VICTORIA - On the eve of the U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship semi-finals, the University of Victoria women's rugby team picked up two major awards at the All-Canadian banquet held at Vancouver's Sheraton Wall Centre on Oct.30th. Carissa Norsten claimed Player of the Year, head coach Brittany Waters took Coach of the Year, and six Vikes earned U SPORTS All-Canadian honours — Norsten, Sierra Gillis, and Maggie Mackinnon on the first team, and Faith Tilley, Justine Blatt-Janmaat, and Ella O'Regan on the second.

A 2024-25 U SPORTS All-Canadian and Olympic silver medalist, Norsten becomes the first UVic women's rugby player to receive the prestigious Player of the Year Award—a serious accolade considering the pedigree of Vikes who have gone on to represent Canada in the sport. This is the second major award for Norsten, who was named U SPORTS Rookie of the Year in 2023.

Norsten, who was also recognized as a First-Team All-Canadian, remains a cornerstone of the women's rugby team. She finished the Canada West season with 40 points, pacing the team with eight tries--including two in the Canada West semi-final game and one in the gold medal game. She remains one of the country's most dependable all-around athletes, consistently making crucial tackles and disrupting the opposition as the last line of defence. With her speed, footwork, strength, and work rate, Norsten is one of the country's most dynamic and dangerous players—capable of changing a game every time she steps on the field.

For Waters, the Coach of the Year honour marks her first-ever U SPORTS major coaching award since taking over as program lead in 2015. It also marks the first-ever U SPORTS women's rugby Coach of the Year nod for UVic. As an athlete, Waters earned All-Canadian honours in 2005 as a member of the Vikes women's rugby program. Under her leadership, the Vikes have medalled at every Canada West Championship and improved on the national stage each year, finishing second in 2023 and 2024.

Mackinnon earned her second First Team All-Canadian nod after missing 2024 with a torn ACL, while Gillis, Tilley, Blatt-Janmaat, and O'Regan each picked up their first.

Action continues on Friday as the championship semifinals are set for 4:00 and 6:30 p.m. at UBC's Thunderbird Stadium, with the Vikes taking on Guelph University at 4:00 p.m.. Tickets for the event are currently on sale at usportstickets.ca and the entire championship can be viewed on CBC Sports digital platforms in English, and RadioCanada.ca/Sports and usports.ca in French.