️ USPORTS 2025 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNER

Starting in 2025 to celebrate the USPORT Rugby Community Service Award Winner - a student athlete playing rugby for a USPORT program who exemplifies leadership within their community, and making a contribution to grow rugby - the recipient will be provided with Gilbert rugby balls to donate to a program in their local community. 

This year's winner is Heavlyn Sekyere from the University of Waterloo who, along with Jiya Kukreja and Islay Graham, has initiated The Pencil Project in Grey & Bruce County to celebrate the achievements of newcomers to this region - an in particular first generation immigrants. 

Heavlyn Sekyere is joined by fellow co-founders of The Pencil Project, Jiya Kukreja and Islay Graham. The three Grey & Bruce County locals have donated 25 @gilbertrugbycanada balls to local high schools and clubs to help grow girls’ rugby programs across southwestern Ontario .

Heavlyn discovered her love for rugby at St. Mary’s High School, the same place The Pencil Project first came to life. This donation is just the beginning. With the support of @georgianbaytitansrugby, @waterloocountyrugby, and @owensoundrugby young girls in the community will have even more opportunities to develop their skills, pursue the sport they love, and continue building the incredible rugby talent thriving in this area.

To learn more about @thepencilproject, @owensoundrugby, and @georgianbaytitansrugby, @waterloocountyrugby please visit their instagram accounts!

“Thank you to @USPORTS and @gilbertrugbycanada for helping me create opportunities for young girls to discover a sport that has shaped so much of who I am. Rugby had taught me strength, confidence, and community! My hope is that every girl who picks up one of these balls feels that same spark. Here’s to hard hits, big hearts, and the incredible rugby family that continues to lift us all up. Go rugby go!” — Heavlyn

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As the original partner of the Canadian women's university rugby championships - originally known as CIAU and now USPORT - Gilbert Rugby Canada/Monilex Sports Ltd.  are incredibly proud to be alongside this national women's rugby program as it has grown over the years to be a 'best in class' university rugby competition recognized globally for supporting high performance women's rugby pathways in Canada.