When Ciara Malone retired as a provincial champion in gymnastics, few would have guessed what sport had become her newfound passion.
It was two years ago when Malone broke the news to her gymnastics coach she no longer would continue her 25-hour a week training schedule so she could pour her energy full-time into rugby.
"I told him at the start that I would be quitting at the end of the year," explained the 17-year-old from Tsawwassen. "He was definitely surprised but understood my decision.
I still put everything into it and finished on a high (as provincial level II open champion)."
Malone was intrigued with rugby when she saw a match on TV. Despite a word of caution from her mom, she signed up for a camp that summer and was hooked.
She not only made into the boys rugby program at Magee secondary, she captained the Grade 8 team. She even attended tryouts for the zone boys team for the B.C. Summer Games.
"I was told after the first tryout they wouldn't be taking a girl," Malone laughed.
At 14, she switched over to women's rugby, facing opponents who were typically 10 years her senior or more.
That didn't stop her from being named the most outstanding back of the Meralomas' second team and she promptly earned promotion to the senior squad where she has been a fixture since, playing fullback.
Making sure Malone wasn't going to be overwhelmed by being part of an adult team was Meralomas star and national team member Brittany Waters.
"She has been my inspiration and my mentor," said the now Grade 12 student.
"She is an incredible player and has helped me not only fully appreciate the game but the opportunities to represent your province and one day your country."
Making a name for herself in the senior women's ranks helped Malone quickly establish herself as one of the top junior players in the province. While there is limited opportunities for girls to play at the high school level, at least in in the Lower Mainland, she has benefitted from playing in a much more competitive environment.
She has been part of the provincial program the past three years and last summer helped Team B.C. place second at the National Rugby Festival in Calgary.
She is about to represent her province again, this time as one of three Lower Mainland players on the B.C. Banshees who will be competing at this week's Las Vegas International Seven-Aside Rugby Invitational. The event is one of the largest rugby tournaments in the world with over 200 teams competing in women's men's and youth divisions.
Rugby Sevens continues to grow and the more wide open version of the sport - seven on the field instead of 15 - received a huge boost when it was added to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Malone, who is noted for her outstanding speed and agility, should thrive even more with the additional space to operate.
She is leaning towards continuing her career next fall with the UBC women's program but hasn't ruled out other options including the University of Victoria, which is located near the Canadian Rugby Centre, or even playing south of the border.
"I hope to one day play for the national team and the fact it is based out of Victoria would be to my advantage," explained Malone. "However, UBC has an excellent team and their coach use to play for Canada and has national team connections. Both would be good choices."
A potential U.S. scholarship could arise in Las Vegas. Not only is the tournament being scouted, but Malone will be among a number of prospects attending a combine where she will be put through a series of tests.
