Women's Basketball Lands Two More Recruits
There were over 900 fans at the Lady Beaverbrook Gymnasium on a cold Saturday night.
Inside the 70-year-old gym, a classic Atlantic University Sport contest was unfolding between the host University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds and Cape Breton University Capers.
As the battle roared along with the crowd at the game in front of them, a lot of work was also being done off the court. It’s what goes on when you’re coaching and recruiting at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport level.
On the heels of UNB’s dramatic AUS win over the Capers in the final game at the old gymnasium, two new recruits were taking the final step of committing to the Varsity Reds. These two new recruits will wear UNB colours as the Program moves to the brand new and state-of-the-art Richard Currier Center for the 2011-12 season.
UNB head coach Jeff Speedy announced Rachel Cleary of Brantford, Ont., and Colleen Daly of Hamilton, Ont., will land on campus this summer.
Cleary is a five-foot-11 post brings a mixture of defensive prowess and physical play to the VReds. “Rachel is a very good defender who will add some rebounding and toughness to our lineup,” said Speedy. “She loves to mix it up and will do whatever it takes to help her team be success. She plays hard all the time. We can’t wait for her to get here and be out there battling with us on the court.”
For Cleary, the UNB campus was a critical attraction to land with the Varsity Reds. Joining one of the CIS top 10 teams certainly didn’t hurt, either. “The school and the atmosphere of the city, the team and the coaching staff is amazing,” said Cleary. “I love how the City of Fredericton supports the athletes. My goal is to improve each year and help my team improve as well. I hope the team will go to the nationals and I can be a part of contributing to make that happen.”
It takes a lot of sacrifice to be that kind of committed athlete and Rachel knows all about personal sacrifice. Part of a 45-0 Ontario school team during her Grade 11 year, Cleary was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident. It made her find another focus that far outweighed on court success.
“My greatest accomplishment to this point was being able to come back after a car accident,” she said. “I was able to start playing right away at tryouts. I was in pain, but I persevered and played the entire season.” Cleary played with the St. John’s High Eagles and presently toils with the Brantford Briers at the club level.
Daly is a five-foot-five guard, who loves the three point bomb, winner of her city three point competition two years in a row. She arrives at UNB after feeling the high academic standard and the winning Women’s Basketball Program were a good fit for her.
“I enjoy my role as a team player, but long range shooting and ball handling are probably my strengths,” she said. “It’s going to be a great experience joining a program like UNB. I’ve been very impressed with the coaches and the players.”
Daly plays with St. Mary’s High, a force in Hamilton. She has been with the senior team since entering high school in grade nine and has been part of a program that has two city titles during four trips to the final. She also captains her club this season.
“Colleen is a winner who has played for a very good coach and high school program,” said Speedy. “She can really shoot the three and loves to defend. She can play some point guard as well. Colleen may have been overlooked because of her height, but we believe she can contribute at this level right away and in many ways.”
Asked if his recruiting is now done with three commitments (Katelynn Carver from Bridgewater, NS agreed to join the VReds back in November), Coach Speedy chuckled and said “recruiting is never over”. So I guess we will all stay tuned for another exciting announcement in the near future.