Panthers add speedy wing in Lauren Bull

By Thomas Becker

UPEI's women's rugby program jumped on the scene in 2021 and turned itself into a destination game-changing prospects are seriously considering joining. 

Lauren Bull is the first recruit to join the UPEI team since their memorable season this fall when they finished the year 3–3 for the first time since 2011. The team defeated the St. FX X-Women for the first time in 17 years and later earned their first national ranking.

Bull had already verbally committed to the program before the season started, but she, like many Island rugby aficionados, was excited to watch the season unfold and the bright future revealed along the way.

"Out of everything, what impressed me most was them beating X for the first time in 17 years and being ranked in the U SPORTS top-10," said the Okotoks, Alberta native.

Since his promotion as head coach, James Voye has already created a winning environment with players believing they can take down any opponent, and the exciting part is he's just getting started. 

Voye is currently scouring the country hoping to add the missing pieces to take them from conference semifinalists to finalists and eventually champions.

"When recruiting this offseason, I am putting extra focus on pursuing the provincial and rugby academy level athletes across the country," Voye said. "I'm looking for the student-athletes who are more rugby driven to play at a higher level and focussed on improving as a player both technically and tactically."

Bull was first identified by UPEI when she competed at the Stampede Sevens competition in Alberta with the Foothills Lions RFC as a 14-year-old in the under-17 division. Bull recorded three tries that season and has become one of the club's premier players.

Voye was drawn to Bull's ability to break defences down with her speed. Some of the best teams in the country have a back who can recognize a seam in the defence and burst through it or do damage from the outside edges. Bull gives Voye another playmaker who has a nose for the try zone.

"I feel that Lauren has the skill set, outside speed and defensive ability to help the Panthers continue to push towards our team goals," Voye said. "I'm hopeful that will give us an edge in the outside channels on attack and the ability to track down players defensively to complete a tackle on a line break." 

After watching the Panthers from afar, Bull is eager to make her way to UPEI next fall and help the team break new ground and achieve something greater.

"I'm excited to experience another region of Canada to continue my education," she said. "After meeting Coach Voye and the team captains, I was drawn to the principles and tradition of the team."