2024 U SPORTS Rugby Championship a huge success
The 2024 U SPORTS Women’s Rugby Championship, hosted by UPEI Athletics and Recreation from October 30 to November 3, was an exceptional national tournament experience and a huge success.
The eight participating teams, listed in seeding order, were as follows:
- #1. Laval Rouge et Or, RSEQ champions (5-1 regular season, 2-0 playoffs)
- #2. UBC Thunderbirds, Canada West champions (4-1, 2-0)
- #3. Guelph Gryphons, OUA champions (5-1, 2-0)
- #4. Acadia Axewomen, AUS champions (5-1, 2-0)
- #5. Queen’s Gaels, OUA finalists (6-0, 1-1)
- #6. Ottawa Gee-Gees, RSEQ finalists (6-0, 1-1)
- #7. UPEI Panthers, hosts (2-4, 0-1)
- #8. Victoria Vikes, CW finalists (4-1, 1-1)
The UBC Thunderbirds defeated the Victoria Vikes in a West Coast showdown (a rematch of the Canada West final) by a narrow score of 8-3 to claim the U SPORTS Women’s Rugby Championship, while the Queen’s Gaels captured bronze on a last second try in a 29-22 win over the Ottawa Gee-Gees.
The Guelph Gryphons finished fifth after defeating the Laval Rouge et Or 23-17 in the consolation final, while the Acadia Axewomen and host UPEI Panthers were the two Atlantic University Sport (AUS) representatives in the tournament.
During Thursday night’s awards gala, Ottawa’s Aurora Bowie was named the Player of the Year, while their head coach, Duncan McNaughton, earned Coach of the Year honours. Queen’s Kennedi Stevenson was named Rookie of the Year, while Calgary’s Willow Beyea captured the Student-Athlete Community Service Award.
A big thank you to all volunteers, sponsors, the PEI community, UPEI campus community, and UPEI Facilities Management for all their support and effort to put this successful tournament together.
