Cam Smith remembers when he first began playing rugby, not knowing much about the sport. But once he got on the pitch, the Grade 8 student fell in love with the game.

Five years later, Smith enjoys seeing others learn and develop that same passion he did for the sport.

The 91原创 Secondary Grade 12 student was a key in helping the Saints field a senior girls team for the first time in about 10 years this spring, serving as an assistant coach, despite the fact these were his classmates and he was also co-captain of the senior boys squad.

The players were completely raw to the game, including some of them not even knowing what a rugby ball looked like. But by the time the season concluded last month, these same girls were pestering Smith with information about where they could play next.

鈥淚t just made me smile and think back to Grade 8 when I didn鈥檛 know what the ball looked like,鈥� he said with a smile.

On Monday, Smith was honoured with the Bill Turpin Award, which is presented annually to a senior high school player in the 91原创 School District who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship and dedication to the game of rugby.

He was presented the award at DW Poppy Secondary.

Prior to the awards, Canadian rugby player Kayla Moleschi 鈥� who helped win bronze in Rugby Sevens at the 2016 Olympics 鈥� spoke to the players. She also spoke at three elementary schools, a middle school and another high school in the district that day.

鈥淗e is a physical force on the field and an excellent rugby player,鈥� said Saints coach Jordan Howlett. 鈥淏ut that is not why he is getting the award.

鈥�(Cam) took a lot of pride in (coaching) and I don鈥檛 think he knows the impact he has had on the girls in the school that were part of it.鈥�

In addition to coaching and playing, Howlett said the Saints rugby coaches knew they could count on Smith when they were in a bind and needed a last-minute referee. And when he did officiate a match, Smith would take the time to explain to the younger players the rules and why he was making a certain call.

Howlett said Smith would stop by his office to go over drills he planned on running during practice and the best thing was, Howlett was able to use those same drills for his own practices.

鈥淗is best qualities are highlighted when he is coaching,鈥� he added.

Smith played a handful of sports growing up but when he gave rugby a try five years ago, something just clicked.

鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 very mobile so I just thought this is the sport for me,鈥� he explained. 鈥淵ou took the big and the small guys and made them work together. And that camaraderie got to me as a Grade 8.鈥�

Smith has progressed in the sport steadily enough to play on regional and provincial teams.

He was also recently one of the final cuts for Canada鈥檚 U18 squad.

He plans to head to New Zealand after graduation to pursue the sport.

鈥淎nd hopefully get that knowledge and bring it back here and teach it,鈥� Smith said.