Taylor McKnight and Briar Barron were named the top Women and Men Provincial Players of the Year for Rugby Ontario in 2025. McKnight a graduate of Stouffville DHS and current captain of University of Guelph was a standout in the Ontario/Quebec series this past spring earning her player of the tournament honours. Her efforts earned her a selection for the Canada Senior Women tour to South Africa where she earned her first national cap. Taylor received another cap over the August long weekend in Ottawa in a victory of the USA before the squad headed to England for the Rugby World Cup. McKnight fellow Barbarians McKinley Hunt, Claire Gallagher and Tyson Beukeboom on the squad helping Canada to a silver medal performance. After the tournament Taylor returned back to the Guelph Gryphons to help them capture OUA Silver and forth at the Usports Finals at UBC this past October.
Briar Barron a graduate of Sacred Heart and current Queens Gaels had a remarkable year captaining Ontario to both Gold at Under 19 15-a-side championship this July in Calgary along with fellow Barb Noah Hudson. With one week rest, Barron was on a plane to Newfoundland to guide Ontario Under 20 7-a-side to a Canada Summer Games Gold in a tight match against rivals B.C. Barron was co-captain was fellow Barbarian Adam Doane who just earned his first selection to the National 7s Team. Barron spent the month of May at the Canada U20 Camp in Victoria before heading to India to play in the newly formed 7s Super League playing for the Mumbi Dreamers. This past fall- Barron was a staple of the Queens Gaels before injury sideline him just before playoffs. The Gaels ended up finishing OUA Runner-ups and fifth at the Canadian National University 7s Championship in Montreal.
Congratulations to both Taylor and Briar on being named the Ontario Senior Provincial Players of the Year.
