P.E.I. rugby players won't let health challenges slow them down at this year's Canada Games

Rugby is known as a tough and scrappy sport, but that hasn't deterred two young Prince Edward Islanders who've faced health challenges from diving into the scrum.

Mya Roberts from Charlottetown and Owen Connolly from Crapaud are both representing the Island as members of rugby sevens squads getting underway this week at the Canada Games in St. John's, N.L.  

Playing on the women's team, Roberts said she has loved rugby ever since she got a taste of it heading into Grade 10. 

"I just love everything about it," she told Heather Barrett of CBC's Weekend AM in St. John's. "Running, tackling – like, you just get it all." 

That kind of constant cardio and contact means she has to take extra steps to manage her Type 1 diabetes, diagnosed eight years ago, when she was 10. For one thing, she can't use her insulin pump during competition, so she has to keep on top of her insulin levels the old-school way.

"It's a pretty heavy job.… You don't get a break from it," she said. "I have to constantly monitor my blood sugar, and watch for highs and lows." 

That involves pricking her finger for blood tests before and after every game, counting carbs to make sure she is properly fuelled up to play, and having lots of small snacks with her in case of a sudden change. 

"It'll often run a bit higher, my blood sugar, because of all the adrenaline and stuff during games."

Roberts said her teammates don't treat her any differently because of her diabetes, and that's just the way she likes it. 

"I know if I did ever need help with anything that they'd be there to help me for sure."

Her advice to other young people with diabetes who might be leery of getting involved in contact sports: "Don't think that you can't do it.… You can and it won't stop