MONDAY'S MUSINGS - CHLOE HILL-HUSE

June 2, 2025 Posted in Canada Rugby / CW Rugby / Giving Back / Rugby Club / Victoria BC / News / Girls Rugby / B.C. Rugby / Community / Coaching / Refereeing / Fifteens / VIRU Tide Rugby / High School / Senior Women / Girls U16-U18

UNSUNG HERO - ON THE FIELD

CW: Chloe, it has been five years since we talked to you. At that time, you were on the verge of enrolling at UVic. Lots of water has flown under the bridge as you now enter your penultimate year. Let’s find out some of what has taken place in the intervening years.

Firstly, how are your studies coming along? What degree are you working towards? Are there plans for further academics? If not, what do you see in the future related to the application of your degree?

Chloe: My studies are going well – I’m currently completing a degree in Recreation and Health Education at the University of Victoria, with just two courses remaining until I graduate in December 2025. Within my degree, I’ve completed five co-op work terms, each designed to build my resume and gain practical experience. These co-op placements have all involved working in sports and recreation settings, reinforcing my passion for coaching, youth development and community outreach. Ultimately, my dream is to coach full-time, using my education and experience to empower young athletes and create supportive, inclusive sporting environments. Another goal is to pursue a master’s degree in Coaching Studies at the University of Victoria, but that’s a five-year plan rather than an immediate step.

CW: Chloe, you are a great example of an outstanding “student athlete”. How do you make both descriptors work successfully? What are some examples of your athletic achievements (don’t be modest)?

Chloe: Balancing academics and athletics have been a significant part of my life since high school, teaching me how to stay focused, manage my time effectively, and stay committed to my goals. Choosing a degree in Recreation and Health Education has been a natural fit, as my studies align closely with my passion for sport and coaching. This connection makes it easier to prioritize academics, as they’re directly tied to my athletic pursuits. However, there are times when school and rugby conflict, and that’s when I have to dig deep and sometimes make sacrifices. Being a student-athlete is about more than just excelling on the field – it’s about bringing the same drive, discipline, and resilience into the classroom, and I take pride in striving for success in both areas. As a rugby player, I’ve had the privilege of representing multiple teams, including Rugby Canada in age grade. I’ve also competed for BC Rugby since 2016 and the University of Victoria since 2020, both of which have been instrumental in my development as a player.

However, my most impactful athletic experience came in 2023 when I moved to New Zealand to play club rugby. I joined the Mount Maunganui Marlins in the Bay of Plenty, where we went undefeated and claimed the Baywide Women’s 2023 Championship. I was honored to receive the Breakout Player of the Year Award and earned a spot with the Provincial BOP Volcanix women’s team, a step up that challenged me to elevate my game even further.

Chloe, with dad and former CW President, Brian, at the home of NZ rugby - Eden Park.

CW: CW is so lucky to have discovered and helped develop another wonderful rugby player. When did you start playing and what/who has been your main inspiration?

Chloe: Castaway Wanderers is where my rugby journey began, and I have this club to thank for all my success. When I was eleven, I went to watch my first rugby game, and a woman approached me and suggested I give it a try. She told me where and when a local club practiced. Years later, I learned that woman was Stef White de Goede, the first captain of the inaugural Canadian Women’s National Team. At the time, I had no idea who she was, but her simple encouragement changed the course of my life. I was inspired by the amazing coaches and seeing so much diversity in body types and found a space where I could fit in and be appreciated.

CW: Chloe, we have seen you play at hooker, flanker and lately, in the centers, not to mention other cameos! What is your favorite position and why?

Chloe: I started my rugby journey playing lock, but after my first season with BC Rugby, I transitioned to hooker, where I’ve found both success and a true sense of belonging. Hooker has definitely become my favorite position – I love the power of the scrum, the head games, and the challenge of throwing in the lineouts. It’s a role that demands precision, strength, and tactical thinking, and it’s where I feel most at home.

