As fields start to freeze over, so will Concordia’s fall sports — but not its athletes.
Whether it’s football, rugby, or soccer, these outdoorsy disciplines can only last so long when it gets colder. But what do Concordia’s student athletes do when the offseason arrives?
“In fall, there’s much more pressure. It’s way more competitive,” rugby player Nicole Amaral said.
There are several reasons why these fall sports aren’t played during the colder months, especially in a country like Canada. The harsh winter conditions make it almost impossible — playing soccer in -10°C temperatures on a slippery, icy field is far from ideal. Indoor facilities are often unavailable, being instead used for winter sports like hockey and basketball. Additionally, there’s the risk of overworking athletes, which is why separating sports by season has become a tradition in university sports.
These challenges define the sports calendar and shape the athlete’s offseason, which becomes essential for recovery and preparation.
For Concordia Stingers men’s soccer player Michael Valentino Santanella, planning is the key to surviving the winter off-season. As a player for both the Stingers and AS Blainville, his winter quickly fills up with training and gym sessions.
“During the winter, we still have two practices a week during the semester, along with two gym sessions,” he said. The Stingers men’s soccer team also plays occasional friendly games. According to Santanella, they place significant emphasis on recovery while maintaining solid training. “We do recovery after each training, take ice baths, and stretch after every session. We’ve got a solid injury prevention program.”
Even in the offseason, Santanella stays on top of his game. “I go to the gym every day for a good 30 minutes. I also try not to eat too much sugar,” he said.
Rosalie Girouard, goalkeeper on the Stingers women’s soccer team, said the biggest difference between the fall and winter season lies in the mental aspect of the game.
“The workload in terms of training is quite similar, but the hardest part during the season is having two games a week, which can be tough physically and mentally,” Girouard explained.
The offseason, for her, is a chance to refocus and develop as a player. “In the offseason, we can concentrate on our development and getting stronger without the pressure of winning games or making [the] playoffs.”
Like the men’s soccer team, the women’s team also plays friendly matches. “Our coaches do a great job finding competitive teams for us to face during the offseason,” she said.
Stingers women’s rugby player Nicole Amaral, now in her fourth year, said the winter offseason provides a crucial opportunity to fill gaps in her training.
“Our fall season is very short but intense. We don’t have much time to focus on individual rugby skills because we’re more concentrated on plays and team chemistry,” she said. “In winter, we get to focus more on skills.”
Beyond training, friendly games and recovery sessions, the team also bonds through dinners and “check-ins,” which are meetings focused on performance expectations. On a personal level, Amaral doesn’t stop at team practices to get her exercise.
“I love going to the gym — maybe even more so during winter. Last year, I tried spinning and yoga because I wanted to try a little bit of everything,” she said.
Amaral believes staying active in different ways gives her the freedom to enjoy sports without the pressure to perform.
“I love skiing, and I run as well. It’s great to play a sport just for fun. Also, it’s so much harder to lose shape and try to get it back before the season, so it’s better to stay active, even if it’s in different ways.”