Hall of Fame & Awards

Raised in Toronto, Ontario, Ghislaine developed her foundational skills and love for rugby at age 14 in high school and through the Scottish’s junior girls and senior women’s programs where she developed her craft through the camaraderie of a leading club ripe with international players. Despite once being labelled “too small” for international rugby, as a standout representative of the Ontario provincial teams at U17 and U19, she quickly established herself as a dynamic playmaker known for her vision, leadership, and relentless work ethic. Her time at St. Francis Xavier University (St. FX) was truly transformative, and possibly the most impactful performance by a female rugby player in university sport. During her four year career at St. FX, Ghislaine smashed records and achieved many firsts in the sport. She became the first player to be honoured as both the AUS Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the same season. She is a four-time AUS MVP and two-time CIS (now U Sports) Player of the Year, a four-time St.FX Athlete of the Year and even scored a try in every regular season game she played in her final year. Her performances at the club, provincial and university levels propelled her into the national spotlight and onto the world stage.

Over the course of her distinguished international career, Ghislaine represented Canada in both 15s and 7s, earning acclaim as one of the most accomplished 7s players in the history of the sport. She began at Canada U19 7s before selection to the senior squads. With the Canada Women’s 7s team from 2011-2021, she became one of the most prolific scorers in World Rugby Sevens Series history, becoming the overall points leader for many seasons. A natural leader on and off the pitch, captaining the team to numerous podium finishes, including a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, where women’s rugby 7s made its Olympic debut. Prior to Olympic fame, Ghislaine had the rare opportunity to compete internationally in her home city at the 2015 Pan Am Games, when she and her teammates won gold.

In her six 15s caps for Canada, Ghislaine proudly donned the maple leaf at the highest levels of international competition, demonstrating the same skill, creativity, and composure that defined her 7s career. The accolades are many and her reputation is world-class. Her impact extended beyond the scoreboard – she helped raise the profile of women’s rugby in Ontario and Canada, inspiring a new generation of players to pursue the game with belief and purpose. Since her retirement from international play, Ghislaine has continued to give back to the sport, serving as a mentor, advocate, and role model for young athletes across Ontario and Canada.