That being said, my dream position has always been inside the centre. I want to thank Caitie McNally for giving me a shot and trusting me to play in the 12 jersey this season, you make my dreams come true! I loved playing in the centers and stretching my legs a bit and showcased a different side of my skill set. I would love to pursue a life in the backs, but my true calling is frontrow. I’ve also spent some time playing flank for CW, and while I loved the experience, there’s a certain tenacity, we’ll call it, required to be a full-time flanker that I’m not sure I possess. For now, my heart remains firmly in the front row however I hope to dabble in many more positions for CW in the future.

CW: As a mature, motivated individual, we congratulate you on being an excellent role model and leader for your peers and young girls. We have seen you put in many superb eighty minutes as a player, and with the whistle. It has recently come to our attention that you will be trying your hand as a coach with Jr Tide this summer. What has inspired this and what are your expectations?

Chloe: I’ve always looked up to the coaches and leaders who have shaped my rugby journey. I’ve been fortunate to have incredible coaches over the years, and my interest in coaching really began when I started helping with CW U12s several years ago. Since then, I’ve dabbled in various coaching opportunities, and through my experience coaching at SMUS since 2021, I’ve truly grown to love it.

Over the past two years, I’ve been actively seeking out more coaching roles, so I was incredibly excited to be named head coach of the U17 Jr Tide team. My main goal this season is to help get as many South Island players onto the BC Rugby radar as possible. I also want to ensure these girls feel confident in difficult areas like scrums and lineouts, while creating an environment where they can ask questions, develop new skills, and—most importantly—have fun.

CW: What is the future of rugby for Chloe, what are your goals?

Chloe: I’ll be finishing my final season with UVic this September, and it’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that I’m graduating. UVic has played such an instrumental role in my rugby development, and I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences and growth I’ve had there. That said, I’m also excited for what’s next—my plan is to head overseas, likely to Australia, to play some club rugby and explore the game in a new environment. I’d also love the opportunity to experience rugby in England and hopefully work with a rugby-governing body. No matter where I go, though, I see many more seasons with CW in the future. It’s home.

CW: This picture that you have painted for your future based on your current interests and achievements appears wonderfully rosy. If we were to conduct this interview in ten years’ time, what might we see and talk about?

Chloe: Ten years from now, I hope we’d be talking about a full-circle journey—one where I’ve had the chance to play rugby at a high level internationally, maybe in Australia or England, and also step into meaningful leadership roles off the field. Along the way, I’ll have earned a degree in coaching, which has helped me grow as both an educator and a leader in sport. Ideally, I’d be working within a rugby-governing body or sport organization, using my experience to shape programs that empower young athletes, especially girls, to stay in sport and thrive.

I imagine we’d reflect on my coaching journey too—how it started with U12s and evolved into something bigger, perhaps even leading provincial or national youth programs. And hopefully, we’d talk about how I helped build environments where athletes not only improved their skills, but felt valued, confident, and inspired to lead themselves.

And of course, I’d still be rocking the CW jersey—because no matter where life takes me, I’ll always come home to that community.

CW: There is life away from the classroom and rugby pitch. How do you spend any spare time?

Chloe: To be honest there is not much time I am spending away from the classroom or the rugby pitch. Living on the Island means we get to play rugby year-round, so if I’m not playing, I’m usually coaching or refereeing. However, I love spending time with my friends outside on a dog walk or a beach playing spike ball. Although, I’ll admit, even during those moments we usually are talking about rugby!

CW: Chloe, thank you so much for taking the time to supply depth and honesty to your answers. We look forward to watching you progress with your goals.

Chloe: Thank you so much—I really appreciate the opportunity to share my journey. I’m grateful for all the support from the CW community and excited for what’s ahead!

FOOTNOTE

Chloe started at hoooker last Saturday for VIRU Senior Women's Reps (Blues), in their match against Vancouver counterparts. This was the second in the series. The Blues completed the brace at Wallace Field, 41 - 24, this after winning the opener 61 - 7 in Vancouver. Chloe was surrounded by current Tricolor women and past age grade teammates. Faith Tilley, Jesse Knaggs, Regan Casey, Shay Ogurek, Ella O'Regan, Bella Anderton-Teasdale, Remee Brown, Emkily Currey were all in the starting XV. Off the bench, Josie Anzai, Chanelle Edwards-Challenger, Marina Skankun, Gwynnie Fry and Jorja Cook, complimented the roster. 'onya, ladies!