Rosalie Lalonde isn’t shy expressing the responsibility she’s grown into with Team Canada.
When Lalonde made her Paralympic debut at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, she was the youngest member on the squad and rapidly climbing up the wheelchair basketball ranks.
Ahead of the scheduled Tokyo Games, the Saint-Clet, Que., native is more aware of her influence on court.
“When I went to Rio—I was 19—everything was exciting and I was going there to live that experience,” said Lalonde. “Now I have a lot more pressure on my shoulders. The way I play is going to have much more of an impact on the team’s results.
“Obviously I’m going to Tokyo to live that experience again but my focus is going to be a lot more on the competition than it was years ago in Rio.”
Lalonde’s determination to deliver results for the Canadian Senior Women’s National Team has coincided with her ascension at the University of Alabama.
In her final season with the Crimson Tide, the 23-year-old captured her third collegiate national championship. Lalonde dropped a team-best 27 points in the deciding game to conclude her collegiate career with the Roll Tide.
Congratulations to the 2021 National Champions. Women’s leading scorers were Rosie Lalonde with 27 points, Kate Lang with 19, & Bailey Moody with 15 points. Thank you for cheering on the tide!
Pictures are available for purchase with the link below. https://t.co/Q3gJXiJsoN pic.twitter.com/RnL8PlTYmX
— UA Adapted Athletics (@alabamaadapted) March 16, 2021
“I had the chance to play one last tournament and one last game with the University of Alabama this weekend. I got to wear the Alabama uniform and to share the court with my incredible team for one more time. Despite the difficult and unlucky season we had, I am very happy with the way my college career ended. This team means the world to me,” said Lalonde via Instagram, studying Human Development and Family Studies.
With her five-year scholarship and time in Tuscaloosa, Alabama coming to an end, Lalonde chooses to reflect on the growth she’s made outside the gym.
“I’m a lot more independent. Coming here by myself, I didn’t speak much English at the time. I think I did a lot better than I expected adjusting to a new country. The biggest thing I got from here is the people I met and the relationships I made. That’s what really helped me to become who I am today. I learned a lot from people here.”
As those around the world celebrated International Women’s Day—March 8—members of Team Canada reflected upon the unique challenges of the past year.
The COVID-19 pandemic, Tokyo 2020 postponement and a cloud of uncertainty over athlete eligibility for the Paralympics dealt the Canadian women a number of obstacles to overcome.
Lalonde, along with her Canadian teammates, rallied to overcome each obstacle and have emerged stronger together.
“Our team, and all the teams around the world went through a tough time with everything happening at the same time. Obviously it was really hard. We realized everyone was struggling with something, so we came together to battle that struggle together. Our team is a lot stronger than it used to be.
“I know that when we’re going to be back together, practices are going to be intense. I know every time I go back to the team, they are the best competition in the world and I’m really looking forward to being back with them.”
A member of the Senior Women’s National Team since 2015, Lalonde is eager for her return north of the border.
“I miss the intensity of practices. We’re so competitive and it’s so much fun. I get my best workout from when I train with them. They push me a lot. They have a lot of trust in me and I get to fill a lot of roles. I can’t wait to be back and train with the best in the world.”