Herron wins Outstanding Woman of Laurier award
PJC grad making her mark on and off rugby pitch
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Brantford’s Chloe Herron was recently named a recipient of Wilfrid Laurier University’s prestigious Outstanding Woman of Laurier award.
Herron, a varsity rugby player with the Golden Hawks, is the 16th winner of the award, which is presented by RBC.
“For me honestly, it’s probably the biggest accomplishment I could have had,” said the policing and political science double major. “Especially as a second-year (student).
“The other girls are all amazing in their own right. It was amazing to be there with them at such a young age. I’m really grateful.”
Herron, a Pauline Johnson Collegiate graduate, was one of several nominees for the award, which is presented to the person who demonstrates athletic success, academic achievement and a commitment to the development of young athletes through teaching or coaching.
Herron’s athletic success really took off at PJC.
A high-level hockey player, the 19-year-old decided to give rugby a try in Grade 9, but she needed a little push.
“Our coach, Andrew Colton, was so persistent in getting us to come to practice,” said Herron, the daughter of Eric Herron and Kelly Tully-Herron.
“I was playing super high-level hockey at the time and I didn’t know if I wanted to risk that. Him being persistent and one of my friends growing up playing, I thought it would be cool to try it.”
Herron played at PJC in Grades 9 and 10. There were no teams for her final two years of high school but by that time she was playing with the Brantford Harlequins.
“I always knew I wanted to pursue sports at some level past high school,” she said of her desire to remain active.
“Realistically, I don’t think I would be playing at Laurier without those COVID years. There was a lot of opportunity for development through the Quins and I was training with some really amazing individuals.”
Recruited by the Golden Hawks, Herron chose the school because of the rugby team and it had the program she was looking to take. During her two years at Laurier the rugby team hasn’t always been successful in terms of wins and losses but that isn’t the only way Herron is evaluating her time on and off the pitch.
“The scoreboard doesn’t reflect the culture that we have,” said Herron, who normally plays the positon of hooker. “I’ve never been closer with a group of girls. It’s like a family.
“There’s something to be said about a group of women who can show up and regardless of the score they still genuinely enjoy spending time with each other at practice and outside of practice. That’s really what matters to me.”
Herron, who is involved with the school’s Model United Nations club, said her schooling is going well, which helped her earn the award. Another criteria of the award – committing to helping young athletes succeed through coaching or teaching – is something Herron is passionate about.
In the past she has worked with the Brantford Ice Cats and their Ice Kittens program as well as with the Harlequins, coaching an under-12 team last season. Herron is also involved with Iroquois Roots Rugby, an Indigenous-led program that promotes the sport of rugby to First Nations youth in Ontario. Their goals are to grow game, make it accessible for Indigenous children and have young athletes interact with role models.
“Being involved with (the Iroquois Roots Rugby program) has definitely helped me grow in my identity as an athlete and person,” said Herron, who has family from Wiikwemkoong First Nation.
“You’re surrounded by people . . . . who understand something about you on a deeper level. It’s a special thing.”
She said her goal for the final three years of her time at Laurier will remain the same.
“Honestly I think the next three years is just a continuation of what I’ve been doing,” said Herron, who expressed gratitude for the support of teachers and staff at PJC, along with her family.
“Being able to make so much of a difference in two years is amazing so for myself, I just want to see how much more I can do to give back what people have given me because they’ve given so much.
“Given back is super important to me.”
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