A Smiths Falls rugby star is taking her talents south of the border.
Chloe Headland, of Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute has been accepted to play on the Harvard University women’s rugby team, beginning in September.
The grade 12 student moved from the United Kingdom in 2016, and had never played rugby to that point.
However, under the guidance of her coach Jacob Swarbrick, she joined the school’s rugby team.
“She’s a gifted athlete that comes from a very multi-sport background,” Swarbrick said. “Just her level of sport and physicality is on a different level from most girls her age. Not only is Harvard one of the strongest academic Universities in the world, they’re the NCAA reigning champions, so it’s a top rugby program.”
In 2018, Chloe was invited to attend the Harvard University rugby camp, where she impressed the Harvard coaching staff with her rugby skills.
It was because of this camp that she was offered the opportunity.
Headland says she plans to study finance and mathematics at the Ivy League school.
“For the athletic side of it, there’s always that goal and dream to play at the international or professional level,” Headland said. “For the academic side, I’m looking to become an actuary, so I will be studying finance and mathematics to further pursue that.”
With her acceptance, Headland becomes the third SFDCI Alumni to join the Harvard squad, following Kim Hartung and Heidi Lucas, who are in their second year.
She says her path is a testament to hard work and determination paying off.
“There’s not much to lose if you fail but nine times out of ten, if you put the work in and you give it your all, the odds will be in your favour,” Headland said. “It’s going to be an achievement to be proud of and I’m happy I did.”