Courtenay Rugby Player Honors Father’s Memory, Lives Her Dream on Team Canada
Jessica Postle, a rugby player from Courtenay, is living out her dream on Team Canada while honoring the memory of her late father. Jessica’s journey in rugby started 19 years ago when her father, Geoff, who was an avid rugby player himself, welcomed her into the world. Although Geoff had hoped for a son to follow in his footsteps, he soon realized that his daughters, including Jessica, had a passion for the sport just like him.
Geoff became deeply involved in his daughters’ rugby journey and even coached them when they signed up to play in high school. He was a tough coach with a soft heart, always pushing his daughters to be their best on the field. As Jessica excelled in the sport, she received a full scholarship at Central Washington University.
Geoff was overjoyed when Team Canada reached out to Jessica during her first summer break, inviting her to try out for the U20 team. He planned to travel with her and watch her compete in Ottawa. However, tragedy struck just two weeks before the tryouts when Geoff suffered an unexpected heart attack and passed away.
Devastated by her father’s death, Jessica contemplated dropping out of the competition. But she remembered the words he had spoken to her a week before his passing, telling her that she had what it takes to make Team Canada. Determined to honor her father’s memory, Jessica packed her bags and attended the tryouts.
The journey was bittersweet for Jessica. She kept looking for her father on the field, hoping to see his proud smile. It was the moments when she looked into the crowd and realized he wouldn’t be there that were the hardest. Despite the pain, she persevered.
A month after Geoff’s passing, Jessica received the incredible news that she had been named to Team Canada’s U20 women’s team. Her father’s belief in her had become a reality. On the day of her first game, Jessica’s mother found a video that Geoff had made the previous year. In the video, he expressed his pride and love for his daughter. As Jessica watched the video before her game, it felt like her father was there with her, cheering her on.
Now back at school on a full rugby scholarship, Jessica is focused on her studies to become a high school teacher. She hopes to return to her hometown of Comox and continue her father’s legacy by coaching rugby or becoming a counselor. Jessica is grateful for the time she had with her father and credits him for shaping her into the strong woman she is today.
The story of Jessica Postle’s rugby journey serves as a reminder of the power of perseverance, determination, and the enduring bond between a father and daughter. Despite the untimely loss of her father, Jessica has found the strength to fulfill her dreams and make her father proud. She is a testament to the legacy he left behind and the impact one person can have on another’s life.
