Chinook’s Fisher commits to Saint Mary’s

By Lethbridge Herald on March 18, 2026.

Nathan Reiter

Lethbridge Herald

Autumn Fisher is looking forward to the next chapter in her rugby career.

Fisher, who is currently a Grade 12 student at Chinook High School in Lethbridge, has committed to play for the Saint Mary’s University (SMU) Huskies women’s program next season.

The Huskies are a U SPORTS school located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. SMU competes in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference.

In an interview with the Herald, Fisher says she chose SMU because it gave her a chance to move away from home.

“I wanted to go away from home to learn independence and be able to be self-sufficient and just have that skill. I’ve also lived in Alberta my whole life and I thought it’d be nice to have a change of scenery and go somewhere near the ocean. I think it’ll be a really good experience, and I’m really looking forward to that. I think it’s good to do it right when I’m 17/18 just because I don’t have to wait a few years and then struggle to do it later. I can start doing it now and get the hang of it.”

Prior to her time at Chinook, Fisher had never played the sport of rugby. She was encouraged to try out for the team by a friend who she played basketball with during her Grade 10 year.

“Ever since then I’ve loved it so much and I haven’t stopped playing.” Fisher explained. “I just genuinely love it so much. I’ve played several other sports and something about rugby just makes me feel like I’m at home and having fun every single day, every single practice, even if we’re doing a bunch of running and conditioning, I just still have so much fun.”

Alaya French is the head coach of the Chinook girls rugby program and has witnessed Fisher’s development up close. She says she was a little hesitant at first but has blossomed into a fantastic player.

“As a grade 10, she came in super excited, but also super nervous. Wasn’t quite sure, but it took very little time before she was in there with the seniors going fast, going hard, and she’s picked it up really well and just hasn’t stopped trucking.”

Fisher will join a program with SMU that is looking to trend back in the right direction. The Huskies finished last in the AUS standings with an 0-6 record last season while scoring only 46 points and allowing 393.

French says Fisher has plenty of tools that will translate into being a successful rugby player at the U SPORTS level.

“First off, she is so fast, not even just long distance fast, she is quick on her feet, sharp movements. She’s smart, she’s absolutely relentless and fearless, she’s brutal in the tackle, and she’s absolutely one of the hardest workers I have.”

With Fisher committing to play at the post-secondary level, French is hoping that it can inspire other student-athletes to strive to play at the next level.

“I feel like a lot of people think that high school is the end all, be all. There’s so many bigger, better things out there. There’s so much growth that happens after high school that it’s like the next step. There’s your entire life ahead of you. Nobody peaks in high school. You should be always striving to do better and gaining knowledge and experience throughout your entire life. I feel like when you see other people making and attaining goals, it’s inspirational.”