Stephanie Bernier and Marie-Pier Pinault-Reid have both announced their retirement after extensive senior careers for Canada.

“When I got my first senior cap, a dream I had had for many years finally came true,” Pinault-Reid said. “It meant the world to me. Then after some games, I really felt like I was part of something bigger than my own dreams.”

Both natives of Quebec City, QC., Bernier made 15 test appearances for Canada while Pinault-Reid appeared 21 times. Pinault-Reid also played for Canada’s U19 team from 2006-07.

“Representing your country is something so unique, so special, it is definitely an honor and a privilege to be able to wear the Canada jersey,” Bernier said. “You feel part of something so much bigger than you. It is a new family that you will always be part of. I don't hear nor see the national anthem the same way I use to. When I look at other Canadian athletes competing at an international level and the anthem plays, I can feel all the emotions I felt every time it was played for me.”

In careers that spanned more than a decade — both Bernier and Pinault-Reid played for Club de Rugby de Québec from 2005-15 with Bernier also playing for University Laval Rouge & Or (2004-08) and Rugby Quebec (2012-13) while Pinault-Ried suited up for RC Lons (2012-13) and AS Bayonne (2013-14, where they won the 2014 title) —both players share the same career highlight: Canada’s 2014 Rugby World Cup semi-final win over France.

“The game we played was magical,” Pinault-Reid said. “Our team was magical. I felt like all the time we gave to rugby during all those years was to live this night when we won against the home team.”

Despite injuring her knee in the game, Bernier holds the game dearest to her heart along with the 2013 Nations Cup tour in Colorado, a tournament Canada would win, something she attests to allowing Canada to believe they could do something historical a year later in France.

“It is where I felt that we had assembled not only as a group and believed in ourselves, but that we also felt the amazing support from home and the real magnitude of what we were going to do,” Bernier said of Canada’s 18-16 win.

Their rugby memories don’t just remain on the field. Off it, Bernier and Pinault-Reid both point to the lifelong friends they have made throughout their distinguished careers and the coaches who have helped them reach the pinnacle of women’s rugby including current senior women’s head coach Francois Ratier. Rugby also led both players to meeting their partners.

“Rugby is so much more than just a game, it a way of life, a way of thinking and it definitely sculpts your personality and character for the better,” Bernier said. “I gained so much confidence playing rugby. I can never be thankful enough for everything that the game of rugby has brought to my life.”

Confidence is a theme Pinault-Reid also firmly believes rugby has given her, not just through playing on the field, but in her personal life too.

“I started playing when I was 14 years old and it definitely helped me to accept my tall and strong body,” Pinault-Reid said. “I learned through rugby that strong was beautiful. It helped me build my character and achieve my other goals in life. A great rugby team needs a big mix of different body types and different personalities and I think we can learn a lot about life from being part of it.”

Rugby isn’t over for Bernier as the 27-year-old is coaching at Laval University and is also the head coach of their junior academy.

“I’m trying to pass on as much of my love for the game to the next generation of women players,” Bernier said.

Additionally, Bernier gave birth to a daughter, Julia, last year, and is employed by a provincial organization that is responsible for the promotion of Wellness and Healthy Living lifestyle on both a personal level and on a municipal/provincial level.

Pinault-Reid returned to med school after the Women’s Rugby World Cup and in July will start her residency in internal medicine.

“Even though the door has closed for me as an international rugby player, and my time has passed with Rugby Canada, I am very motivated and excited about what the future holds for me,” Bernier said.