work with one another.
"With each game, our relationships and connections with one another grew. That's really what helped us get better each game."
"We probably had a different combo every game," added Gibson, who wrapped up her fourth season as coach. "It was pretty incredible."
The 32-year-old is also an assistant coach with the Guelph Gryphons women's rugby program, where many Redcoats ply their trade in the fall, including Hobson.
"I'm really fortunate because in Guelph, I get to work with them at the U Sport level and summer club level, so I get to work with them 12 months of the year," Gibson said. "That's pretty awesome, and I haven't looked back since."
Hobson got into the game in Grade 9, making the decision to switch from track and field. Also having a wrestling background, Hobson had a good mix of attributes for rugby, combining the speed of track and the physicality of wrestling.
She now finds herself as a fourth-year psychology major at U of G, and an experienced part of a Gryphons team that went 5-1 this season.
The Gryphons are the defending OUA women's rugby champions, and are looking for their fifth championship since 2016.
Hobson, coach Gibson and the rest of the Gryphons will look to add to their trophy case this month.
As for the Rugby Ontario accolades, the two will get their awards during a ceremony in Mississauga Nov. 12.
