The Brock Badgers women's rugby team have earned a program-best two major award winners and eight all-star selections for the 2023 season.
"It is very rewarding as a coach to have players recognized for their achievements and the way that they play," said head coach Mark Smerdon.
Leading the way for the Badgers is Paige DeNeve, who earns Player of the Year and first team all-star recognition. The third-year fly half led the Badgers with 71 points off four tries, 21 converts and three penalty kicks, placing her second in the OUA in scoring. DeNeve was an offensive threat throughout the year, with her kicking, running and passing game causing fits for the opposing team's defence. The nursing major is multi-dimensional, having a strong tackle completion rate this season on the defensive side of the ball.
"To have the Player of the Year from Brock is absolutely fantastic," said Smerdon. "We are so proud of Paige and her continued growth as a player. I can't wait to see what she'll be like next year."
Lily Freiburger wins the OUA Community Service Award for her many initiatives within the community, highlighted by her work within the Niagara Region for events such as the Niagara Children's Super Hero Run, Bell Let's Talk and the Stop Now and Plan program. Within Brock, the teacher education major also has a large impact, leading the women's rugby fundraising committee, helping organize the rugby golf tournament, being the women's rugby representative for the Student Athletic Leadership Council and managing the women's ruby team's social media presence.
"The OUA Community Service Award that Lily received is special as she does so much on our behalf that does not always get noticed," said Smerdon.
The Badgers earn five first team all-stars the most of any OUA school. Joining DeNeve are Julia Gregory, Julie Grohal, Maia Swemmer and Olivia Van Wart.
Gregory earns her second straight all-star nod, after being named a second team all-star in 2022. The third-year Nursing major is another triple threat for the Badgers as an evasive runner, great passer and intelligent kicker. The junior back three has one try on the year and has helped create many more for Brock this season with her passing.
The Badgers enjoyed a breakout first season from Grohal, who comes from Mulmur, Ont. The winger and fullback for Brock scored six tries, while adding 12 converts in just two games as the main kicker. Her total of 54 points puts her fourth in the conference and first among all rookies. Along with her attacking and kicking prowess, Grohal has been a phenomenal defender for the Badgers with her tackling and poaching ability.
Playing in four of the six games, Swemmer made an impact whenever she was on the field. The sophomore back row has notched eight tries for 40 points on the season. Her 40 points puts her eighth in the league, while her eight tries place her second in the conference. Swemmer is a devastating tackler and powerful ball carrier for the Badgers.
Rounding out the first team all-stars is Van Wart. The Innisfil product earned three tries on the season and is a lead by example type player. Van Wart is the leader of the pack and is described by head coach Mark Smerdon as having the best rugby IQ on the team.
Three Badgers were also named second team all-stars in Brooke Rempel, Hannah Tonet and Abigail Wade.
Rempel is a first-year prop who like Grohal, made an immediate impact for the Badgers. The Ariss, Ont, native was another physical tackler and ball carrier for Smerdon and the Badgers. Rempel is an unselfish player, who assisted on numerous tries with offloads and two on ones and also found the end zone three times on the season.
Tonet earns her first all-star nod after a strong year at the hooker position. The third-year Kinesiology major does a lot of work to create opportunities for points for her teammates and is a great scrimmager who has a high work rate around the field.
Lastly, Wade rounds out the second team all-stars for the Badgers. The third-year scrum half and captain scored two tries and had numerous assists in the 2023 season. Wade is a multi-tool player, being able to pass off both hands, box kick when needed and provide strong and effective tackling.
The complete list of 2023 OUA women's rugby award winners and all-stars is as follows:
Player of the Year – Paige DeNeve, Brock
Rookie of the Year – Samantha Hessels, Wilfrid Laurier
Coach of the Year – Chris Jones, McMaster
Community Service Award – Lily Freiburger, Brock
Champion of EDI Award – Hiyabel Samuel, Toronto
First Team All-Stars
Fly Half – Paige DeNeve, Brock
Scrum Half – Natalie Armatage, Guelph
Prop – Mya Brubacher, Queen's
Prop – Lauren Male, Western
Centre – Lara Jorgensen, Guelph
Centre – Julia Gregory, Brock
Back Three – Taylor Wood, McMaster
Back Three – Carmen Izyk, Queen's
Back Three – Julie Grohal, Brock
Back Row – Lizzie Gibson, Queen's
Back Row – Maia Swemmer, Brock
Back Row – Kennedy Feasby, Guelph
Hooker – Taylor McKnight, Guelph
Second Row – Grace Anderson, Queen's
Second Row – Olivia Van Wart, Brock
Second Team All-Stars
Fly Half – Taylor Perry, Queen's
Scrum Half – Abigail Wade, Brock
Prop – Brooke Rempel, Brock
Prop – Liane Catibog, Toronto
Centre – Rachel Cullum, Queen's
Centre – Sophie McLean, Wilfrid Laurier
Back Three – Mika Hough, Western
Back Three – Samantha Hessels, Wilfrid Laurier
Back Three – Andrea Girard, Toronto
Back Row – Emily Clark, Guelph
Back Row – Taylor Bulgin, Wilfrid Laurier
Back Row – McKinna Colley, McMaster
Hooker – Hannah Tonet, Brock
Second Row – Lizzie Schori, Western
Second Row – Stephanie Svaikauskas, Guelph
