For the first time since 2002 and only the second time in school history, the Concordia Stingers have placed two players on the CIS all-Canadian team for women’s rugby.
Outside centre Frédérique Rajotte of Markham, Ont. and inside centre Alex Tessier of Ste. Clothilde de Horton, Que. were named to the first team announced at the CIS women’s rugby all-Canadian banquet in Kingston, Ont. tonight.
Women’s rugby became a CIS sport and starting announcing all-Canadian teams in 1998. Concordia has placed accomplished athletes on the honour roll in 14 of those 17 years, but 2002 with Krista McKay and Sommer Christie was the only time the Stingers earned two of the 15 spots.
Rajotte, a third-year athlete, is the RSEQ MVP. She was a dominant force game in and game out. She led the Stingers in scoring with 12 tries in seven games.
“She’s fast and she’s shifty,” said head coach Graeme McGravie. “She has great all-round skills for her position. She’s physically stronger than last year. She’s a smart player. The way she sees the game, her vision, she’s head and shoulders above other players.”
It is her first all-Canadian honour.
Tessier, also third-year player, scored seven tries and connected for eight converts in seven games in the RSEQ regular season. She was named a conference all-star for her efforts.
McGravie describes her as combative and electric.
“She can carry a game by herself,” he said. “And I don’t think there are many people in the Quebec league or in the country that can do that. Defensively she is a rock. Alex is a leader. People look to her to be the game-breaker for us.”
In 2014, she was also a CIS all-Canadian, the RSEQ MVP and an all-star. In 2013, she was the Quebec conference rookie of the year.
Tessier and Rajotte represent Canada in international competition. They are among the 24 players named to Canada’s Maple Leaf tour to England later this month.
