TRAINING SQUAD NAMED AS CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM PREPARES FOR PACIFIC NATIONS CUP

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TRAINING SQUAD NAMED AS CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM PREPARES FOR PACIFIC NATIONS CUP

Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team will train at Shawnigan Lake School this August in preparation for the Pacific Nations Cup, with 35 players named to the training squad. 

 

Training camp will conclude with a Canada XV squad taking on the Vancouver Highlanders on August 17 at 3:45pm PT at Capilano Rugby Club. Canada’s final Pacific Nations Cup team will be announced following the match against the Highlanders. 

 

Canada will kick off the Pacific Nations Cup on Sunday August 25 at 2:00pm PT / 5:00pm ET at BC Place in Vancouver. Tickets are currently on sale at rugby.ca/en/tickets. The team will then travel to Los Angeles to take on the United States on Saturday August 31 at 6:00pm PT / 9:00pm ET.  

All six Pacific Nations Cup sides (Canada, United States, Japan, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji) will convene in Japan in September for the play-offs, with the semi-finals and fifth place play-off taking place on September 14 and 15 in Tokyo, and the final and third place play-off taking place on September 21 in Osaka.  

 

Included in the training squad are 16 players who competed in the 2024 MLR play-offs, and five players from the recent championship winning New England Free Jacks: Andrew Quattrin, Cole Keith, Ethan Fryer, Josh Larsen and Ben LeSage. Four uncapped players will also be looking to make the Pacific Nations Cup squad: Kaden Duguid, Sam Miller, Jesse Kilgour, and Rhys James. The Pacific Pride are well represented as well, with 13 players named to the training group who have spent time with Rugby Canada’s development academy. 

 

An additional five players (listed below) have been invited to train with the team at Shawnigan Lake as a development opportunity.  

 

“We want to build momentum following our win against Romania last month,” said Head Coach Kingsley Jones. “We are playing two teams this month who we have a lot of respect for, two good teams. It will be two challenging games, but we want to continue the winning feeling. We have an opportunity to continue developing throughout the course of the Pacific Nations Cup and build continuity and cohesion as we work towards Rugby World Cup qualification next year.”  

 

“There are a number of players that are unavailable for the Pacific Nations Cup due to injury, but building our depth has been a key focus over the last few seasons, and this will be an opportunity for other players to put their hands up and get valuable playing time.” 

 

Tickets for the Pacific Nations Cup in Vancouver are available for purchase at rugby.ca/en/tickets. Questions regarding ticket purchases can be directed to tickets@rugby.ca. For more information on suites, please contact suites@rugby.ca. Broadcast information will be announced shortly. 

 

More information about the Pacific Nations Cup can be found here.  

 

Media accreditation applications are currently being accepted here. Questions regarding media accreditation can be directed to media@rugby.ca  

 

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM SCHEDULE 

 

Canada XV vs Vancouver Highlanders 
Saturday August 17, 2024 
3:45pm PT / 6:45pm ET 
Capilano Rugby Club  
Buy tickets here 

 

Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team vs Japan (Pacific Nations Cup) 
Sunday August 25, 2024 
2:00pm PT / 5:00pm ET 
BC Place, Vancouver 
Buy tickets here 

 

Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team vs United States (Pacific Nations Cup) 
Saturday August 31, 2024 
6:00pm PT / 9:00pm ET 
Dignity Health Sports Park, Los Angeles 
Buy tickets here 

 

Remaining Pacific Nations Cup matches to be determined based on the results of Canada’s matches against Japan and the United States. 

 

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM PACIFIC NATIONS CUP TRAINING CAMP SQUAD 

 

FORWARDS  

Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / New England Free Jacks 
Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) – Earl Marriott Secondary / Bayside RFC / University of British Columbia / Old Glory DC  

Callum Botchar (Vancouver, BC) – NOLA Gold 
Cole Keith (Apohaqui, NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / New England Free Jacks 
Conor Young (Yamba, AUS) – Southern Districts Rugby Club / RFC LA  
Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Dallas Jackals 
Ethan Fryer (Seattle, USA) – New England Free Jacks 
Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / University of British Columbia / Cottesloee Rugby Club 
James Stockwood (Bowmanville, ON) – Vikings RFC / Pacific Pride  
Jesse Mackail (Palmerston North, NZL) – UBCOB Ravens / Pacific Pride 
Josh Larsen (Parksville, BC) – New England Free Jacks 
Kaden Duguid (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association / Vancouver Highlanders 
Liam Murray (Langley, BC) – Dallas Jackals  
Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Chicago Hounds  
Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons RFC / Chicago Hounds  
Matthew Klimchuk (Regina, SK) – Regina Rogues / Pacific Pride / Vancouver Highlanders  
Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride 
Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Pacific Pride  
Siôn Parry (Cardiff, Wales) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC 

