Axewomen land top recruit from B.C.
Wideski expected to add plenty of experience to rugby roster
A ‘generational talent’ on the rugby team is expected to make a big impact in Wolfville this fall.
Acadia announced the recruitment of Richmond, B.C. native Valerie Wideski to the university’s women’s rugby program June 1.
“We are thrilled to be adding a player of Valerie’s calibre to our program,” said Axewomen head coach Matthew Durant. “We feel she is a generational talent, and immediately makes our team better. We have several other strong first- year athletes joining us this fall, and having a mature player with the international experience that Valerie has will be invaluable for the other players joining us this year as freshmen.”
A 19-year-old, five-foot-11 prop, Wideski played for the Hugh McRoberts Secondary School women’s rugby team and Westshore Rugby Football Club as well as three seasons with BC Rugby provincial teams and one season with the Rugby Canada U18 squad.
With the Rugby Canada U18 program, she helped Canada capture the CanAm series this past season and was named the “woman of the match” for game two of the series.
With the Westshore Rugby Club, Wideski won the 2018 BC Club Championship.
“Beyond being an exceptional rugby player and all-around athlete, Valerie is a tremendous person, which is even more important to us here at Acadia,” Durant said. “She shares the same core values that our program embodies. She values hard work as a central pillar of her success and is extremely close to, and respectful of her family. She is simply a great kid.”
Wideski will report to camp in late August and is enrolled in the Faculty of Arts – Sociology program. When asked why she chose Acadia, she noted that the visit to Wolfville and the Annapolis Valley was part of her decision.
“Going on my trip to Acadia, I was very unsure with what my decision would be. I took the time to take in the town and people and instantly fell in love. I knew my decision was made by lunch time that day. I’ve very excited to attend Acadia this fall and wear the Axewomen jersey proudly alongside my new teammates,” said Wideski.
The Axewomen open the AUS regular season at home Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. versus UPEI and host the U SPORTS women’s rugby national championship Nov. 1-4 on Acadia’s Raymond Field.