Family Fun: Ravens Siblings on Competing Together
By Elizabeth Kane
Game time is family time for a surprising number of Carleton University’s varsity athletes this year.
Across the rosters, from hockey to soccer to rugby and more, there are nine sets of siblings competing on the same team. The Ravens football team alone has three pairs of brothers in the lineup.
Already taking on the unique identity of a student-athlete, these Ravens also have sibling dynamics at play — sharing the highs and challenges of university sport with teammates they’ve known their whole lives.
Family Time On and Off the Court
Ravens women’s basketball forwards Gabbie and Nathalie Francis played many sports throughout childhood, finding their passion for basketball.
North Vancouver resident, Political Science student and elder sister Gabbie moved across the country after meeting her future teammates during recruitment visits and having the chance to study in Ottawa, the nation’s capital.
Being located so far away from home, the ability to have her older sister close was a draw for Biology student Nathalie.
“It was an element of stability that made the move less scary,” she says.
“My sister and I are best friends, so I wanted to live in the same city as her again.”
Their time with the Ravens was the first opportunity they had to share the court as teammates.
“It’s really great being able to do something we love together, because we’re on very different paths academically,” says Gabbie.
Having a sibling to share the joys and stresses of balancing sports and studies is important to Nathalie.
“It’s very hard to describe to other people what it’s like to be a student-athlete — your teammates are the only ones that really get it,” explains Nathalie.
“My teammate is also my big sister, she knows me as a person and she knows exactly what I’m going through.”
Playing on the same team at an elite level requires the sisters to adjust their sibling dynamic to accommodate their athletic roles. When Nathalie started as a rookie, Gabbie was an established veteran player.
“When we’re talking, I’ll get clarity if I need my ‘big sister hat’ or ‘vet hat’ because sometimes you just want to talk about basketball with your sister and not be told where there are areas for improvement,” explains Gabbie.
This season will be the last the sisters play together. While it is sure to be filled with exhilarating moments, the sisters agree some of their favourite memories as Ravens will be the time they’ve spent with each other.
“We can hang out after practice or go grab some food in between classes,” says Gabbie. “Having these experiences with your sibling as an adult is really nice.”
Celebrating Success on the Green
Ravens Golf teammates Dylan and Ty Rouse were introduced to the game by their father at a young age.
“It quickly became something I loved,” says Dylan.
“Ty and I didn’t directly compete against each other growing up because we were in different age categories. However, we were always pushing each other when we would practice and play together.”
“We would often have chipping competitions against each other in our front lawn, as well as normal 18-hole matches on the course,” adds Ty.
Sprott School of Business Commerce student Ty welcomed his brother’s advice on how to be successful in both athletics and academia when he joined Dylan on the team.
“Balancing both is tricky, especially during the fall when we are in the Greater Toronto Area almost every weekend,” says Ty.
“I am lucky to have my brother show me the ropes and model how to best prioritize tasks.”
Now in his second year of the Master of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering program, Dylan reflects on his time with the golf team.
“It’s been really special to share this experience with my brother and best friend,” he says. “We keep each other accountable, push each other and pick each other up when things get tough.”
Always supportive family members, the brothers have the unique opportunity to celebrate each other’s victories on the course as teammates, including when Dylan secured the bronze medal at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Golf Championships.
“I was really happy for my brother at OUAs this year, it is a very impressive feat to podium when it matters most,” says Ty.
Another highlight was competing at the 2025 Canadian University/College Championship in Kamloops, B.C. Ty advanced to the last day of the tournament, cheered on by his fellow Ravens.
“Competing together on a national stage was incredible. The Canadian University/College Championship is the highest level of university golf in Canada, and it has a different intensity level to it,” says Dylan.
“Sharing that experience with Ty while representing the Ravens made it even more special.”
Related Stories
5 min read
Transforming the Justice System in Indigenous Communities
Three times a year, a temporary courtroom is set up in the community centre in Kawawachikamach, a Naskapi Nation community more than 500 kilometres north…
6 min read
Carleton’s New Residence: A Place to Call Home
Thousands of students call Carleton University's picturesque campus home during their studies. As a smart, caring and inclusive community, Carleton has been unwavering in its commitment…
5 min read
Carleton University Ravens Reclaim Pedro in Panda Game Victory
In front of a sold-out crowd of more than 23,000 fans at Ottawa’s TD Place stadium, the Carleton University Ravens football team reclaimed Pedro the…