UPEI rugby player Shanda Mosher-Gallant receives CIS award
After receiving the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Student-Athlete Community Service Award last week, fourth-year science student and UPEI rugby player Shanda Mosher-Gallant attended the All-Canadian Rugby Gala in Guelph, Ontario this week where she was further recognized with the CIS national award. She is the first player from UPEI to be honoured with the Student-Athlete Community Service Award since its inception in 2009. Mosher-Gallant is in her third year of eligibility with the UPEI Women's Rugby Panthers and plays on the wing.
This past summer in western Prince Edward Island, Mosher-Gallant spearheaded the creation of a Rookie Rugby program, Rugby Canada's non-contact introduction to the game that is implemented in schools and communities across Canada for youth of all ages.
Mosher-Gallant, small but mighty, standing at five-feet tall, is originally from Wellington, PEI. She decided to take matters into her own hands as she single-handedly approached the City of Summerside to secure funding for Rookie Rugby. She also approached other local businesses to get them on board to financially support the program. Mosher-Gallant managed the bulk of advertising and marketing tasks, and contributed $500 of her own money to purchase necessary equipment for U10 and U12 rugby participants. Thanks to Mosher-Gallant, PEI was able to host its first-ever mini rugby game in late August.
Mosher-Gallant has her level one coaching certification and attended Rugby Canada's Rookie Rugby training session in Halifax in October.
'PEI has a small population of 145,000 and promoting and retaining rugby players here is very challenging,' UPEI Women's Rugby Head Coach Shannon Atkins said in a news release. 'Shanda saw the need in her community to engage young athletes in this dynamic sport and jumped at the chance to offer children the opportunity to play a sport that has been so good to her. She is an innovator and giver. I feel that she is one of those great people that you get to have in your life.'
Congratulations, Shanda!
