Women's Rugby World Cup: UBC's Carolyn McEwen has a head for the game

The dialogue between athlete and sports psychologist is usually pretty straightforward: Don’t get caught up by what’s coming or what’s gone before; just keep your head cool and in the moment.

When it comes to Rugby Canada’s Carolyn McEwen, that dialogue could easily get turned on its head: she’s a sports psychology teacher at UBC, you see.

“When I am here, I’m present as an athlete,” McEwen said Monday over the phone from the team’s Women’s Rugby World Cup base in Ireland, where Canada opens against Hong Kong on Wednesday (9 a.m. PT, TSN1).

It’s all about keeping perspective. She could easily chip in with her expertise — but that’s not why she’s there. She’s there to play.

Besides, McEwen knows from her own research that keeping it simple is best.

“Knowing what I know, sometimes when we overthink … things don’t actually happen.”

McEwen completed a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont., before moving west to UBC half a decade ago. She earned her PhD from UBC in 2016 and remains an instructor in the school of kinesiology.

McEwen’s a latecomer to the game. A former competitive figure skater, it wasn’t until she was 22 that she first laced up a pair of cleats. A friend dragged her out to a practice and McEwen was almost instantly hooked.

“I love the process,” she said. “I love the challenge of working together with a group of women to achieve a goal.

“Also, I think I was drawn because of the strength, the power, the speed. I enjoy the physicality.”

Yes, the switch from graceful figure skater to powerhouse rugby forward has taken some work. A return to the ice isn’t in the offing, she said.

“Don’t have the body for it anymore,” she said with a laugh.

It’s been a fast move on to the national team path. After just a couple of years of club rugby, McEwen found herself picked to play for the B.C. provincial team.

She was first called up by Canada coach Francois Ratier for the 2015 Women’s Super Series. She played against New Zealand in Calgary.

A loose-head prop, she’s become a vital piece of a powerful Canadian scrum.

The coach said McEwen’s professional knowledge has been nothing but an asset.

“She knows all about the psychology, there’s no worry with her,” he said.

As opponents, Hong Kong are serious underdogs: they’re a distant 23rd-ranked squad to No. 3-ranked Canada. The women’s game has a tight band of three, maybe four title contenders (New Zealand are No. 1, defending champions England are second and France fourth).

Canada’s pool also features the Kiwis, who are seen as heavy favourites, and Wales, who are slotted 10th.

After pool play, it’s straight into the semis for the four pool winners and the best second-place team. There’s no taking the foot off the gas, Ratier said.

“We know we have to play each game hard,” he said. Having 18 players returning from the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup is a huge asset.

And having players who don’t play rugby full time helps for focus as well, he said.

“They know what it takes. They know the mental preparation, and how to lead the new players.”