OSHAWA, Ont. - Durham College women's rugby is set to welcome a new face to the program, announcing the addition of Hana Murayama to the Lords roster.

A homegrown talent from Oshawa, she brings with her a compelling mix of leadership experience, championship pedigre, and a true passion for the sport that only began a few years ago.

Murayama, who plays scrum half and centre, has already built an impressive resume across both 15s and 7s formats. She joins Durham after standout seasons with R.S. McLaughlin Collegiate and Vocational Institute and the Oshawa Vikings, arriving on campus ready to make an immediate impact.

"I am very excited for the upcoming school year, and for all the memories there is to make," she said.

Rugby wasn't always Murayama's primary sport. Growing up, she played high-level hockey as a goaltender before discovering rugby in Grade 9. "I was very new to the sport, confused and uncertain if I'd be able to understand," she said.

Despite the early learning curve with her high school's first-ever team, she stuck with it, and everything changed that summer when she joined the Oshawa Vikings.

Her first club season ended with an undefeated record and a provincial championship, a turning point that solidified her love for the game.

"I not only fell in love with the sport for the first time, but grew close to many others that I will forever cherish as lifelong friends," Murayama said. That momentum carried into the next school year, where she returned as a more confident player and eventually stepped into a captain's role.

Murayama's rapid development on the field was matched by her leadership off it. She helped launch her school's first-ever 7s team, guided the program to a third-place finish at the Lake Ontario Secondary School Athletics (LOSSA) championship, and led the 15s squad to the semifinals.

Her efforts were recognized with MVP honours in both formats and back-to-back seasons finishing with academic honours.

She also expanded her experience by competing in 7s tournaments with the Toronto Reds, which she credits for broadening her perspective and deepening her passion for rugby.

"Hana's story really stood out to us. To pick up rugby in Grade 9 and develop into the kind of player and leader she's become says a lot about her work ethic and character," said Head Coach Chris McKee. "She's competitive, and coachable. On top of that, keeping a talented local athlete home is always special for our program."

When it came time to choose a post-secondary destination, Murayama was drawn to Durham College for both its academic offerings and its team culture.

"When I first started training with the team, the group of girls made me fall in love with the program," she said. An on-campus visit during the fall open house confirmed her decision, as she found the Police Foundations program to be a perfect fit for her career interests.

Murayama also credits her Grade 9 gym teacher, Ms. De Souza, for introducing her to the sport that changed her life. "If it wasn't for her, I would never have been able to experience rugby, and I will forever be grateful to her for how far I've come," she said.

The women's rugby team will stay match ready through the summer with their club teams, and look forward to June's schedule drop as they set their sights on a fifth championship.

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