HIGH ACHIEVERS: Gee-Gees’ Aurora Bowie, head coach Duncan McNaughton win major U Sports women’s rugby awards

By Martin Cleary

This shouldn’t be the way a university sports career ends, especially following six bruising years of commitment and dedication, becoming an individual athletic award winner for the first time in her final season and seeing her fifth national championship tournament on the horizon.

But sport is like that. You never know what you’re going to get, especially in the pounding and gruelling game of rugby.

When the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees’ players run onto the Canada Games Alumni Field on Friday for the scheduled U Sports women’s rugby semifinals in Charlottetown, Aurora Bowie will have to remember to stop at the team bench and stay off the field.

The temptation will be great to join her teammates for the critical 15s match against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. But the RSEQ conference Player of the Year and first-team all-star has assumed a new and unexpected, late-season role as a sideline cheerleader, after suffering a season-ending injury more than two weeks ago.

At the national championship banquet Thursday night, the University of Ottawa captured two of the four major individual awards as Bowie was named the U Sports women’s rugby Player of the Year on her first RSEQ nomination and second-year head coach Duncan McNaughton was selected Coach of the Year.

The Gee-Gees also had three first-team All-Canadians: Alysia Comtois, Ketsia Kamba and Bowie. Former Carleton player Maya Addai of the University of Victoria Vikes also was named to the first team.

Carleton University Ravens’ Sierra Hasse was the RSEQ nominee for the U Sports Rookie of the Year award, which was won by Queen’s University’s Kennedi Stevenson of Glen Williams, ON.

Bowie, who helped the Gee-Gees win the U Sports silver medal as a national finalist in 2021 and bronze medals in 2022 and 2019, was placed on the Gee-Gees’ season-over list on Oct. 12, after breaking a bone in her right hand during the second half of a one-sided RSEQ semifinal win over the Carleton University Ravens.

When she noticed the pain in her hand, she continued to play for another 10 minutes before coming off the field, realizing it required medical attention. She went to hospital in Ottawa and the left-handed Bowie had her right hand placed in a splint for six weeks.

Not only did Bowie miss the final moment of the RSEQ semifinal, but also the leading scorer in the conference was sidelined for the championship game and the U Sports quarterfinal upset win over the University of Guelph on Wednesday.

Read More: HIGH ACHIEVERS: Focused on a lighthouse, Gee-Gees win U Sports women’s rugby quarterfinal

“It was difficult for me because I wanted to be with my players,” Bowie said about her new participation role during a phone interview earlier this week. “It was sad and disappointing that I couldn’t play and support my team (on the field).

“But I’m supporting my team whatever way I can by being on the sidelines. I was screaming my head off (in the final against Laval). But I’m not sure they could hear me. At halftime, I was part of the discussion.”

The Gee-Gees women’s rugby team flew to Charlottetown on Sunday for nationals and the university’s Sports Services department paid for Bowie and teammate Tylo Borsboom (torn anterior cruciate ligament injury) to join them on Thursday.

Bowie has come to terms with her new role and is willing to make a contribution as a match observer and supporter.

“I hope my experience can help the girls, if they have any questions,” she added. “If I notice anything in the game, I’ll give advice, especially if it’s someone in a position that I played.”

Bowie is familiar with the fullback position and switched to fly half this season. She also was the team’s primary kicker this season with a conference-best 88 points off 36 converts (a school record), two penalties and two tries. Her point total ranks second in team history for a single season. She also is third in program history with a career regular-season 154 points.

“I hope I can share my experiences,” she continued. “I’ll be there for emotional support, too. It’s tough on the body, but also tough emotionally.”

Bowie, who is from Stouffville, ON., was a high-level soccer player before falling out of love with the game. She started playing rugby in Grade 10 at Bill Crothers Secondary School in nearby Markham. She quickly embraced the sport. She has played on Ontario teams and was named to a Canadian touring squad to Spain in the summer.

“It’s a different sport, where you can express yourself really well,” she explained. “There are so many elements to the game that make it fun and enjoyable. It was fun to play and made me fall in love with rugby.”

Throughout her half-dozen rugby seasons at the University of Ottawa, which includes one extra year because the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the 2020 season, Bowie has found success on and off the field.

In the fall of 2023, she earned her B.A. degree in psychology with a minor in biology. She is currently focused on her masters degree in counselling psychology. Bowie also is a top student, having been honoured four times as a U Sports Academic All-Canadian (80 per cent average or higher).

When the RSEQ announced its award winners for this season, Bowie was selected the conference Player of the Year and a member of the first all-star team. Tanya Gaffney is the only other Gee-Gees player to win that honour in 2005.

“It was very cool,” Bowie said about winning the major award. “Prior to this year, I’ve never been a RSEQ all-star or the MVP. Being an all-star and MVP is great recognition for the effort I’ve put in over the past six years.”

When Bowie sees her university rugby career close on Sunday after the two medal matches, she can be pleased not only with her athletic achievements, but also with her academic accomplishments.

“I am proud of myself for being able to succeed in both aspects of my life at university,” she explained. “It’s challenging. But being part of rugby brings motivation to my academics.”

Bowie gives herself a top grade for selecting the University of Ottawa for her post-secondary education.

“It has been the best six years of my life, when I reflect on when I came in. I’m a totally different person,” she said.

“There were challenges every day and sometimes they were hard, but I was able to push through and be resolute. My athletic development was amazing in the program.”