The return of rugby marks a meaningful chapter for the school, which last fielded a rugby 15s team in 2011. Once a thriving program with a roster of 25 student-athletes from Grades 9 through 12, the team had built a strong sense of community and spirit under the guidance of Carlene Rotherham, longtime HPE teacher and former McGill University rugby player.

“When I was hired in 2001, I was thrilled to coach the rugby 15s team. Those ten years are filled with amazing memories—watching players grow, lead, and create a culture of respect and camaraderie across grades,” Carlene shared. “That program meant a lot to our school.”

But as concerns over injuries, particularly concussions, grew, and as academic demands from the IB Diploma Programme increased, participation in contact sports declined. Branksome’s last 15s season was in the spring of 2011.

Now, in 2025, the tides are turning.

With more robust athletic support—including trained therapists on hand to manage injuries—and renewed student interest, rugby has returned in the form of rugby sevens (or 7s), a version of the sport that emphasizes speed, open-field running and quick decision-making.

Carlene is leading Branksome’s rugby revival alongside new coach Paddy Watson, who joined the school in January 2024 and brings deep international experience to the team.

Watson’s love for rugby began in childhood, when his father—an Irish immigrant—taught him how to kick a ball. Some of his earliest memories are of running around the Burlington Centaurs rugby club. After moving to Calgary, he formally started playing at age 11 for the Calgary Irish. In high school, he helped revive his school’s rugby program, eventually captaining his team to a City Championship and Provincial berth, while laying the foundation for a program that continues to this day.

He went on to play for the University of British Columbia, one of North America’s top collegiate rugby programs, as well as for the Calgary Mavericks U20s, the UBCOB Ravens in the BC Premier League, and abroad in both England and Japan.

“Rugby has been such a huge part of my life,” Watson said. “What I love about it is that there’s a place for everyone—every skill set, every body type. It’s a community before it’s a sport.”

His post-playing career has been just as impressive. From coaching UBC and the Vancouver Wave (which won the 2021 Coastal Cup), to contributing to Rugby Canada’s U20 men’s program, to leading 7s at the University of Toronto and Balmy Beach RFC (2023 McCormick Cup champions), Watson has left his mark at nearly every level of the game.

He also contributed to Canada’s Rugby World Cup presence in 2019 by helping to organize community initiatives in Japan, including the now-famous cleanup in Kamaishi after Typhoon Hagibis—an effort covered by the CBC and emblematic of rugby’s spirit of service.

Now at Branksome, Watson sees massive potential. “Canadian women are among the world’s best in both 7s and 15s,” he said. “With our national women’s 7s team winning silver in Paris and our 15s ranked number two in the world heading into the 2025 Rugby World Cup, this is the perfect time to reintroduce Branksome athletes to the sport. I don’t have to squint to imagine a former Branksome student wearing a red jersey in the Olympics or at a World Cup.”

The Highlanders played their first rugby 7s matches on April 30. While they didn’t notch any wins, the debut was a success in every other sense.

“The athletes played really well—they made some great tackles, passes and runs,” said Carlene. “We are so proud of what they’ve accomplished with only one month of training. We’re looking forward to the rest of the season!”

Grade 10 student Juliana shared, “As a new Grade 10 student with prior rugby experience, I was overjoyed when the revival of the BH Rugby team was announced. I joined to be part of a competitive and supportive team again, and can’t wait to further develop my skills and help the team reach its full potential.”

Ava, a Grade 10 student who is new to rugby, is also thrilled with the team’s return: “Trying rugby as a new sport was so exciting for me because I love any kind of competition! After just a few games, I’ve already started to love the sport, and it’s amazing to see how quickly our team has grown. I’m excited to keep developing my skills and physicality while being part of such a great team.”

As Branksome Hall relaunches its rugby program, it does so not only with historical pride and renewed support, but also with visionary leadership and a national-level ambition. A new era has begun—and the Highlanders are ready for it.