Coffey taps Hudson Barnaby as first recruit in rebuild

Tommies Men's Rugby new Head Coach has landed his first recruit in Hudson Barnaby of Listuguj Mi' gmaq First Nation.  

The graduate of Sugarloaf Senior High School will join the rebuilding Tommies to compete in the challenging NB-PEI University Rugby League.  Barnaby brings a wealth of rugby pedigree to the Tommies as he played in the U18 New Brunswick Indigenous Spruce, along the U18 NB Spruce and a member of the U19 National Championship Atlantic Rock team.  He participated in the U18 Canada program and was invited to the U20 Canada ID Camps as an 18-year old.  He is currently a member of the U20 Fredericton Loyalists program which Coach Coffey is involved in club development.  Of the field, Hudson is passionate about his community and the pathway of reconciliation for our region's First Nations.

In choosing St. Thomas, Hudson mentions: "I think the environment is the best fit for me. I feel like the sports along with the educational side of the university is a great choice for me. The Tommies Rugby team has welcomed me with open arms and I’m ready to commit to the team and give everything I have to offer.”

Incoming Coach Coffey mentions he is getting a great player with a better attitude in joining his program.  "He is a goal oriented young man who knows what he wants from an academic standpoint, as well as the from game of rugby.  His on-field resume speaks for itself, that said, we are really interested in how he will fit into, and build upon, our team culture.  Rugby is truly full team effort, but to have a player of his calibre commit to our program will certainly provide a spark to our game and influence our identity as we continue to build.”

Although Covid implications has cancelled the 2020 Fall Season, St. Thomas fall sport student-athletes will have the opportunity to train and develop their skills with training sessions starting in mid-September in building up to the 2021 Fall Season.