Canadian Women’s Rugby Star Gabby Senft Honoured By Her Hometown Rugby Community
Article from Karl Fix
Local Canadian women’s rugby star Gabby Senft was honoured with the unveiling and hanging of her Canadian jersey at the Regina Rugby Clubhouse on Friday, October 30, in front of a packed house.
The celebration brought together generations of the local rugby community, from kindergarten-aged children in the Regina Minor Rugby program to 80-year-old rugby legend Leo “The Pirate” Lane—a wonderful reminder that our game creates lifelong friendships and connections.
Another local rugby great, Julie Foster, joined Gabby for a “passing of the torch” ceremony. Julie earned 44 Canadian caps between 1996 and 2006, competed in three Rugby World Cups and played on Canada’s first national women’s sevens team at the 1997 Hong Kong Sevens.
Gabby, a proud member of the Métis Nation with roots in Lemberg, Saskatchewan, began her rugby career at Regina’s Dr. Martin LeBoldus High School—also the alma mater of DTH van der Merwe, Canada’s all-time leading try scorer in men’s international rugby—before transferring to Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, Saskatchewan. She went on to play at the University of Victoria, followed by overseas club rugby with the Queensland Reds in Australia; Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs and Saracens in England; and Stade Bordelais in France.
Gabby, who has earned 49 international caps, made her Canadian debut against England in November 2018 at age 21. A versatile flanker and number eight, she has competed in two Rugby World Cups, helping Canada finish fourth in 2022 and earn a silver medal in 2025.
Regina Rugby Union president Dick Cornish also presented Gabby with a cheque for $4,000, raised by the local rugby community in support of Canada’s national women’s rugby team.
Adding a special touch to the celebration, Cindy “Go-Getter” Kobayashi even baked a cake in the shape of a rugby ball, complete with the Rugby Canada logo!
It was a wonderful evening celebrating Gabby, our national women’s team and the strong community spirit of Regina rugby!
Gabby Senft and Julie Foster
Gabby Senft honoured at the Regina Rugby Clubhouse on Friday, October 30
Wonderful recognition of an outstanding player.