Heart of the Axe: Sara Grant

Heart of the Axe is a weekly feature from the perspective of Axemen and Axewomen student-athletes. It dives deeper into why they decided to attend Acadia, what drives them athletically, how they got started in their sport, the impact Acadia has had on them during their time in Wolfville and much more. 

This week's feature athlete is fourth-year rugby Axewoman and science major Sara Grant. Grant was named the AUS women's rugby MVP in 2023-24, is a two-time U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian, a four-time AUS all-star and an 2024 AUS women's rugby champion. 

I'm living proof that the championship journey isn't just about the destination.

It's about the path you take along the way.

In my four years with the Acadia Axewomen, I had four incredibly special teams.

But this year, there was something different in the air.

Despite having a young team that consisted of many first and second years, we played with courage, bravery, and toughness.

We put up a convincing regular season and then sealed it with a perfect playoff record to get our white hats!

There were so many veterans that paved the way for us to be where we are today. In my mind, they deserved probably five of their own white hats but didn’t get them.

So, when we won that game and got to put those pretty white hats on our heads, it wasn’t just for ourselves or for our teammates, family, and supporters.

It was for every single Axewomen rugby alum who was part of this program.

It was a special moment in time that I will cherish forever.

WINNING A WHITE HAT

When we played in the final, we played one heck of a first half against StFX (24-5), and then they made their way back and took the lead with minutes left in the game.

Afterward, people kept telling me, “I didn’t think you guys were going to be able to pull it off.”

It’s funny because, yes, we might have been down, but there was never a doubt in my mind that we couldn’t come back from it.

So, when we scored and were eventually awarded a penalty, and I got to kick the ball out of bounds to end the game, I don’t even think there are words to describe how proud I was — and how proud I am — of this team for what we did that night, but also for what we did to get ourselves there.

I have never seen a more resilient and determined group.

I am the luckiest captain ever.

One of my favourite parts of that game is that I never stopped believing in who we were as a team.

Was the game 100% anxiety-provoking for the last 15 minutes?

Absolutely.

But my faith in this team never wavered because winners win, and I don’t have a better term to describe this family other than winners.

When that final whistle blew, I think I blacked out.

All I remember is bawling my eyes out to Jard (Amanda Jardine) and the coaches from the emotional rollercoaster that was an 80-minute championship rugby game with my favourite people beside me on the pitch or in the stands cheering.

THE BEST KIND OF MEMORIES

One of the many things I love about our team is that the night before every game, we come together for some team time so we can connect with each other and loosen up before game day.

More often than not, we play some games and have some laughs.

Those moments are some of my favourite memories.

Honestly, after the season we just had and the team I got to do it with, I could hang my boots up right now and be proud of one heck of a career.

‘Axewomen pride truly does have no equal.’

I’m going to miss this team so much next year.

WELCOMING A MENTOR BACK TO ACADIA

I’ve been lucky enough to have had many amazing coaches, role models, and mentors that date back to third grade, but there is one who deserves an acknowledgment considering he got me my white hat.

I met Matt Melanson in my second year at Acadia.

He came to practice once a week, came to our games, and while we didn’t see him too often, whatever he said, we did.

I immediately told my parents that this new coach at Acadia is one of the most knowledgeable coaches I had ever had the chance to play for.

After the season ended, coach Melanson (and Amanda Jardine) convinced me to train with the senior women Keltics, and I got to play for him off and on for the last year and a half.

And my feedback to anyone who asks has always remained the same — the most passionate, supportive, caring, and knowledgeable coach in Nova Scotia, and I hope to play for his team for as long as he’ll have me.

Fast forward to this summer when coach (Matt) Durant told us coach Melanson was making his return to Acadia.

I don’t know if I’ve ever screamed so loud after reading that email.

I told anyone who would listen that with this year’s coaching staff, there would be no doubt about success for the program.

And white hats or not (but thankfully we do have them), what Matt Melanson helped Acadia women’s rugby achieve is exactly that — success.

We are lucky to have all three of our coaches, and I am appreciative of each of them, but Matt Melanson is someone who I consider to be such a cool person and one of my favorite role models.

GETTING BETTER EVERY YEAR

It’s funny, but I don’t really have a system for setting goals.

I often set my goals for something in the moment.

I always want to push myself to achieve the best result that I can, and even when I do it, I know I’ll want more from myself the next time around.

I think that’s why I was able to improve my game year after year.

Last season was incredible for me individually, being named AUS MVP and a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian, but in the end, it is all about the team.

I do know that I play my best when I am taking the field with my best friends and we are laughing, smiling, and enjoying the game.

My parents always joke that if the other team sees us laughing out there, they better buckle up.

Something that was really special to me this year was playing beside people that trust me to do my job and who I trust to do theirs.

We had no “weak links” or vulnerabilities on the field.

We all had complete faith in one another to do our jobs and get up for the people beside us.

And we did.

All the way to a championship.

I’ll never forget that feeling.