If you’re going up against the University of Calgary Dinos rugby team, you’re going to be seeing a lot of the Labelle sisters. Danyka, Kayal, Austyn and Jaityn all play for the Dinos. Jaityn says she’s pretty sure they’re the biggest sister act in varsity sports. “This is, to our knowledge, the very first time on any NCAA or U Sports university level that four sisters have been able to play on the same team,” she said. Hard-hitting Twin sisters Kayel and Austyn were the latest to join the Dinos. They signed with the team in the off-season. When you face the Labelles, you better keep your head up—Kayel says there’s even a name for it. “We like to say it’s getting Labelled,” she said with a laugh. “Just really big hits like that. They don’t come very often because you want to focus on just getting them down. It’s not super easy to hit people and get them down really hard, but it’s really nice when you’re hitting someone and they make that big ‘oof’ noise when they go down.” Proud of their heritage The Labelles are Indigenous. On Truth and Reconciliation Day, the whole team had a smudge ceremony and the sisters taught their teammates how to hoop dance. Danyka says it’s important for others to learn about their traditions. “I think that our team has always been more than a team,” she said. “We’re very much a family, and the fact that it means so much for us to celebrate this day and everyone is willing to come out and support and learn as much as they can and they’re willing to uplift our voices to teach them and other people as well—it means a lot.” More family Not only do the four sisters play on the team, so does their cousin. Kiera Anasol says they didn’t even know they were family at first. “It wasn’t until we looked at our family tree that we realized we were closer than we knew,” she said. “We’ve built a really good bond. … If I didn’t have my cousins on my team, I don’t think I’d be as comfortable.” The Dinos are 1-3 to start the season. They’re at home to face Victoria on Sunday afternoon.
