Head coach Craig Beemer is pleased to announce Jean-Christophe Vinette, a talented back from Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, has committed to the Concordia Stingers men's rugby team.
A native of Lorraine, Que., Vinette has played just two years of rugby, but he’s picked up the nuances of the sport quickly.
“Although Jean-Christophe is new to the game, he has a natural ability as a ball carrier,” said the Stingers’ head coach. “He finds the gap and breaks the gain line on every play. He’s naturally aggressive and has a great competitive spirit.”
Vinette is a key piece in Beemer’s rebuilding of the Stingers men’s rugby program. The off-season has involved extensive recruiting and there’s a strong foundation being laid.
“It was important to add depth to the backs and Jean-Christophe is a big part of some young backs we have coming in,” he said. “I’m excited about next year and having J.C. come in will impact our competitiveness at training camp. With the high-end talent we have and the new guys coming in, you’re going to see more from the Stingers.”
Vinette has been part of the Brébeuf Dynamiques program the last two seasons. The Cégep team enjoyed great success those years posting a 6-1 win-loss record in 2015 and a 5-2 record last season. He also played club rugby with Mont Tremblant and will compete for TMR this summer.
After competing in flag football, Vinette was looking for a new challenge. He followed friends to Brébeuf’s rugby program. The first day of contact, he hurt his shoulder and was out for six weeks. He was determined to return and made it back for four games, including the Dynamiques 8-5 victory over John Abbott College.
The Economics student is excited about continuing his career at Concordia.
“My friends speak highly of the program,” Vinette said. “Coach is big on recruiting. There’s lots of good players coming here. I look forward to playing with some of the best Cégep players instead of against them.”
He’s also impressed by what he refers to as the “winds of change,” and being part of a program on the rise.
