UPEI adds versatility, experience
Calgary native Dayna Pitter joins women’s squad
The UPEI Panthers have landed an experienced and accomplished rugby player from Calgary.
Dayna Pitter will join the UPEI women’s team in September.
“I have been fortunate to have had many amazing experiences over my athletic career,” said Pitter. “The opportunity to play rugby at the university level is one that I am extremely grateful for and excited to add. I look forward to being able to challenge myself both on and off the field as an athlete and student at UPEI.”
Pitter is a second-generation member of the Calgary Hornets R.F.C., getting her start picking up balls and cones around the field as her father coached. Her competitive career began when she was 14-years-old at both the high school and club level.
In 2016, she captained her high school team to the Calgary city finals and was named an all-star. She also captained the under-18 Hornets to a city and provincial title that year. She was rookie of the year for the Calgary Hornets’ senior women’s squad in 2017.
She played for the Prairie Wolf Pack under-20 team, which went undefeated at the 2018 Canadian rugby championships.
UPEI finished 2-4 in the fourteam Atlantic University Sport conference in 2018, losing 55-0 to Acadia in the semifinal. St. Francis Xavier and Acadia have been the top two teams in recent years.
A release from the university said Pitter is comfortable at any position on the field.
“Her combination of skill, game awareness and extensive playing experience will be an asset to the team,” said Panthers head coach John LaBoyne. “Dayna has played at a very high level of rugby in high school, with the Calgary Hornets club, and with the (under-20) Prairie Wolfpack.”