Helen Wright
Helen Wright was a pioneer in establishing women’s rugby as a provincial, national, and international sport – defying stereotypes at a time when the sport was dominated by men – primarily through leading by example as a player, coach, and administrator. Wright came to Edmonton to study Psychology at the University of Alberta. Wright participated in the first Rugby Canada women’s national team game against the USA in Victoria in November 1987. Helen Wright’s involvement with rugby extended far and wide, including being the first female to coach a Men’s First Division team. In recent years Helen has been inducted into the University of Alberta Hall of Fame, the Canada West Varsity Hall of Fame, and the Edmonton Rugby Union Hall of Fame. A trailblazer for women’s participation in rugby in Canada, her coaching philosophy has always been to enable players to learn who they are and discover what they can accomplish, thereby empowering themselves for life.
