Britt Benn, a Women's Rugby Alumnus and former OUA Female Athlete of the Year, CIS Player of the Year and Gryphon Athlete of the year was recently selected to represent Canada this summer in Women's Rugby 7's at the Rio Olympic Games.

Britt spoke to us recently about playing for Canada, the moment she made the Olympic team and what she misses about the University of Guelph...among many other things. Read below. 

Q: How did you get in to the sport of rugby?
In grade 9 I decided to try out for our high school soccer team as it was my summer sport growing up.  After tryouts, the soccer coach had suggested I go out for the high school rugby team. Naturally, I was a little too "aggressive" for soccer and he'd thought my physicality would be more fitting for rugby. 
 

Q: Who was your biggest inspiration in sport?
My biggest inspiration in sport would be my Gryphon Coaches, Colette McAuley and Mark Yanchus. They took me under their wing, taught me many great values and watched me grow into the Olympian I am today. 

Q: What drives you on the rugby field to compete?
When I'm on the rugby field, in those moments, my teammates drive me to compete. Together, we train 6 days a week, we break down those mental and physical barriers, we understand each other and most importantly, we all want to succeed. I'm always proud to represent our country, to represent my university, my club teams and my hometown.  That pride will always fuel my drive on the rugby field. 

Q: What's your biggest strength on the rugby field?
My biggest strength on the rugby field is likely my physicality. I'm not afraid to take a hit or make a hit. I run aggressive lines, and become a threat that other teams fear and thats exactly what I want.

Q: What was your path after graduation from UofG to making and competing for Team Canada?
After graduating UofG, I made several attempts to compete for the National Women's 7's Team but I was nervous to move out to Victoria, BC where the team centralizes. I didn't want to leave my family behind,  and I wasn't ready to leave Guelph. At the time, I was thinking about policing, but I realized that I wasn't ready for a career either. After working for the City of Guelph for a couple years, I finally decided to accept carding and move out to British Columbia to train full time with the National Women's 7's Team. And here I am…26 days away from competing in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.  
 

Q: What do you think you'd be doing if you weren't playing rugby competitively right now?
Firefighting and taking on the role as an assistant coach for the Guelph Gryphons Women's Rugby Team, along side Colette McAuley. 

Q: What was it like when you heard you were going to the Olympics and representing Canada in Rio?
I was called into the meeting room, my coach and manager were sitting on one side of the table and there a chair on the other. I pulled out the chair, and sat down anxiously. My hands were cold, clammy and shaking uncontrollably. I looked into my coaches eyes which at the time felt like forever but really was only 10 seconds. He said to me " Do you think you can improve from now until the Olympics?"  With no hesitation, I looked at him and said "There is always time for improvement Coach". He reached his hand across the table and I met him halfway with mine.  "Congratulations Britt, You are going to the Olympics".  Tears instantly flowed down my cheek.  I couldn't believe that all the hard work had finally paid off.  All the sacrifices I've made in the past 10 years to pursue this dream was 100% worth it. I never thought I would say that.  It hasn't been an easy road along this remarkable journey, and none of this would of been possible without the continuous support of my family, my friends and my community.  
 

Q: You've already played in some very important matches across the world. What is the biggest crowd you've competed in front of? And what was that like?
The biggest crowd I've competed in front of was the 2015 PanAm Games hosted in Toronto, ON at the BMO Field.  We played in the Gold Medal finals against the USA infront of 22,000 Canadian fans. Honestly, we couldn't even hear each other on the field because the crowd was so loud. It was absolutely breathtaking to represent our country at the PanAm Games in front of our homecrowd.  I would relive that moment over and over again if I was give the opportunity.
 

Q: Your team has had some success recently. Going into Rio what is the goal?
Its simple.  Our goal is Gold. 

Q: Is there anything you miss from UofG?
I miss playing for the Guelph Gryphons Women's Rugby team the most.  I miss waking up every Saturday morning preparing to play at 1pm that day.  I miss the huddles before kickoff, I miss that first whistle that initiated 80 minutes of battle.  I miss playing alongside my Gryphons, I miss celebrating when we scored, I miss the smiles of my teammates.  I miss OUA Finals, I miss CIS tournaments, I miss that moment when we won CIS Gold in 2011.  I miss UofG everyday.  It was the best five years of my life.