A couple of high school athletes are using CrossFit to help train for another rugby season in Williams Lake.

Lake City Secondary School Grade 12 students Kalli Campbell and Gabrielle Knox have both been playing rugby for a few years now. As they gear up to compete in their final season with the school, they are also relying on their CrossFit training to help them succeed on the pitch, drawing inspiration from their coach in the process.

Their rugby coach, Natasha 香蕉视频直播楾asha香蕉视频直播� Johnson, is also the gym manager at Total Ice Gym, where she does CrossFit training and works alongside many rugby athletes whom she also coaches, like Campbell and Knox. She currently divides her time between the gym, hockey and rugby teams, and her experience with CrossFit-style training has helped her when she香蕉视频直播檚 coaching on the ice or pitch, and she is hoping to inspire the next generation of athletes.

香蕉视频直播淚 strongly believe that those who inspire us have the power to inspire others as well,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Knox first got into rugby because of Johnson and CrossFit, and has been playing for three years now. She used to swim competitively and would always work out at Total Ice. Once she quit swimming, she chose to stay at Total Ice to keep fit and eventually got into CrossFit, which then led her to rugby.

香蕉视频直播淲ith Tasha being the coach for both CrossFit and rugby, I got more and more involved in the rugby community,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淐rossFit and Total Ice Gym [have] been amazing for keeping me fit and strong for rugby and my other endeavours.香蕉视频直播�

Campbell was inspired by Knox along with Johnson, who was also her rugby coach at that time as well, to give CrossFit a try. She started doing CrossFit when she was in Grade 10, and competed in the CrossFit Games that same year. The competition involved uploading CrossFit scores online, and Campbell placed 11th in all of Canada.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a great way to stay fit if you like cardio and strength training,香蕉视频直播� Campbell said. 香蕉视频直播淭he community is also very welcoming and inclusive, which is an awesome atmosphere to be in when you are pushing yourself.香蕉视频直播�

Since Knox was first introduced to rugby in the fall of 2021, she has gone on to play club rugby, in addition to the school team, having recently competed in Australia with the BC Bears sevens team. She explained that she went to Total Ice constantly, like she still does now, to get into prime condition for that tournament.

香蕉视频直播淥verall, rugby and CrossFit have been a huge part of my life,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 so thankful to have Tasha as my coach for both.香蕉视频直播�

When Johnson first started playing rugby, she admired a coach from the opposing school. The coach, Claire Lee, was 香蕉视频直播渋ncredibly strong and knowledgeable,香蕉视频直播� and her team respected her greatly, according to Johnson.

Despite having multiple coaches throughout her rugby journey, Johnson credits Lee for showing her another side to preparation and training.

香蕉视频直播淐laire, who was not only an amazing player but also an exceptional coach, taught me the importance of off-field training for overall health,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淐laire was always the voice of reason and encouragement, pushing me to excel and reach higher levels of play.香蕉视频直播�

Johnson was then taken under the wing of strength coach Elliot Richardson during her time at Acadia. He provided Johnson with opportunities to work as a strength and conditioning coach for other varsity teams and youth groups.

She also attended a CrossFit gym, where she learned more about building a supportive community, and this experience fueled her desire to create a similar environment at her Total Ice gym.

香蕉视频直播淲ith the help of Claire and Brendan Lane, we started incorporating CrossFit-style training, fostering a sense of community within our gym,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淐laire, who originally inspired me in the gym and on the field, is now my best friend and training partner. She continues to be my sidekick and cheerleader.香蕉视频直播�

In addition to the Lake City team, Johnson also coaches club rugby for girls in the fall, and she loves being able to work with and inspire the girls both in the gym and on the field.

香蕉视频直播淚 firmly believe in giving back the time and inspiration that I have received,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淚t truly is the best life, being able to make a positive impact on their lives.香蕉视频直播�

Both Campbell and Knox are looking forward to the rest of the rugby season, hoping to once again place at the provincials. They brought home bronze last year in 15s and bronze in sevens the year before. They recently competed in an invitational sevens tournament, and both were positive with the way they kick-started their final year with Lake City.

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