Kennedi Steveson had quite an eventful year when it comes to rugby.
Stevenson, ArtSci ’28, was nominated for the World Rugby Women’s SVNS Rookie of the Year award in early June. SVNS is an annual series of rugby, but played as seven on seven between national teams run by World Rugby. Every year, SVNS hands out the Rookie of the Year award to both the best male and female rookie rugby players out of all the 15 countries that compete in SVNS. Being nominated for the award means the player stood out on the international rugby stage in their first year playing for their national team.
While she ultimately did not win the award, the nomination alone is proof of Stevenson’s talent and importance to the national team. Anaick Konyi, from France’s Women’s National 7’s team, ended up taking home the award.
Stevenson is part of Canada’s National Senior 7’s roster, joining former Queen’s Women’s Rugby player Carmen Izyk, Nurs ’24, who joined in 2024. She competed this past year with the team at a tournament in Dubai, where the team finished sixth overall.
The nominee also helped lead the Gaels’ Women’s Rugby team to an OUA championship this past October, where they beat the Guelph Gryphons by a score of 61-21. The Gaels also beat the Gryphons in the U-SPORTS Women’s Rugby Championships a week later to claim the bronze medal.
READ MORE: Women’s rugby takes home bronze at U Sports Championship in Vancouver
For her play on the Gaels, Stevenson was named to the OUA All-Star First Team, her second straight season being named an OUA All-Star. Six other Gaels were also named to the OUA All-Star First Team. Additionally, she was named to the U-SPORTS All-Canadian Second Team this past season.
While she may not have won the SVNS Rookie of the Year award this past season, Stevenson won both the OUA and U-SPORTS Rookie of the Year award in her first season on the Gaels in 2024. She helped the Gaels to the OUA Final and another bronze medal at the U-SPORTS Championships.
Next season promises to be as eventful for Stevenson as this past one. Not only will she have to play a full season on Canada’s 7’s roster, but she will look to lead the Gaels to an eighth straight OUA Finals appearance, as well as perhaps win the U-SPORTS Championship.
Catch her in a Gaels uniform when the Queen’s Women’s Rugby team’s season kicks off in September.
Tags
HSBC Dubai SVNS, Kennedi Stevenson, National Senior 7's, Women's rugby
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