For the first time, the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds have won the USport Women’s Rugby Championships. On Sunday, the Thunderbirds defeated the University of Victoria Vikes 8-3 in an all-British Columbia final from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. It was a significant day already for the Vikes as they won the national championship in women’s field hockey. In the gold medal game in Toronto, the Vikes defeated York University 1-0.
In the rugby final, one of Canada’s top female rugby players played a prominent role. Canadian Olympic multi-medalist Charity Williams of Toronto, Ontario picked up the game’s only try. Williams put the Thunderbirds up 8-0 in the 65th minute. Williams, who is 28 years of age, won the bronze medal for Canada in women’s rugby sevens at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, and then the silver medal at the 2014 Olympic Games in Paris.
Jordan McLeod of Rivers, Manitoba was named the top player of the gold medal game. McLeod was also one of four players on the Thunderbirds who represented the tournament all-star team. McLeod was joined by Savannah Bader of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Rachel Smith of Surrey, British Columbia, and Adia Pye of Victoria, British Columbia. Bauder had UBC’s other three points in the gold medal game as she successfully converted a penalty.
