GUELPH, Ont. – Three Guelph Gryphons women's rugby student-athletes were recognized on Thursday night (Nov. 5) in Guelph as U SPORTS announced their major award winners and All-Canadians for the 2026 women's rugby season. Halle Woodcook and
Madison Donnelly were named U SPORTS First Team All-Canadians and
Adelaide Holmes was named a Second Team All-Canadian. The Gryphons defeated Ottawa on Wednesday night in the quarterfinals, and will now prepare to take on the two-time reigning national champions UBC Thunderbirds in the national semifinal on Friday night at 6:30pm from U of G's Alumni Stadium. Tickets for Friday night's U SPORTS semifinal can be purchased online at usportstickets.ca and Guelph's semifinal match can also be streamed for free, live online on CBC's digital platforms (
CBC Gem,
CBC Sports.ca,
CBC Sports Youtube). See below for more information on the three Gryphons women's rugby players who earned All-Canadian status in 2026.
Gryphons Women's Rugby – 2026 U SPORTS First Team All-Canadians
Halle Woodcock (Scrum Half)
Madison Donnelly (Centre)
Gryphons Women's Rugby – 2026 U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadians
Adelaide Holmes (Winger)
Halle Woodcock – U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian
Fifth-year human kinetics major
Halle Woodcock for the first time has been named an U SPORTS All-Canadian on the first team. The scrum half from Trenton, ON has been a key contributor for the Gryphons as the link between the forwards and backs. Woodcock is a precise passer for the Gryphs, helping lead the team to an OUA best 500 points scored. Woodcock is a two-time OUA All-Star and was named First Team All-Star for the first time this season.
Madison Donnelly – U SPORTS First Team All-Star
For the second time and the first time as a Gryphon,
Madison Donnelly has earned U SPORTS All-Canadian status on the first team. Donnelly, currently studying her master's in animal biosciences at the University of Guelph as she made an immediate impact in Guelph as a grad transfer. Donnelly was one of the top scorers in the OUA, scoring 10 tries during the 2026 season which was good for fourth best. Donnelly was previously an All-Canadian in 2024 as part of the second team during her time at Queen's. Madison is a two-time OUA First Team All-Star and was the 2022 OUA's Rookie of the Year.
Adelaide Holmes – U SPORTS Second Team All-Star
Adelaide Holmes for the second time has earned U SPORTS All-Canadian status on the second team. The fourth-year winger from Waterloo has proven to be one of the most dynamic wingers in the country, leading the Gryphons with 12 tries scored on the season. The criminal justice and public policy major is always a threat to score when she has the ball in her hands. Addy in 2024 was named U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian and OUA MVP when she scored an OUA best 15 tries for the Gryphs.
2026 U SPORTS Major Award Winners – Women's Rugby
Outstanding Player of the Year: Camille Arvin-Bérod, Laval Rouge et Or
Rookie of the Year: Teniola Epemolu, UBC Thunderbirds
Student-Athlete Community Service Award: Jaityn LaBelle, Calgary Dinos
Coach of the Year: Matt Durant, Acadia Axewomen
2026 U SPORTS First Team All-Canadians – Women's Rugby
#8: Emily Findlay, UVic Vikes
Centre: Madison Donnelly, Guelph Gryphons
Centre: Maddy Grant, UVic Vikes
Prop: Brinten Comeau, Ottawa Gee-Gees
Prop: Keira Alferez, Queen's Gaels
Lock: Marley Magnusson, Ottawa Gee-Gees
Lock: Anya Prokopich, UBC Thunderbirds
Scrum Half: Halle Woodcock, Guelph Gryphons
Fly Half: Lana Dueck, UBC Thunderbirds
Flanker: Kennedy Johnstone, Western Mustangs
Flanker: Camille Arvin-Bérod, Laval Rouge et Or
Winger: Kennedi Stevenson, Queen's Gaels
Hooker: Maude Chabot, Laval Rouge et Or
Fullback: Rowan Gallagher, UPEI Panthers
Fullback: Olivia Newsome, UVic Vikes
2026 U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadians – Women's Rugby
#8: Jiggy Schonfeld, Queen's Gaels
Centre: Amélie Tremblay, Laval Rouge et Or
Centre: Maggie MacKinnon, UVic Vikes
Prop: Jessie Penney, StFX X-Women
Prop: Stella Henry, Alberta Pandas
Lock: Jenna Gallant, Acadia Axewomen
Lock: Piper Walsh, UVic Vikes
Scrum Half: Ava Johnston, Ottawa Gee-Gees
Fly Half: Rachel Cullum, Queen's Gaels
Flanker: Sam Reid, Acadia Axewomen
Flanker: Erica Osei, Ottawa Gee-Gees
Winger: Adelaide Holmes, Guelph Gryphons
Winger: Fiona Day, Acadia Axewomen
Winger: Zina Umeh, Lethbridge Pronghorns
Hooker: Kendra Cousineau, UVic Vikes
