DeNeve brings home first player of the year nod for the Badgers program

Burlington, Ont. – There were several standouts on the pitch this past season, whether they were adding to their lofty career marks or just starting their varsity tenure. And one of the season’s brightest performers came via the Brock Badgers, as Paige DeNeve brings home the player of the year nod to headline the award winners and all-stars from the 2023 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) women’s rugby season.

Player of the Year – Paige DeNeve, Brock

In what was a successful campaign for the Brock Badgers as a whole, Paige DeNeve rose to heights not previously seen by the program en route to an OUA player of the year nod.

DeNeve, a third-year nursing major, is one of the most skilled and versatile players across the conference. Following up on her second team all-star nod from a year ago, the now player of the year and first team all-star finished second in the OUA in scoring (71 points), collecting four tries, 21 converts, and three penalty kicks for the St. Catharines squad.

Whether in the kicking, running, or passing game, DeNeve showed off her immense talent across the board, thereby allowing her Badgers squad to play through/around and over the defence. Defensively, the Zephyr, Ont. product also possesses an exceptional tackle completion rate, while also racking up plenty of highlight reel efforts along the way.

DeNeve becomes the first member of the Brock Badgers to take home player of the year honours.

Rookie of the Year – Samantha Hessels, Wilfrid Laurier

Even though she began her varsity tenure with a temporary absence due to injury, Wilfrid Laurier’s Samantha Hessels burst onto the scene in a big way en route to rookie of the year honours.

Hessels played in 100% of eligible minutes after making the jump from U18 junior rugby, leaving an indelible mark on the season. The Alma, Ont. native studying kinesiology/physical education led the team in several crucial categories, including line-breaks, tackles broken, and offloads. Her offensive prowess and ability to break through the opposition’s defences were a driving force behind the team’s success.

Equally impressive, meanwhile, is her defensive presence in the backfield. Setting her apart from her peers, Hessels took home five consecutive back player of the game awards, as voted by the opposing teams. This recognition from competitors speaks volumes about her impact game in and game out.

Hessels’ exceptional rookie season not only contributed to the Hawks’ success, but also quickly established her as one of the standout players in the province.

Coach of the Year – Chris Jones, McMaster

In just his second season as head coach of the McMaster Marauders, Chris Jones has been named the 2023 OUA coach of the year.

Prior to joining the Hamilton squad, Jones spent six years coaching in various capacities with the Fergus Highland Rugby Club, including leading the women’s U17 and U19 programs to a fourth-place finish at the provincial championships. A year earlier, he coached the U19 program to a silver medal on the same stage with seven of his athletes successfully signing on to OUA programs.

The former assistant coach with the Rugby Ontario senior women’s team has led the Marauders to an even 6-6 record during his brief tenure at the helm. Within that span, the former OUA student-athlete has also seen four Marauders claim all-star honours, including a first team nod for Taylor Wood among the team’s two all-star selections in 2023.

Jones becomes the fourth coach in McMaster’s program history to take home the honour and the first to do so in a decade.

Community Service Award – Lily Freiburger, Brock

An active member beyond the pitch within her team, her campus, and her community, Brock’s Lily Freiburger has earned the 2023 OUA community service award.

Lily Freiburger is the community outreach lead representative for the Brock women’s rugby team, responsible for organizing and initiating any community outreach by the program. Through her efforts, she has led projects that include blood drive initiatives, the Brock rugby golf tournament, the team’s fundraising committee, and more.

The second-year back five from Kincardine, Ont. is also involved in initiatives within the greaterBrock community. She has worked with the Brock Sports Performance program as a student intern, volunteering her time to help student-athletes in their off-field training. She is a representative of the Student Athletic Leadership Council and is a member of the Brock Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, working towards making Brock an inclusive space for all learners.

Within the greater community, finally, Freiburger has also been involved with and led clothing drives within the Niagara Region, volunteered in the Niagara Children’s Superhero Run, and is a member of the Stop Now and Plan (SNAP) program.

Champion of EDI Award – Hiyabel Samuel, Toronto

The first recipient of the OUA’s champion of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) award for women’s rugby is Toronto’s Hiyabel Samuel.

Samuel has been part of the executive team for the UofT chapter of Canadian Feed the Children (CFTC) for two years – a club that is partnered with the registered charity – currently serving as the co-president. The CFTC’s mission is to help raise awareness about child hunger and lack of education in Indigenous communities within Canada, as well as developing communities worldwide. Samuel has been actively involved in carrying out various events, ranging from bake sales to galas, to help raise funds and ultimately help prompt discussions on food security for children in Canada.

The political science major from Nairobi, Kenya has also been a member of the Black Students Association for three years, having actively participated in panel discussions and the promotion of safe spaces for Black students on campus. Samuel worked closely with various executive members, helping to create a warm and familiar environment where fellow attendees felt an increased sense of comfort in sharing their ideas and expressing themselves.

The complete list of 2023 OUA women’s rugby award winners and all-stars is as follows:

Player of the Year – Paige DeNeve, Brock
Rookie of the Year – Samantha Hessels, Wilfrid Laurier
Coach of the Year – Chris Jones, McMaster
Community Service Award – Lily Freiburger, Brock
Champion of EDI Award – Hiyabel Samuel, Toronto

First Team All-Stars

Fly Half – Paige DeNeve, Brock
Scrum Half – Natalie Armatage, Guelph
Prop – Mya Brubacher, Queen’s
Prop – Lauren Male, Western
Centre – Lara Jorgensen, Guelph
Centre – Julia Gregory, Brock
Back Three – Taylor Wood, McMaster
Back Three – Carmen Izyk, Queen’s
Back Three – Julie Grohal, Brock
Back Row – Lizzie Gibson, Queen’s
Back Row – Maia Swemmer, Brock
Back Row – Kennedy Feasby, Guelph
Hooker – Taylor McKnight, Guelph
Second Row – Grace Anderson, Queen’s
Second Row – Olivia Van Wart, Brock

Second Team All-Stars

Fly Half – Taylor Perry, Queen’s
Scrum Half – Abbie Wade, Brock
Prop – Brooke Rempel, Brock
Prop – Liane Catibog, Toronto
Centre – Rachel Cullum, Queen’s
Centre – Sophie McLean, Wilfrid Laurier
Back Three – Mika Hough, Western
Back Three – Samantha Hessels, Wilfrid Laurier
Back Three – Andrea Girard, Toronto
Back Row – Emily Clark, Guelph
Back Row – Taylor Bulgin, Wilfrid Laurier
Back Row – McKinna Colley, McMaster
Hooker – Hannah Tonet, Brock
Second Row – Lizzie Schori, Western
Second Row – Stephanie Svaikauskas, Guelph