CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Willow Beyea of the Calgary Dinos women's rugby team has been named the 2024 U SPORTS Student-Athlete Community Service Award. The announcement was made on Thursday evening at the All-Canadian awards ceremony in Charlottetown, host of the 2024 Cavendish Farms U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship. 

Other major award winners include Aurora Bowie of the Ottawa Gee-Gees, who was named the player of the year; Kennedi Stevenson of Queen's, who was named rookie of the year; and Duncan McNaughton of Ottawa, who won the Jim Atkinson Award as the Fox40 Coach of the Year.

Beyea's dedication to bettering her community has been recognized with the 2024 U SPORTS Student-Athlete Community Service Award. As a fourth year Arts major, Beyea has excelled academically with a 3.36 GPA while balancing her commitment to the school's student-athlete community. The New Westminster, B.C., product coaches high school athletes through the Junior Dinos program and leads the varsity women's rugby mentorship initiative, helping first-year athletes transition into varsity sports. Beyea also founded the Dinos R.A.P. (Recovering Athlete Peer support), offering psychological support to injured athletes. 

Beyea's impact extends beyond campus through her volunteer work with the Calgary Wheelchair Rugby Association and Adapted Physical Activity for Kids (APAK), where she provides support and mentorship. A second-year starter and co-captain for the Dinos rugby team, her leadership and dedication make her an exemplary student-athlete and community leader.

This marks the second time in program history a Dino has won the prestigious award, as Beyea joins Tarin Arndt, who earned the honour back in 2013.

Other nominees this year included Mia Fradsham (UPEI), Hannah Booler (Concordia), Raven Shulist (Waterloo).

-UC-