Following one of the most successful seasons in program history, the Loyalist Lancers women’s rugby 7s team has been recognized with several major OCAA awards, highlighted by Faith Ayres (Belleville, ON) being named the 2026 OCAA Women’s Rugby Sevens Player of the Year and Jo Anne Robinson earning OCAA Coach of the Year honours.
The awards come on the heels of a remarkable regular season that saw the Lancers finish with a 12-2 record and establish themselves as one of the top programs in the province.
The honour caps off a historic season for Ayres, who rewrote the Loyalist record book while leading the Lancers on both sides of the ball. A dominant force defensively and offensively, the third-year forward led the team in tackles and was a key reason Loyalist finished the regular season as the OCAA’s Best Defensive Team, allowing just 8.3 points per game.
Ayres was equally impactful on attack, recording 15 tries and 23 converts for 121 points during the season. Her combination of physicality, determination, and leadership helped establish her as one of the premier players in the province.
Already the Loyalist women’s rugby 7s program’s all-time leading scorer, Ayres adds OCAA Player of the Year to an impressive list of accomplishments and was also named an OCAA League All-Star.
The success of the program was further recognized with Jo Anne Robinson receiving the OCAA Coach of the Year Award.
Robinson was praised for her leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication to student-athlete development both on and off the field. Under her guidance, the Lancers have steadily climbed the OCAA ranks over the past five seasons, improving from a 2-16 record in 2022 to a 12-2 regular season record in 2026.
Her commitment to fostering a positive team culture and helping student-athletes succeed in athletics, academics, and life has been instrumental in the program’s continued growth.
In addition to Ayres’ Player of the Year recognition, two more Lancers earned spots among the province’s top players.
Mayan Mackinnon (Trenton, ON) and Evelyn Shakell (Belleville, ON) joined Ayres as OCAA League All-Stars, recognizing their outstanding contributions throughout the season.
The trio helped power one of the most balanced teams in the OCAA, contributing significantly to the Lancers’ success on both sides of the ball.
First-year standout Kassidy Buott (Peterborough, ON) was also recognized for her impressive debut season, earning a place on the OCAA All-Rookie Team.
Buott quickly established herself as an important part of the Lancers lineup and was one of eight student-athletes across the province selected to the rookie squad.
The individual awards were complemented by team recognition, as the Lancers were named the OCAA’s Best Defensive Team following a season in which they allowed just 8.3 points per match.
The honour reflects the collective effort and commitment of a group that consistently shut down opponents throughout the regular season.
With a Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, three All-Stars, an All-Rookie selection, and recognition as the OCAA’s top defensive team, the 2026 season has further cemented the Loyalist women’s rugby 7s program as one of the premier programs in the conference. The accolades are a reflection of both individual excellence and a team-first culture that continues to elevate the Lancers on the provincial stage.
The women’s rugby 7s team is headed to the OCAA Championships hosted by Humber College on Saturday, November 7th.
