VICTORIA – Following a perfect season and a second consecutive Canada West championship, the University of Victoria swept two of the conference's top women's rugby awards, with Maddy Grant named Player of the Year and Brittany Waters repeating as Coach of the Year.

Grant headlines seven Vikes named conference all-stars following another dominant campaign for the reigning champions.

"Maddy brings a wealth of experience and has brought an edge to our attack and defence this season. Her kicking is world class and allows our team to play most of the game in the opponent's half," said head coach Brittany Waters. "What makes her so dangerous though is that she is a triple threat with her passing and ball carry skills just as impressive as her kicking skills, so it is very hard for teams to defend us. Her level of play has allowed all our team to shine and reach a new standard of performance."

Grant's game has been shaped by experience on the international stage. A graduate of Victoria's Belmont Secondary School, she began her university career at the University of Ottawa, earning RSEQ Rookie of the Year honours in 2019. She went on to represent Canada at the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and has been part of the senior women's 15s national team since 2019, as well as Canada's sevens program since 2022.

Her university résumé includes selection to the 2019 U SPORTS National Championship All-Star Team, U SPORTS second-team All-Canadian honours in 2021 and multiple RSEQ all-star selections. In 2024, she earned All-Canadian honours and helped the Vikes women's rugby team win a U SPORTS silver medal. 

Grant is known for her versatility, athleticism and strategic intelligence with an elite understanding of game dynamics that has allowed her to play multiple positions throughout her career. Her Player of the Year recognition headlines a strong showing for a Vikes team whose success extends well beyond one standout.

Waters wins coach of the year

In her 12th season leading the women's rugby program, Waters has been named Canada West Women's Rugby Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season and the third time in her career. (2015, 2025, 2026)

Under Waters' leadership, the Vikes have medalled at every Canada West Championship, capturing gold three times, silver seven times and bronze once. This season, she guided the team to a second consecutive undefeated conference record, a first in program history.
 
Seven Vikes earn all-star nods

Captain Maggie Mackinnon earned all-star honours, a testament to the perseverance and dedication she has shown throughout her career having overcome multiple major injuries. She finished the regular season tied for 15th in the country with 41 points.

Olivia Newsome, a member of Canada's NextGen program, and Shondreya Smardon, who recently represented Canada at the FISU World University Championship in rugby sevens, also earned recognition. Emily Findlay added another Canada West all-star selection to her decorated résumé, while former Guelph Gryphon Kendra Cousineau and fourth-year Vikes student-athlete Piper Walsh were named to the conference all-star for the first time.

With back-to-back Canada West titles behind them, the Vikes now turn their attention to the U SPORTS national championship set for Nov. 4-8 at the University of Guelph's Alumni Stadium in Guelph, Ont. After three consecutive national silver medals, the Vikes are hungry to take the final step and claim gold.

2026 CANADA WEST MAJOR  AWARDS :
MVP – Maddy Grant
Coach of the Year - Brittany Waters

2026 CANADA WEST ALL-STARS BY POSITION:
Maddy Grant, back
Maggie Mackinnon,  centre/fly half
Emily Findlay, flanker
Olivia Newsome, winger
Kendra Cousineau, hooker
Piper Walsh, second row
ShonDreya Smardon, winger