‘A staple in our preseason’: UNB women’s rugby hosts annual Laura Stairs Memorial Game

The UNB women’s rugby team pushes the ball down the pitch. (Credit: Lauren Tidd/for UNB Athletics)

The University of New Brunswick (UNB) women’s rugby team dedicates time to give back to the community. They host a couple of games during the season to honour the memory of former players.  

One of those games is the annual Laura Stairs Memorial Game.  

Stairs was a former UNB Reds and Fredericton Loyalists rugby player. She passed away in 2016. Since then, the team has played the match in her honour. 

The game has been consistently held since 2019. 

This year’s event took place on Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Loyalists Field. UNB’s rugby team played the Loyalists, a senior women's rugby team in Fredericton.  

Before the game began, a flag rugby match was played between community members, paving the way for the game to begin.

Over $400 was raised for the Laura Stairs Scholarship Fund. The award is given to a rugby player who is studying nursing.  

Bailey Andrews, coach of the UNB women’s rugby team, has been in the position for the past three years. Before that, she was an assistant coach and played for the team.  

Although she did not know the late player, Andrews said the game helps “paint a picture” of the type of person she was.  

“This game means so much to the family and has become a large part of our history,” said Andrews. “Organizing this game each year ... I continue to hear stories of her generosity and fierce hugs. The game we play each year always brings out Laura’s friends and family and even players out of retirement to play in Laura’s memory.”  

To keep Stairs’ memory alive, UNB swapped the traditional red and black rugby jerseys for green jerseys. Green was Stairs’ favourite colour.  

Andrews said the Stairs family has played a huge role in the continued success of the game. They donated a plaque, which is presented to the winning team at the end of the game. In addition, Laura’s family does a good job of constantly checking in with the team.  

Andrews described working with Stairs’ family as “wonderful.”  

 “When we play the game, the emphasis isn’t on winning or losing but on how the game is played. The game is still rugby and the tackles are still hard. But we play with integrity, respect and sportsmanship, embracing the true spirit of rugby,” said Andrews.  

“Each year we share Laura’s story and we encourage athletes to read the article, ‘Laura’s Gift’ to get a full picture of who Laura was.”  

Andrews is reminded of how Stairs’ mom suggested that a player of the game should be named for both teams when the game concludes.  

“I think this game serves as a reminder [that] rugby is more than just a game, it is a community. There is no winner or loser in this game but it looks to embody the true spirit of rugby.” 

“This game has become a staple in our preseason,” she said.  

Emily Thornton, president of the UNB women’s rugby team, thinks the game demonstrates a “family-like” nature that can be displayed on the rugby field. 

“The Laura Stairs Memorial Game is an event that our team holds near and dear to our hearts. Year after year, our team sees all the retired and current Loyalist players who knew Laura play during this game,” she said. 

Since her first year with the Reds, Thornton has taken part in the memorial event on several occasions.  

“Laura’s friends and family alike have come out to share her story, alongside the multitude of retired Loyalist players. These players return annually to play in Laura’s honour,” said Thornton. 

Thornton hopes the game continues to shine a light on Stairs’ legacy. 

“The game is a way to unite both teams and it allows us to connect with Laura’s family and friends and celebrate her life,” she said. “This is a tradition that has become so important to both the Reds and the Loyalists, and I would love to see this memorial game continue to serve as a tribute to Laura and her family.”