Carleton rugby player making a name for herself in the sport

Click to expand

A Carleton University rugby player is a leader with world-class dreams and a love of the game brings her closer to her roots.

For Lauryn Walker, finding rugby meant finding your calling,

“It was when you scored that first goal, as soon as you scored that first goal, you stand up and you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, I like that. I can do that again.'”

Walker says it made an impression with her father, brothers and cousins ​​all playing soccer.

“I’ve always been more of an aggressive kid; my parents signed me up for football and then I realized that aggression was just too much for this sport,” she says.

The Carleton student is making a name for herself in sports. Playing with the Carleton Ravens rugby team brought her to the Jamaica national team. As captain, she helped them qualify for the 2023 Pan American Games, to be held in Chile later this year.

“I played, I scored, I loved the atmosphere, I loved the people and I’ve looked directly at Jamaican rugby ever since,” she says. “Sometimes my heart skips a little beat; it’s like, ‘Whoa, we’re going to the Pan Am games.’

Your experience and leadership, an influence on Carleton teammates.

“Lauryn is just a great positive voice. She knows what she’s doing, she’s been here a long time, so she has everything you need to know covered. She’s just like a great friend,” says teammate Ember Warren.

“She brings a lot of courage and character to the team room. She is a leader on and off the field,” said David Luong, Carleton Ravens women’s rugby head coach.

“She brings a great environment to the team; lots of laughs, lots of giggles but she also pushes the girls to do their best,” says Clarence Gay, Carleton Ravens Women’s rugby strength and conditioning coach.

Carleton University is celebrating Walker with a series designed to promote and highlight the leadership, achievements and experiences of Black people on campus.

For Walker, playing for Jamaica not only advanced the game, it created a connection.

“For me, the moment I got off the plane, it was like, ‘Yes, I’ve been here before’ or ‘Yes, I belong here’. Because I couldn’t help but look at every single person, there was someone who looked like you. You never had to feel out of place,” she says.

Walker says Black History Month is an opportunity to reflect on her accomplishments.

“My ancestors in the past did what they did, they went through what they went through so I can stand here in front of the TV today and explain why I love the sport I love and where it’s taking me .”

Walker is also passionate about working with disadvantaged youth. and recently she was hired as a child care worker in a residential home – hoping to combine her love of sports with a desire to help people.

“Acting as I am inspires other people to not only take the step to play this sport they want to do, but to just be confident in who they are.”