Queen's Women's Basketball Head Coach Claire Meadows has been named the OUA Women's Basketball Coach of the Year for the 2025-26 season, the conference announced on Thursday.

Meadows guided the Gaels to a 21-1 record in the regular season, tops in the OUA and a six-win improvement over last year's record (15-7). Queen's also advanced to the OUA semifinals in the playoffs.

"There is truly no one more deserving of this coach of the year award. Claire has been the most consistent, compassionate, and dedicated leader for this program," said Queen's Women's Basketball's Amy Hagman, who was named the OUA Joy Bellinger Award recipient for the 2025-26 season on Thursday. "Her impact on all of us extends beyond the court. She is not only a great coach, but a better person, constantly reminding us that finding joy in the process and staying true to our values no matter the outcome is something we will take with us beyond our short time at Queen's. We are so proud of this accomplishment, and have no doubt it will be the second of many!" 

Under Meadows, Queen's led the OUA in scoring, averaging a conference-high 80.1 points per game, and defence, averaging a conference-best 54.0 points against per game.

Queen's also led the OUA - and U SPORTS - in three-point field goal percentage this season, finishing the year shooting 35.5 per cent from three-point range.