Halifax rugby player gears up for hometown-hosted international game
When Cooper Coats first stepped foot on the rugby field in grade 12, he had little idea he would eventually lace up his cleats to represent Canada.
What started as an activity with his Citadel High School friends quickly formed into a rooted lifestyle for Coats.
"Couple buddies were trying out the sport, so I figured I'd come out and join and ended up falling in love with it, started taking it pretty seriously," said Coats.
After high school, he joined the Acadia University rugby team, and was later selected to train at the Sevens program in Victoria B.C.
Now, the athlete is a member on the Canadian team and is gearing up to play Belgium in the Men's Rugby 15s in the city's downtown core.
"Right now, for me, it just sounds so surreal because I'm able to play test match for Canada at home in Halifax downtown. You know, I went to Citadel High School and the school is right there," he said.
He holds Halifax close to his heart, honouring those who have supported his rugby career.
"I can't thank those people enough because those are the people that eventually got me that spotlight to eventually get selected for Canada," he said.
Playing on the field across from his little league soccer stomping grounds allows Coats to appreciate his unforeseen journey, and he adds he is looking forward to having his family at the game.
"I've been trying to take a couple moments during training sessions, this is the field I grew up playing soccer on ever since I was a little kid and just seeing the guys explore Halifax, you know the city that I've grown up in and became the person that I am today, it is pretty incredible to have everyone here," said Coats.
The national team consists of athletes from different backgrounds, which Coats says can make for a strong dynamic throughout the season.
"It's great to see, you know, a collaborative environment with all these different leagues and set ups so it should be a very good team moving forward," he said.
The game will be held at the Wanderers Grounds in Halifax on Saturday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America announced after 114 years that it will change its name and will become Scouting America in an effort to emphasize inclusion as it works to move past the turmoil of bankruptcy and a flood of sexual abuse claims.