Trent Excalibur men’s rugby team to join OUA beginning in 2016-17

PETERBOROUGH, Ont - Following on the heels of a recent announcement about the Trent varsity men's and women's volleyball teams joining the Ontario University Athletics (OUA), the Trent Excalibur is excited to announce another team will be stepping into OUA competition – men's rugby will be joining the league starting with the 2016/17 varsity season. 

"The 2016/2017 Varsity Season will be a milestone year for Trent University as it will have all of its varsity teams under the OUA banner," said Deborah Bright-Brundle, director, Athletics and Recreation for Trent University. "We want to build on our history and focus our varsity program in a position of strength."  

"The past couple weeks have been exciting for both OUA and the Trent Excalibur with the volleyball announcement last week and now the addition of men's rugby to our league beginning next season," said Gord Grace, OUA CEO.  "I'd like to welcome back the Excalibur men's rugby team to OUA and wish them the best of luck as they begin their pursuit of the Turner Trophy." 

Commenting on the upcoming move, Excalibur men's rugby head coach David McCully said, "We've been very pleased with the growth and development of the Trent Men's Rugby program since joining the OCAA for the 2009 season. We now feel the program is in a very strong position to return to the OUA, where we have spent the majority of our 50 year history. The OUA will present exciting challenges for the 2016 season and beyond. Our goal will be to continue the growth and development in the OUA that we have experienced in the OCAA. In doing so, we hope to attract strong, ambitious student-athletes who wish to compete at the highest level in the OUA." 

For the last six years, the Excalibur men's rugby team has competed in the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA). In the 2014/2015 season the men's rugby team both hosted, and placed second, in the OCAA Men's Rugby Championship. 

"I would like to thank the OCAA for the tremendous competitive opportunity they have provided to Trent varsity student-athletes over the last six years," said Ms. Bright-Brundle

About Trent University Athletics

Trent athletes have competed in interuniversity competition for 40 years. Excalibur athletes compete in cross country, curling, golf, rowing, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, and volleyball. The 40+ coaches and 300 athletes are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence on the field and in the classroom. Trent University is an inspiring place to be part of. A stunning natural landscape along the Otonabee River provides an environment where you can grow, thrive, live and connect.   

About Ontario University Athletics

Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 20 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.

About Trent University

One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham delivers a distinct mix of programming in the GTA. 

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For more information contact:

Kate Weersink, media relations & strategic communications officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or kateweersink@trentu.ca

Matthew Walker, communications coordinator, Ontario University Athletics, (905) 635-5510 x 207 or matthew.walker@oua.ca