Gemini girls’ rugby squad closes out strong 2026 season

The Tillsonburg Gemini girls rugby team closed out a successful 3-1 TVRA campaign with playoff appearances against Parkside and Arva Medway. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

The 2026 Tillsonburg Gemini Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) girls rugby season is gone, but will not be forgotten by coach Shelby Colldock.

Her to date, four-year teaching career at Glendale began with graduating members of the team she has coached for the duration. Colldock is excited to see them head onward to begin their lives beyond high school, all while missing their presence.

“For me, it’s a very sensitive moment to be able to get to say good-bye and good luck, to them.”

The Gemini campaign officially came to a close Monday, May 25 in Arva with a 36-15 TVRA Cup 4 quarter-final loss to the Medway Cowboys. Keona Cornish, Asha David and Faith Meyer scored tries for the Gemini while A. Crozier (2), A. Franklin (2), D. Martens and L. Vanderheydt found the scoring zone for Medway, with R. Bosley adding three conversions.

The week previous, Tillsonburg opened its first TVRA playoff stream with a 34-14 loss to St. Thomas Parkside Stampeders in the Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WOSSAA) A/AA final. The Stampeders had finished the regular TVRA season with a 4-0 record, handing the Gemini their lone blemish on a 3-1 Veronica Harrigan Division performance including wins over Woodstock CI, Woodstock Huron Park and London Clarke Road.

“We got all our girls in and played well,” said Colldock, crediting the Stampeders for having one dominant star who carried their attack. “She is just a phenomenal player.”

Cornish scored one try for Tillsonburg which was awarded a second via penalty.

Colldock was happy with the Gemini performance in both outings, playing well individually and collectively as a team.

“They played together and brought each other up.”

Colldock also credited this season’s opposition for displaying good sportsmanship throughout, competing hard, but fairly on the field.

“I hope we carried that into our games as well so the other teams felt the same way about us.”

Across her four years of coaching, the Gemini program has gone from struggling to field a team to this year’s strength in numbers, particularly among the junior grades which bodes well for its future.

“It’s always a positive to see a sport grow in general, particularly one that can provide girls that physical outlet they don’t always get in other sports.”

Most teams benefit from club membership and Glendale is no exception says Colldock, if challenged by the fact the closest options are in London, Waterford and Brantford. However, Cornish, Meyer, Allie Deroo, Sienna Waterhouse, Emmy Gray and Jordyn Androusick brought out-of-school experience to the squad and along with other veteran players provided leadership throughout the regular season and playoffs.

“Everything is trending the way it should be trending for a team which is growing and being more successful.”