Alison LeBlanc, a student-athlete already making waves in her home province of New Brunswick for her prowess on the rugby pitch and her impact in the community, is the recipient of this year’s David Bernatchez Memorial Bursary at StFX.
“I am so honoured to receive this bursary,” says Ms. LeBlanc, a St. Malachy’s Memorial High School graduate from Saint John, NB, who will study human kinetics at StFX and play for X-Women Rugby.
“It is such an honour. He (Mr. Bernatchez) had such a big passion for rugby. It’s so special to receive as I also have a big passion for rugby. And he was very caring.”
Ms. LeBlanc, who joins her two older sisters at StFX this fall (her mom, Jan Keating-LeBlanc is also a StFX graduate), says in a family with four children, the award is also a big financial help.
HONOURS LIFELONG LEGACY
The $20,000 bursary ($5,000 per year, renewable over four years) honours Mr. Bernatchez, a 1985 StFX graduate, and 2014 Hall of Honour inductee remembered for a lifelong legacy of helping others. Mr. Bernatchez made an outsized impact in life. He was a leader from an early age at St. Mary’s High School in Calgary, at StFX, on the rugby pitch, in supporting scholarships for students from Calgary to attend StFX, and in creating the Katherine Fleming Scholarship at the Coady International Institute to honour another friend and leader who also passed too soon.
The bursary in his honour is made possible by StFX alumni and friends of Mr. Bernatchez who have raised over $600,000 and are still actively fundraising. Recently, this group’s third annual golf tournament in Calgary raised $40,000—$20,000 towards this bursary and $20,000 for the Canucks, a Calgary rugby club.
David Bernatchez Memorial Bursary recipients must have demonstrated community service or leadership, show ability to contribute to StFX student life, demonstrate financial need, and either play or volunteer for the male or female rugby teams. The bursary is open to both male and female students. Matthew MacLeod and Katie Murphy were recipients of the inaugural award, offered to both a male and female rugby player in 2022-23. Jessie Penney received the bursary in 2023-2024.
IMPRESSIVE LEADER
Ms. LeBlanc has an impressive resume as a standout athlete and community volunteer.
Not only was she named senior athlete of the year at her high school, where she won MVP honours in rugby, soccer, and hockey (she also played volleyball, basketball, and field hockey) she won provincial recognition as a recipient of the NBIAA Raymond Legere Excellence Award presented to students who best exemplify leadership, sportsmanship and athletic excellence.
She’s given back to her community, starting a Christmas Miracle Campaign for less fortunate families; as a member of her grad class executive; and as a volunteer at a local rehab clinic.
“It makes me feel better about myself to help out,” she says. “I feel like it’s really important to help other people out.”
On the playing field, her high school basketball team went to the Final 12 in New Brunswick and won that big tournament. Last year, her high school rugby team, where she played wing and fullback, claimed the provincial title and won the Atlantic championships the year before.
Nationally, Ms. LeBlanc competed this summer in the 2024 Canadian Rugby U19 Championship, as a member of the Atlantic Canada team, and she was an invited participant to attend Rugby Canada’s Women’s Under 18-East Camp in Kingston, ON. She was also one of 40 players from Eastern Canada selected for this camp held in Ottawa the year before.
Ms. LeBlanc says she only started playing rugby in Grade 10, but immediately fell for the sport.
She says she is excited about attending StFX.
Her grandfather, Mike Keating, started a family tradition when he attended the university. Since then, Ms. LeBlanc’s mother, her aunt, and an uncle attended StFX. Her two sisters as well as cousins are current students.
“I’m looking forward to everything really,” she says.
She’s excited to become involved in the StFX community and continue her tradition of giving back and to play for X-Women Rugby. “The team has been so welcoming.”
