Algonquin Regional High School is home to multiple cooperative (co-op) teams, where Algonquin athletes combine with surrounding schools’ athletes to make cohesive sports teams, specifically girls’ hockey, girls’ golf, and boys and girls’ rugby.
These cooperative teams face both challenges and successes, along with many unique opportunities that a co-op team includes. The co-op teams at Algonquin provide various opportunities for students to participate in their sport of interest — whether it is offered at their school or not.
Algonquin girls’ hockey is combined with Hudson, Nashoba, Marlborough, Clinton and AMSA, meeting at New England Sports Centers for practices, as it forms a central point for all athletes. Co-captain and Algonquin senior Betsy Bertonazzi acknowledges the obstacles of being a co-op team on the ice.
“At the beginning of the season, it’s hard to get chemistry and know everyone,” Bertonazzi said. “Especially as a freshman, you might only know one or two girls on the team, so it’s completely new people.”
While the beginning can be difficult, Bertonazzi speaks to what the journey has given her as a whole.
“I honestly love [the co-op experience] because it’s so many people I would never see on a daily basis,” Bertonazzi said. “…Now I have friends from other towns who I would have never known.”
Co-captain and Hudson senior Lauren O’Malley believes the team has worked hard to create chemistry.
“It’s essential that we have pasta dinners and get together as much as we can to enhance our team chemistry and our comfort level with each other,” O’Malley said via text.
Co-op teams go beyond the winter season, however. Algonquin boys’ rugby combines with Westborough athletes, and senior captain Grady Martinek feels this has enhanced the team in many ways.
“Having [Westborough athletes] here is pretty fun,” Martinek said. “You get to meet new people and have a lot more depth with athletics and how they play, and most of our starters are Westborough kids, so it works out pretty well.”
Similarly, Algonquin girls’ rugby has recently become a co-op team with student-athletes from Westborough and Shrewsbury, and senior captain Gaby Lomuto believes this change has allowed for success and opportunity.
“We’re so lucky to have an MIAA [Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletics Association] rugby team, because there’s only six in the state, and I think the more schools that we can bring in the better, because everyone deserves to have an opportunity to play if they want the chance,” Lomuto said. “It’s scary to come out and just pick up something new right away…but the girls were really welcoming to everyone, and I think that it’s only going to improve from here.”
Lomuto has been playing rugby since her freshman year, playing on the team during the 2024 spring season when they advanced to the state semi-finals. Lomuto believes this success is due to the hardworking, dedicated nature of the team.
“It all just comes together and everyone’s trying their best,” Lomuto said. “Nobody’s slacking off because they want to be there.”
In terms of dedication, Shrewsbury senior Carly Gingras has used this experience to earn life-long skills and friendships.
“I’ve learned a lot about time management and commitment and I think that has really helped with my leadership skills,” Gingras said via text. “Making sure I am mentally and physically ready for practice on time can definitely be challenging, but I’ve learned to plan and prepare for practices which definitely puts me in a better mood, and helps me put other people in better moods.”
Whether on the ice or on the field, these co-op teams have learned how to work together and create chemistry that has allowed for the same success and development in their respective sports as any other sports team. The co-op experience has given many athletes in the surrounding area the opportunity to participate in the sport they love and to form many friendships across towns.
“It might seem weird to other schools or other teams in the school,” Bertonazzi said. “It is a really fun experience, and we’re not less of an Algonquin team.”
Updated Feb. 13, 2025: This article originally stated that the 2024 spring season was the first time the girls’ rugby team made it to the state semi-finals. The team has actually made it to the state semi-finals before.