 

BACKS 

Andrew Coe (Markham, ON) – RFC LA  
Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks  
Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Dallas Jackals  
Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars 
Gradyn Bowd (Red Deer, AB) – Castaway Wanderers / Old Glory DC  
Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Chicago Hounds  
Jesse Kilgour (Barrie, ON) – Barrie RFC / Pacific Pride  
Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – Castaway Wanderers / Toronto Saracens  
Kainoa Lloyd (Mississauga, ON) – Queen’s University / Associates Rugby Club  
Mark Balaski (Castlebar, IRE) – Castlebar RFC / Pacific Pride     
Nic Benn (Caves Beach, AUS) – Dallas Jackals   
Peter Nelson (Dungannon, NIR) – Dungannon RFC  
Rhys James (Kelowna, BC) – UBC Okanagan Heat / Pacific Pride  
Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZL) – Utah Warriors 
Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Vancouver Highlanders  
Talon McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Vancouver Highlanders 

 

INVITED TO TRAIN 

Spencer Cotie 
Morgan Di Nardo 
Noah Flesch 
Zephyr Melnyk 
Seth Purdey 

STANDBY 

Crosby Stewart 
Djustice Sears-Duru  
Gabe Casey 
Isaac Olson 
Jake Thiel 
James Thiel 
Jamin Hodgkins 
Josh Thiel 
Lindsey Stevens 
Mitch Richardson 
Robert Povey 

World Rugby Online Learning Modules

World Rugby Online Learning Modules

Tackle Ready, which aims to reduce the risk of head injury at all levels of the sport by improving technique.

  • The programme forms key head injury prevention initiative within World Rugby’s six-point player welfare advancement strategy
  • All coaches at all levels will have access to a five-stage framework for coaching effective technique that promotes prevention
  • World Rugby and national unions currently examining tackle height limits in key closed trials to aid welfare outcomes
Tackle ready course
World Rugby launches Tackle Ready to educate players on safe tackle technique

Tackle Ready supports World Rugby’s commitment to advance best-practice injury-prevention education programmes within a wide-ranging strategy to cement rugby as the most progressive sport on player welfare. Under Tackle Ready, coaches at all levels will be given a five-stage framework around which to coach the tackle, broken down into the following categories: tracking, preparation, connection, acceleration and finish.

The content is relevant for all ages and stages of player and builds on the introductory information provided in Rugby Ready and should be used by coaches in conjunction with their Union’s Age Grade Law Variations where applicable.

VIEW THE GUIDANCE HERE >>

Tackle Ready supports the education pillar of the recently launched strategy to cement rugby as the most progressive sport on player welfare. It has been developed following comprehensive research into the relationship between head injuries and the tackle, which demonstrates that 76 per cent of head injuries occur at the tackle, two thirds of head injuries occur to the tackler and a bent at the waist tackle is 4.5 times safer than an upright, face-to-face tackle.

The innovative injury-prevention programme is available via its World Rugby’s Free-to-access video guidance available at [https://passport.world.rugby/injury-prevention-and-risk-management/tackle-ready/] means that everyone in the game will be able to access and benefit from the best-practice resource.

TEAM CANADA’S PARIS 2024 WOMEN’S RUGBY SEVENS TEAM UNVEILED

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TEAM CANADA’S PARIS 2024 WOMEN’S RUGBY SEVENS TEAM UNVEILED

Rugby Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced the roster of Team Canada women’s rugby sevens athletes nominated to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The athletes are:

1. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, B.C.) – Castaway Wanderers
2. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, Ont.) – Lindsay RFC
3. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) – CRFC
4. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, Ont.) – Toronto Nomads RFC / Westshore RFC
5. Chloe Daniels (Sutton, Ont.) – Aurora Barbarians / Queen’s University
6. Charity Williams (Toronto, Ont.) – Markham Irish
7. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, B.C.) – University of British Columbia
8. Carissa Norsten (Waldheim, Sask.) – Kirin RFC / University of Victoria
9. Krissy Scurfield (Canmore, AB.) – University of Victoria
10. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB.) – NorWester Athletic Association / Westshore RFC
11. Piper Logan (Calgary, AB.) – Calgary Hornets / University of British Columbia
12. Keyara Wardley (Vulcan, AB.) – Unaffiliated
Taylor Perry (Oakville, Ont.) – Oakville Crusaders – Alternate (Travelling)

Canada’s women’s rugby sevens team qualified for Paris 2024 on home soil in Langford, B.C. last August at the 2023 Rugby Americas North Sevens regional qualification event, going undefeated and winning 53-0 over Mexico in the final.

The team opened the 2024 HSBC SVNS season in December 2023 with a fourth place performance in Dubai, beating Ireland in the quarterfinals and playing a tight match against New Zealand in the semifinals. They went on to play in the third place play-off at three more SVNS stops throughout the season, headlined by their bronze medal in front of a home crowd in Vancouver. They finished fourth in Los Angeles and ended the season ranked fourth in the world after a strong performance at the 2024 HSBC SVNS Grand Final in Madrid that saw Canada beat New Zealand in pool play for the first time since 2016.

Charity Williams will make her third Olympic appearance. In her Olympic debut at Rio 2016, Williams was a member of the team that won bronze. She competed at Tokyo 2020 alongside Olivia Apps and Keyara Wardley, who are each returning for a second Olympic appearance. Williams tied with teammate Krissy Scurfield as Canada’s leading try scorer this season on the HSBC SVNS Series, both with 20 tries.

Seven players (Caroline Crossley, Alysha Corrigan, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Chloe Daniels, Charity Williams, Carissa Norsten and Piper Logan) played for Team Canada at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games where they won the silver medal. Norsten, who made her senior debut with Canada’s women’s rugby sevens team in Santiago, will look to continue to impress internationally in her Olympic debut. Norsten was the 2022 U SPORTS Rookie of the Year and the 2024 HSBC SVNS Women’s Rookie of the Year.

The team will be captained by Olivia Apps, who made her SVNS Series debut in 2018. Apps has since represented Canada in 25 world series tournaments, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and two Rugby World Cup Sevens (2018 and 2022). The 25-year-old veteran has also made appearances with Canada’s women’s rugby (15s) team, including at the recent Pacific Four Series along with Fancy Bermudez, which Canada won for the first time with a historic victory over New Zealand.

“It feels really exciting to be able to be part of this group and especially to be able to share this milestone with a lot of my younger teammates. Watching them have this experience for the first time is exciting and fulfilling,” said Apps. “For me personally, I think Paris will be a different experience than Tokyo. To be able to have my friends and family there watching and having a full stadium is going to be different, and it does feel like my first Olympics in that way. Overall with this group and the growth that this team has had since Tokyo, I think in the last year we’ve really started to find our stride. There’s been a lot of confidence built this year and we’ve seen a lot of our young players really step up and take on some big roles on and off the pitch. I’m really excited to be able to put it all together and have the consistency that we’ve shown this season translate onto the field in Paris. I’m proud of the group and honoured to be able to be part of this for a second time.”

Chloe Daniels will be Canada’s vice-captain. Daniels is a former Rugby Canada Maple Leaf Development Academy player who debuted with the senior national sevens team in 2021 at the age of 18. She led Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team in points on the 2024 HSBC SVNS Series with 131.

“It’s hard to believe that the Olympic Games are just a few weeks away,” said Daniels. “Our journey this year has been incredibly inspiring for the team, boosting our confidence in competing for an Olympic medal. The dedication and hard work from both the players and staff throughout the year have prepared us to perform at our best, and we’re ready to tackle any challenges that come our way.”

Canada won its first Olympic rugby medal at Rio 2016 when the women’s rugby sevens team captured bronze in the discipline’s inaugural Olympic tournament. At Tokyo 2020, Canada’s women’s rugby sevens team did not advance from the group stage.

“As a program we’ve been building towards the Paris Olympics all season, and the players and staff are excited and honoured to be representing Canada on the Olympic stage in a few weeks,” said Jack Hanratty, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team. “We have had many milestone moments this season, but know that there’s still more that we can and want to accomplish. While we congratulate and celebrate our travelling players, every single player in our program has contributed to our journey to the Olympics.”

