Vancouver, BC: BC Rugby is excited to announce that
Denise Galuska and
Jesse Olynyk have been hired as Girls Rugby Youth Development Officers (YDOs) with immediate effect.
Alongside BC Rugby Provincial Coach and Development Manager Dave Brown, the YDOs will work with local clubs and schools to establish strategic initiatives related to developing the game for girls and women in the province of British Columbia.
Over the next few months, Galuska and Olynyk will start to establish community club and school links on the Island, Lower Mainland and Interior by delivering workshops and clinics in elementary schools and by working to bridge the gap between schools and clubs by improving female player participation and retention. They will also assist in the recruitment and retention of referees, coaches and volunteers for girls and women's rugby.
“This is an exciting and ground breaking initiative at the Provincial level in Canada and we are delighted to have Denise and Jesse on board in these part time positions," said Brown. "We are aiming to target communities in the Province where we think there is potential for growth in age grade club rugby and we also look forward to having these two individuals working directly with elementary schools to introduce the game to younger athletes.”
A Simon Fraser University grad and former BC U19 provincial player,
Galuska brings a wealth of experience to the table. Galuska's playing career has seen her compete at the Premier level with Pocomo and United Rugby Club as well as a 2002 stint with the College Rifles women's team in Auckland, New Zealand. Galuska has also dedicated her time to the sport off the pitch serving as United's junior women's coach, treasurer and tour organizer, as well as coaching regionally with the Vancouver Wave U19 women's team in 2009. Galuska is an IRB Level One certified referee and Safe Rugby Trainer.
“Denise has a tremendous background in developing and sustaining school programs and has worked with a number of schools in the Tri-cities area," Brown said. "We believe that she can take this knowledge and assist with the development of other programs in the Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions.”
Olynyk has had her fair share of success on the rugby stage Captaining the University of Victoria Vikes women's rugby team. The Kamloops, BC native is a two-time Canada West All-Star and CIS All Canadian and has played age grade national rugby for the Canadian U20 and U19 teams. Olynyk has been involved in several youth camp set-ups including the Vikes Recreation Summer Camps and Thompson University Realty Sport Camps in Kamloops. In 2009, Olynyk was the Basketball Canada U15 National Championship Tournament Coordinator for the competition hosted at TRU.
“Jesse has come through our player pathway. She has represented the Okanagan region at U17s and U19s and has progressed through all our Provincial Programs as well National Teams," Brown added. "We believe she will provide support to development in regions such as Victoria and the North Island as well as doing some work in the Interior.”
Those interested in contacting our new Youth Development Officers are encouraged to reach Jesse (
jolynyk@bcrugby.com) and Denise (
dgaluska@bcrugby.com) through email.
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