London, ON - Kennedy Johnstone didn't expect rugby to become her defining sport. She found it in the fall of 2020, just before the world shut down, and it quickly became the place where she could channel the same competitive drive that once fueled her in hockey and soccer. Now she's writing one of the most impressive chapters of her athletic career as the top point scorer in the OUA & U SPORTS for the 2026 season.
 
Her offensive surge isn't the result of a single breakthrough. It's the product of years spent refining her game, building confidence, and embracing the grind. "Over the course of the last five years, I've put in a lot of time just to build and refine my game, and it has been advantageous to my success thus far," Kennedy said. "My teammates are a big factor in this offensive push, because they do all the nitty-gritty work and I just build off of them."
 
Johnstone has amassed 95 points and 13 tries. In the OUA she was 9 points clear of the second place finisher and 3 points ahead of the national ranking. 

"Kennedy lead Western in most notable stats across 6 regular season games which included 86 tackles, 96% tackle completion rate, 76 carries with an 83% dominant carry rate, 503 run meters, 100 ruck arrivals 57 of which were first arrivals, and 8 turnovers won." said Mustangs Women's Rugby Head Coach Josh Campbell. "Kennedy is a walking highlight reel and is a leader on and off the field in both action and in word for Western. 

For those reasons and many more, she was named the 2026 OUA Player of the Year and a First Team All-Star.



"I'm genuinely so grateful to be the recipient of the player of the year award. I can't thank my coaches and teammates enough." said Johnstone. "Although this is an individual award, none of this would have been possible without the ongoing support from my teammates on and off the field. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a small part in getting Western women's rugby the recognition we so deserve."
 
For Kennedy, every try and every point reflects the people around her—the teammates who trust her, the coaches who challenge her, and the community that has become her home.
 
A Competitor at Heart
 
Growing up, Kennedy thrived in competitive environments. That mindset naturally carried over to rugby, where the pace, physicality, and teamwork matched her personality. "My motivation for playing varsity rugby comes from a life filled with competitive sport," she said. "The feeling that you get from playing a sport at a high level is something that can't be replicated anywhere else in life."
 
She credits much of her growth to the Western Women's Rugby program and the culture it has built. "It's the people, it's the environment, it's the coaches that put in all this time, and we're all working towards a collective goal that continues to keep me motivated to play," she said.
 
Now in her final year, Kennedy is savouring every moment — the early morning practices, the bus rides, the close games — knowing that her time in the purple and white is helping shape whatever comes next.
 
Learning from Those Who Came Before
 
One of the most influential figures in Kennedy's journey is Mac Fane, a former Western player who now coaches at Kennedy's home club, the Aurora Barbarians. "She is a 7 and an 8 and played at Western. And I just have so much respect for the way she plays the game and her tenacity, and she's definitely been someone that I've looked up to."
 
Having a mentor who understands both the position and the program has given Kennedy a blueprint for how to approach the game — with grit, humility, and purpose.
 
Building a Program, Together
 
The Mustangs' rise in recent years is something Kennedy takes pride in. She's watched the program grow stronger, deeper, and more competitive. "The growth over the last five years on the Western Women's Rugby team is remarkable and has been a huge honour to be a part of," she said. "As age-grade rugby starts to grow and the sport gains more traction at a high school level, it brings in more athletes to our tryouts and our summer practices. They bring up the level of competition."
 
She's quick to point out that the coaching staff is a driving force behind that progress. "They put in a tremendous amount of time recruiting, putting together practices, and just showing up for us. That makes us feel motivated and want to be there."
 
For Kennedy, it's the combination of internal competition and genuine camaraderie that makes the program special. "Your spot's not guaranteed, and while we're all one big family and one team, we are fighting for a spot week in, week out, and simultaneously, we're making each other better."
 
More Than the Scoreboard
 
Despite her individual accolades, Kennedy's focus remains on the people who have shaped her experience. "At the end of the day, I play rugby for the people," she said. "Everything about my journey at Western has been linear, and I owe a lot to my team for keeping me on track. They give me a reason to keep going every day."


 
Finding balance as a student-athlete hasn't been a burden — it's been a foundation. "I'm a big believer in the fact that life is all about balance," she said. "Having something that you have to commit to and that holds you accountable is actually super beneficial to the overall structure of your day-to-day."
 
Kennedy's story is one of steady growth, shared success, and deep gratitude. "I wouldn't be where I am right now without the support of my teammates and without my coaches," she said. "Because at the end of the day, there's 15 of us on that field and there's 52 people on the team that are the main reason why I am showing up on leaderboards."
 
As she closes out her final season, Kennedy isn't focused on records or headlines. She's focused on showing up — for her team, her coaches, and the sport that has given her a home.

The Mustangs host the OUA bronze medal game this Friday night as they take on the Brock Badgers. A berth in the 2026 U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship is on the line. The game is set for 7:00 PM on Alumni Field.