Women’s rugby sevens will take place July 28 to July 30 (Day 2 to 4) at the Stade de France. Canada has drawn in Pool A, alongside New Zealand, Fiji and People’s Republic of China.

‘’The Canadian women’s rugby sevens team has brilliantly converted their tries to proudly represent Canada’s colours in Paris. These resilient and versatile athletes bring exceptional depth, diversity and cohesion to the team,‘’ said Bruny Surin, Team Canada’s Paris 2024 Chef de Mission. ‘’I look forward to cheering them on as they tackle challenges and dominate at the heart of the scrum to triumph on the Olympic stage in Paris.‘’

Team Canada’s women’s rugby sevens team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games also includes the following coaches and support staff:

Coaches
Jack Hanratty (Halifax, N.S.) – Head Coach
Jocelyn Barrieau (Montreal, Que.) – Assistant Coach
Iain Monaghan (Victoria, B.C.) – Assistant Coach

Support Staff
Jennifer Joyce (Richmond, B.C.) – Strength & Conditioning Coach
Danielle McNally (Hubbards, N.S.) – Therapist
Richard Owen (Taunton, U.K.) – Analyst
Alexandra Henry (Georgetown, Ont.) – Team Manager
Dustin Hopkins (Victoria, B.C.) – Support Personnel

Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.

The latest Team Canada Paris 2024 roster can be found here.

 

 

THIRTY-FOUR PLAYERS NAMED TO CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM FOR OTTAWA SUMMER FIXTURES AGAINST SCOTLAND AND ROMANIA

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THIRTY-FOUR PLAYERS NAMED TO CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM FOR OTTAWA SUMMER FIXTURES AGAINST SCOTLAND AND ROMANIA

Thirty-four players have been named to Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team for the Ottawa summer fixtures against Scotland and Romania.  

Canada will take on Scotland on Saturday July 6 at 5:00pm ET and Romania on Friday July 12 at 7:00pm ET, with both matches taking place at TD Place. Tickets can be purchased here. 

The roster includes 18 MLR players, who will travel to Ottawa following the conclusion of the MLR regular season this weekend. Among these players are six from the Eastern Conference leading New England Free Jacks as well as five who hit significant MLR cap milestones this season: Ben LeSage, Kyle Baillie, Conor Keys and Mitch Richardson each reached 50 caps, with Andrew Quattrin getting his 75th.  

The Ottawa summer fixtures will see the return home of Stittsville’s own Conor Keys who was inspired to take up rugby after watching a Canada vs Scotland A match at Twin Elm Rugby Park in 2006. 

Nine players on the squad were also named to the Canada Selects roster currently preparing to play the Vancouver Highlanders at Burnaby Lake Rugby Club this Friday. Three Highlanders players, Matthew Klimchuk and brothers Takoda McMullin and Talon McMullin, have been named to the Ottawa squad as well.  

Matthew Oworu, Cooper Coats and Josiah Morra will join from Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team.  

Thirteen players could earn their first cap for Canada in Ottawa. This includes Dewald Kotze, who is currently third in MLR scoring with 10 tries, the McMullin brothers, and two players who competed in the Coast to Coast Cup final this past weekend: Jamin Hodgkins (Atlantic Privateers) and James Stockwood (Toronto Arrows Academy). 

The Pacific Pride’s Jesse Kilgour, who spent time with Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team in April at the 2024 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, as well as Rhys James, Jesse Mackail and Mark Balaski, will also be looking for their first caps, as will MLR players Ethan Fryer, Nic Benn, Brock Gallagher and Cali Martinez. 

One of these 13 players could become the 500th player to take to the pitch for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team while in Ottawa, with the number of capped players currently at 497. 

“This is the start of our pathway to Rugby World Cup qualification. We have a balance of players whose international experience will be crucial as we take on a strong Scotland team with a short runway for preparation, and some new faces who have earned the call up to the national team with their fantastic performances in the MLR or with clubs overseas and their massive growth and improvement through the Pacific Pride program,” said Kingsley Jones, Head Coach of Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team. “Our depth has grown, making this a tough selection, which is pleasing from a coaching point of view. There will be lots of opportunities over the next few months for our players as we continue to grow that depth, which will be important as we build towards Rugby World Cup qualification in 2025. But it starts next week in Ottawa, and we’re excited to get to work with this group.” 

