69传媒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 69传媒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 69传媒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 69传媒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,' 69传媒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!