Women’s Rugby
U SPORTS Top 10 launches Tuesday with new statistical format
U SPORTS sits down with one key athlete, coach, and staff member of each U SPORTS athletic program in our interview series “Getting to know…”
- Name: Niamh Haughey
- School: Brock University
- Sport: Women’s rugby
- Position: Outside centre
- Year of eligibility: 3
- Program: Physical Education
- Hometown: Toronto, Ont.
1. What attracted you to Brock University?
I loved the campus, and the sense of community felt around the school. Brock is also close enough to home, so I get to see my family, but also far enough to have my own independence.
2. What’s your favourite memory, and your greatest athletic achievement as a U SPORTS student-athlete?
An achievement and also a highlight was receiving Rookie of The Year in my first year, and was fortunate enough to be selected for a U18 Canada Tour as well that year.
3. Where are you hoping your path will take you after university?
Once I complete my degree, I hope to travel and play some rugby overseas before settling back down into a career.
4. Who’s had the greatest influence on your athletic career?
Growing up I was fortunate enough to have numerous coaches through both hockey and rugby that pushed me to reach my goals. Specifically, my high school rugby coaches encouraged me to pursue rugby at the national level, and since then I’ve been grateful for the opportunities the sport has provided me.
5. Who is someone in the sports world, past or present, with whom you’d love to have dinner with? Why?
I’d love to sit down with Serena Williams. She is such a positive role model to so many young athletes in today’s generation, plus all her personal successes and challenges she’s had to overcome would definitely make for great dinner conversation.
6. What is your pre-game ritual? Do you have any superstitions/idiosyncrasies around preparing yourself for a game?
I don’t stick to the same pre-game ritual for every game, however often it does include music and a team dance session to the cha-cha slide to get fired up before a game.
7. What’s your go-to song to get pumped up for practice or a game?
Party for Two – Shania Twain
8. What’s your favourite social media account to follow?
Definitely pups on Instagram!
9. If you could try another sport, what would it be and why?
Probably cricket. I don’t think I’d be very good at it, but it would definitely be fun to give it a go.
10. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you as an athlete?
During a hockey game I was awarded a penalty shot, and as I was halfway down the ice, I tripped and fell flat on my face in front of everyone – safe to say I didn’t score!