Ugly loss marks start of a season of learning

[attach]5802[/attach]After Don Mills CI’s devastating 49-0 loss to Newtonbrook SS, the coach of the senior boys rugby says his team has a lot to learn.

“Whether it’s right after a score for us or a score against us, the common question is: how can we get better?” says head coach Dan Kunanec. “The point is that every phase, every play, every half, every game get better, learn from it. Whether it’s a win or a loss, learn from it and get better.”

Grade 11 student Ben Hiesz, who was not in the lineup for the April 27 match due to an ACL injury, agrees with his coach that this game was a good learning experience.

“I think this is a good wake up call,” he says. “We need to work harder.”

Teammate Liam Tapp agrees. He thinks the team didn’t give it their all.

“It was rough,” he says. “It was a bit of a disappointment when some of our teammates got a little angry at the other team.”

Despite the hit, Don Mills plans on taking it in and working together to take on the next team.

“It’s less about our wins and losses and more about what we’ve created as a program,” says head coach Dan Kunanec.

“We see each other as one big family pretty much,” says team manager Abdulla Ali. “If someone needs help with homework, we’ll help them with homework. If someone needs help with personal problems, we’ll help them out. It’s just one really big family and our coach is the dad.”

Grade 12 Chris Atwell agrees wholeheartedly.

“We’re a band of brothers,” he says. “We all work together, we all lose together, and we all win together.”

And the idea of being brothers is at the core of program.

“These guys really believe in each other and stick up for each other,” Kunanec says. “They let each other know when someone maybe isn’t doing the right thing in a kind, brotherly way.”

The team has a lot of inexperienced players who’ve never played rugby before, so the mentorship of the veterans is key to this year’s program.

“They are all amazing athletes and great guys,” says Kunanec.

“But they are just learning the game of rugby, so the goal throughout the season as we get ready for the playoffs is for them to learn the game quickly.”