One of the most exciting and emotional events on the Stingers 2014-15 calendar will take place this Wednesday evening when the Concordia rugby teams honor Kelly-Anne Drummond.
The women’s team will host the McGill Martlets at 7 p.m. in a rematch of last year’s Quebec conference final. McGill eked out a 41-34 victory in the championship game.
The winner of the Stingers (No. 7 in the CIS) and the Martlets (No. 5) game will be awarded the Kelly-Anne Drummond Cup, symbolic of women's university rugby supremacy in Montreal and a tribute to Drummond, a former Stinger who died tragically on Oct. 4, 2004.
Drummond left behind many relatives, friends and teammates from her playing days at Concordia and with the Montreal Barbarians Rugby Club. At the game, they are joined by exceptional numbers of local rugby players who rally for the event.
Everyone gathers to celebrate Kelly-Anne’s spirit and love of rugby. She was a member of the Concordia women's rugby team from 1999 through 2001. A front row player, she was respected by her teammates for her commitment to the game and her work ethic. She also charmed her many friends with her inquisitiveness and fun-loving approach to life. She graduated from Concordia University with a major in Communications in 2002.
After the game Doreen Haddad, Kelly-Anne’s mother, will present the trophy that bears her daughter's name to the captains of the winning team.The Stingers defeated the Martlets 17-15 last September to win the Cup. It was the fifth consecutive win for Concordia. McGill won the first four contests.
The Stingers men’s team has always been supportive at the game, cheering on the teams, collecting money, running raffles.
This year the players will take to the field immediately after the women’s game for one of their biggest games this season. Concordia will battle McGill at 9 p.m. Once again it’s a rematch of last season’s Quebec university championship won 16-6 by the Redmen.
There is no charge to attend the games. However, Haddad and Concordia are asking spectators and participants to make a donation at the gate to help support WomenAWARE programs. The Montreal organization helps women who are victims of domestic abuse. To learn more please visit the website at www.womenaware.ca.
