Beth Cudmore's got talent on the rugby field

Beth Cudmore has played no less than 22 sports in her 16 years including rep soccer, volleyball and competitive cheerleading.

When she was 8-years-old she even did MMA wrestling.

But last March, the Innisdale student tried rugby for the first time and found the sport loves.

After playing for less than a year, the talented athlete is attending tryouts this weekend for Canada's national Rugby Team.

"It's a big step forward. I'm really excited. It would be really cool if I did make it," said Beth. "We could go to the Commonwealth Games."

And if she makes the cut, she'll be heading to Las Vegas for qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games.

The 'carded athlete' which means possible Olympian, trains with Rugby Canada at the Pan Am Centre in Toronto three times a week.

She has played for Toronto, Ontario and has set her sights on the Canadian team, despite her youth.

Beth says she has the three elements required to be a good player: speed, power and toughness.

"You have to have a high pain tolerance," she said.

Cudmore is also a recent recipient of the RBC Future Olympic Program funding.

She was chosen out of more than 2,000 athletes from across the country who were tested. That number was whittled down to 300 and out of those only thirty - including Beth - were awarded funding to start or boost their Olympic journey.

She was tabbed as an Olympic prospect for other sports including track and field and cycling but rugby is her favourite.

"I'm hooked on it. It's not just the actual game it's the people around you too. I really love the girls too. We're like a big family."

In Grade 10, she moved to Innisdale Secondary School where her dad teaches P.E. because she wanted to play football. Dad wouldn’t let her play football with the boys fearing she'd get hurt.

Innisdale rugby coach, Trevor Parker, suggested Beth try rugby and so at 15 she picked up a rugby ball for the first time. She was instantly recognized by Parker and others as having talent on the rugby field and was fearless, tackling any player no matter how big.

She played Rugby 15s for her school as well as doing 4 other high school sports last year and was awarded Grade 10 female athlete of the year.

It was during one of those first high school games that she caught the eye of Sandro Fiorino, the Women’s Coach for Rugby Canada. Fiorino previously scouted Team Canada player, Megan Lukan who is also from Barrie, in very similar circumstances.

Beth’s goals are to help Team Canada win Olympic Gold and to become a fighter pilot in the Canadian military.

She is proud to be part of helping Barrie earn a reputation for being a 'hot spot' for rugby in Ontario.

And she encourages young people to aim high and don't give up.

"Just try the sports you want to go for. Shoot for your dreams. Go for it and try new things. I didn't get to rugby until my 22nd sport."