Local talent Dutchak represents region in rugby championships and heads to Ireland

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Adalyn Dutchak’s family has always held the sport of rugby union closely.

Her parents met through rugby. Her sister, Hailey, currently plays at the University of Victoria and plans to make the U-20 national team next spring.

Formerly a dancer, Dutchak said her connection to the sport is what drew her to try it about four years ago.

“After highland dancing, I was struggling to find what sport I’d be best at,” said Dutchak. “After discovering rugby, I kind of dropped everything and pursued it.”

Dutchak says she plays multiple positions on the rugby pitch, including as a Flank, Prop, and “a little bit,” she says as a Winger. 

She began what has been a busy summer by competing in the Alberta Regional Championships (ARC) in Lethbridge on June 28th and 29th.

Playing under the umbrella of the Grande Prairie Warriors, Dutchak’s U-16 team finished third in the competition.

She said she had a “different” experience, as although she had competed in B.C. regional championships, the ARC was an adjustment.

“ARCs was a little more fun,” said Dutchak. “I had people who I’ve played with before playing on the Warriors.”

“Everything is not always about winning, it’s more about having fun.  I wasn’t expecting to crack the squad because of living in B.C.  With not being expected to be selected, it allowed me to enjoy it more.”

Next were the BC Regional championships, which were held the following weekend in Vancouver on the University of British Columbia campus.  

Dutchak was one of 14 athletes from Fort St. John, male and female, who took part in the provincial tournament. It was the most represented that Fort St. John has been at the championships.

They included U-16 players Johnny Ball and William Brain and U-18 members Austin Baerg, Beckum Caldwell, Ben Christianson, Carter Kramer, Craig Peters, and Quentin Farquhar. U-18 girls included Ella Okgoke, Trinity Giles, Israel-Taryn Tebulte and Taylor’s Kennedy Jones.

Adalyn explained the turnover was quite a challenge, saying it was “fortunate” she didn’t have any injuries, but the experience left her tired.

She traveled with the Aurora Wolves Rugby program, a new team based out of northern B.C. 
Due to the lack of a full roster, Dutchak played with a team representing South Vancouver. 

“From the first game to the last game, we did gel together,” said Dutchak.  “We were able to learn something there.”

Last weekend, Adalyn represented the Cariboo-Northeast region, or Zone 8 at the B.C. Summer games in Maple Ridge.  

The roster included familiar faces, as Piper-Mia Masse, Tebulte and Jones were on hand.

In addition, her sister served as a coach while rehabbing from surgery on her ACL.

Dutchak says she was “happy to have the support” from familiar faces on the squad, who ultimately finished sixth.

To finish off July, Dutchak will be taking on the experience of a lifetime: she’ll be heading to Ireland for an international training camp affiliated with the international rugby programs Celtic Barbarians R.F.C and Hawkeyes Rugby Academy.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Dutchak.  “I’ll be experiencing a different side of rugby.”

For full results on the BC Summer Games, please visit the results page.