Stingers honour Kelly-Anne Drummond

The Concordia Stingers, defending Quebec university women’s rugby champions, will host the McGill Martlets in the sixth annual Kelly-Anne Drummond Cup on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. at Concordia stadium.

The exhibition game is symbolic of women's university rugby supremacy in Montreal and pays tribute to Kelly-Anne Drummond, a former Stinger who died tragically on Oct. 4, 2004. Her boyfriend was found guilty of killing her in April 2006.

For the first time the event includes a halftime sevens game between the Concordia Stingers women’s alumni and the Montreal Barbarians, a West Island-based club that Drummond also played for.

The Stingers and the Montreal rugby community will celebrate Drummond’s spirit and love of rugby. She was a member of the Concordia women's rugby team from 1999 through 2001. A front row player, she was respected by her teammates for her commitment to the game and her work ethic. She also charmed her many friends with her inquisitiveness and fun-loving approach to life. She graduated from Concordia University with a major in Communications in 2002.

After the game Doreen Haddad, Kelly-Anne’s mother, will present the trophy that bears her daughter's name to the captains of the winning team.

There is no charge to attend the game. However, Haddad and Concordia are asking spectators and participants to make a donation at the gate to help support Women Aware programs.

Women Aware is a Montreal organization whose mission is to assist and empower women who have experienced conjugal violence through self-help and advocacy in order to improve their quality of life and affect social change.

(Please note that Women Aware’s programs do not rely on donations of clothes and toys. However, donations of money are greatly appreciated).

The Stingers defeated the Martlets 24-7 last September to with their first Drummond Cup. McGill won the first four contests.