Concordia Stingers mentor Graeme McGravie was named Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Women’s Rugby Coach of the Year at a gala banquet in Peterborough, Ont. last night.
McGravie accepted his award before his team and his peers who have gathered at Trent University for the national championship in women’s rugby.
It is the second time he has received the national recognition since taking over as Concordia head coach in 2005. He previously received the distinction in his third campaign at the helm in 2007.
Under his direction, the Stingers enjoyed yet another successful season in the Quebec conference, finishing first in the standings with an unblemished 6-0 win-loss record. They added two wins in the playoffs, including a 13-8 victory over the Laval Rouge et Or in the gold-medal final.
It was the Stingers’ second straight league title, and their third in four years. Concordia was 3-0 overall against archrival Laval this fall and recorded a fourth Top-10 win in the pre-season against (then) No. 7 Western of the OUA.
McGravie, who previously coached the school's men's squad for three seasons from 2002 to 2004, has enjoyed tremendous success with the Concordia women, guiding his troops to six consecutive playoff appearances, three CIS championship berths and an overall mark of 46-21-1.
His Stingers, who were ranked No. 4 in all eight national coaches' polls this fall, hope to become the first team from Quebec to capture the Monilex Trophy as CIS championship this week.
