Several current and former Concordia Stingers women’s rugby players are enjoying incredible success at the international level this summer.
Latoya Blackwood, who finished out her university career as a member of the Stingers in 2011, was part of the Canadian team that won a silver medal at the World Cup in Paris on Sunday.
Canada lost 21-9 to England in the championship game. It was a historic achievement for Canadian women’s rugby. It was Canada's first appearance in the World Cup final. Its previous best finish was fourth.
Current Stinger Alex Tessier was part of the Canadian team that won the gold medal at the 2014 International University Sports Federation Women's Rugby Sevens Championship in Sao Jose de Campos, Brazil on Aug. 10.
Canada beat Belgium 17-10 in the quarterfinals, defeated Great Britain 38-0 in the semifinals then beat France 26-17 in the championship game.
Tessier, a centre from Ste. Clothilde de Horton, Que., stepped up and established herself as a top player in the RSEQ university conference in 2013. She was the Quebec conference Rookie of the Year and Concordia’s Female Rookie of the Year.
Joining Tessier was scrum half Bianca Farella, who suited up for the Stingers in 2012 before moving to Victoria to train full time with Canada’s national team.
