Ayres POTY honours among many awards claimed by Loyalist Women’s Rugby 7s team | InQuinte.ca
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Ayres POTY honours among many awards claimed by Loyalist Women’s Rugby 7s team

By Brock Ormond Nov 5, 2026 | 12:12 PM

(Photo by SASHA SEFTER)

The Loyalist Lancers Women’s Rugby 7s team continues to show itself as one of the premier programs in Ontario.
Following one of the most successful seasons in program history, the Loyalist Lancers women’s rugby 7s team has been recognized with several major OCAA awards, highlighted by Faith Ayres of Belleville being named the 2026 OCAA Women’s Rugby Sevens Player of the Year and Jo Anne Robinson earning OCAA Coach of the Year honours.
The awards come on the heels of a remarkable regular season that saw the Lancers finish with a 12-2 record and establish themselves as one of the top programs in the province.
The honour caps off a historic season for Ayres, who rewrote the Loyalist record book while leading the Lancers on both sides of the ball. A dominant force defensively and offensively, the third-year forward led the team in tackles and was a key reason Loyalist finished the regular season as the OCAA’s Best Defensive Team, allowing just 8.3 points per game.
Ayres was equally impactful on attack, recording 15 tries and 23 converts for 121 points during the season. Her combination of physicality, determination, and leadership helped establish her as one of the premier players in the province.
Robinson was praised for her leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication to student-athlete development both on and off the field. Under her guidance, the Lancers have steadily climbed the OCAA ranks over the past five seasons, improving from a 2-16 record in 2022 to a 12-2 regular season record in 2026.
Her commitment to fostering a positive team culture and helping student-athletes succeed in athletics, academics, and life has been instrumental in the program’s continued growth.
In addition to Ayres’ Player of the Year recognition, two more Lancers earned spots among the province’s top players.
Mayan Mackinnon (Trenton, ON) and Evelyn Shakell (Belleville, ON) joined Ayres as OCAA League All-Stars, recognizing their outstanding contributions throughout the season.
The trio helped power one of the most balanced teams in the OCAA, contributing significantly to the Lancers’ success on both sides of the ball.
First-year standout Kassidy Buott (Peterborough, ON) was also recognized for her impressive debut season, earning a place on the OCAA All-Rookie Team.
Buott quickly established herself as an important part of the Lancers lineup and was one of eight student-athletes across the province selected to the rookie squad.
The women’s rugby 7s team is headed to the OCAA Championships hosted by Humber College on Saturday, November 7.