UPEI Rugby players recognized by CIS at national awards banquet

Kingston, Ontario (November 4, 2015)– Four University of Prince Edward Island Rugby players were recognized on the national sport stage tonight at the CIS All-Canadian Banquet held in Kingston, Ontario in conjunction with the 2015 CIS Rugby Championship.

Prop Holly Jones and fullback Alysha Corrigan were named to the second All-Canadian team, while flanker Anneke Dykerman was a finalist for Rookie of the Year. Number eight Lauren Chamberlain received the prestigious Student-Athlete Community Service Award.

Chamberlain follows in the footsteps of teammate Shanda Mosher-Gallant, who merited the CIS student-athlete community service award a year ago.

A first-year doctor of veterinary medicine student from Fall River, Nova Scotia, Chamberlain is the UPEI coordinator for the national, student-led Get REAL program, which she single-handedly brought to the University. Get REAL involves university students across Canada who speak to high school students about unlearning LGBTQ discrimination and bullying, and creating an inclusive environment.

In addition to her work with Get REAL, the 5-foot-9 Chamberlain is on the committee that initiated "Bringing Back the Bystander" training at UPEI. The program raises awareness about sexual assault and encourages those who know of or witness incidents to speak out.

Chamberlain is also the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) Class of 2019 sports and athletic representative, the representative for Let's Talk Science at AVC, and a surgical assistant for the Cat Action Team—a coalition to aid feral cats in PEI.

Kim Patenaude of Sherbrooke, Rina Charalampis of McMaster, and Shannon Fitzpatrick of Victoria were also nominated.

"Lauren has always been a high achiever," said Panthers head coach Shannon Atkins. "She attacks all that she does, and 2015 was no different. She volunteers for many great causes, and lives life to the fullest."

"Lauren's passion and commitment to bringing Get Real to UPEI is admirable," said UPEI Director of Athletics and Recreation Chris Huggan. "I am really proud of all she has done and thrilled that she received this recognition for all of her efforts.

Huggan added, "Being recognized among the elite players in the CIS is an outstanding accomplishment. I am very pleased for Holly, Alysha, and Anneke as well as commend their teammates and coaching staff for a great season."

Other winners announced during the banquet were Cindy Nelles, a fourth-year eight man from McMaster University who was named the CIS player of the year; Victoria eight man Gabrielle Senft, who was named rookie of the year; and Guelph head coach Colette McAuley, who earned the Jim Atkinson Award for the second time in her career.

The 2015 CIS championship kicks off Thursday at Queen's University's Nixon Field and concludes on Sunday with the gold-medal final at 3 pm. All 11 games from the eight-team tournament will be webcast live on CIS-SIC.tv.

Championship website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/wrugby/index

Full CIS release: http://en.cis-sic.ca/sports/wrugby/2015-16/releases/awards