Head Coach Kingsley Jones will be joined on the coaching staff by assistant coaches Phil Mack, Dave Butcher, and John MacFarland. 

Tickets for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team against Scotland and Romania are available for purchase at rugby.ca/en/tickets. Questions regarding ticket purchases can be directed to tickets@rugby.ca. For more information on suites, please contact suites@rugby.ca. Broadcast information will be announced shortly.  

Media accreditation applications are currently being accepted here. Questions regarding media accreditation can be directed to media@rugby.ca. 

CANADA’S MEN’S RUGBY TEAM OTTAWA SQUAD 

 

FORWARDS 
Andrew Quattrin (Holland Landing, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / New England Free Jacks 
Calixto Martinez (White Rock, BC) – Old Glory DC 
Cole Keith (Apohaqui, NB) – Belleisle Rovers RFC / New England Free Jacks  
Conor Keys (Stittsville, ON) – New England Free Jacks 
Conor Young (Yamba, AUS) – Southern Districts Rugby Club / RFC LA 
Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Dallas Jackals 
Djustice Sears-Duru (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / San Diego Legion 
Ethan Fryer (Seattle, USA) – New England Free Jacks 
James Stockwood (Bowmanville, ON) – Vikings RFC / Pacific Pride 
Jesse Mackail (Palmerston North, NZL) – UBCOB Ravens / Pacific Pride 
Kyle Baillie (Summerside, PEI) – Halifax Tars / New England Free Jacks 
Liam Murray (Langley, BC) – Dallas Jackals 
Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC / Chicago Hounds 
Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons RFC / Chicago Hounds 
Matthew Klimchuk (Regina, SK) – Regina Rogues / Pacific Pride / Vancouver Highlanders 
Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride 
Siaki Vikilani (Vancouver, BC) – Burnaby Lake RFC / The American Raptors 
Siôn Parry (Cardiff, Wales) – Rhiwbina RFC / Pontypridd RFC 

BACKS 
Andrew Coe (Markham, ON) – RFC LA 
Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks 
Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Dallas Jackals 
Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars 
Jamin Hodgkins (Bermuda) – Bridgend Ravens 
Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Chicago Hounds 
Jesse Kilgour (Barrie, ON) – Barrie RFC / Pacific Pride 
Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – Castaway Wanderers / Toronto Saracens 
Kainoa Lloyd (Mississauga, ON) – Queen’s University / Associates Rugby Club 
Mark Balaski (Castlebar, IRE) – Castlebar RFC / Pacific Pride    
Mitch Richardson (Stoney Creek, ON) – McMaster University / Dallas Jackals 
Nic Benn (Caves Beach, AUS) – Dallas Jackals  
Peter Nelson (Dungannon, UK) – Dungannon RFC 
Rhys James (Kelowna, BC) – UBC Okanagan Heat / Pacific Pride 
Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Vancouver Highlanders 
Talon McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Vancouver Highlanders 

STANDBY 
Callum Botchar 
Crosby Stewart 
Emerson Prior 
Foster DeWitt 
Gabe Casey 
Gradyn Boyd 
Isaac Olson 
Izzak Kelly 
Jack Shaw 
Jake Thiel 
Josh Larsen 
Josh Thiel 
Kyle Steeves 
Matt Heaton 
Piers Von Dadelszen  
Robert Povey 
Seth Purdey 
Tyler Rowland 
Zephyr Melnyk 

MEN’S CANADA SELECTS TRAINING SQUAD NAMED AHEAD OF MATCH VERSUS VANCOUVER HIGHLANDERS

MEN’S CANADA SELECTS TRAINING SQUAD NAMED AHEAD OF MATCH VERSUS VANCOUVER HIGHLANDERS

Twenty-eight players have been named to a men’s Canada Selects squad preparing to play the Vancouver Highlanders on Friday June 28 at Burnaby Lake Rugby Club.

The match will be the first in a double-header evening that will see the Vancouver Highlanders open their season by taking on the Canada Selects, with kick-off at 4:30pm PT, and Barbados.

This match will provide a valuable high performance training opportunity for top Canadian talent outside the MLR that will build into July, with the possibility of players from both the Canada Selects and the Vancouver Highlanders making the roster for Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team’s matches in Ottawa. It will also see the continuation of work that has been done by players from an extended Pacific Pride group, with the full Canada Selects training squad convening in Langford on Monday following the conclusion of the Coast to Coast Cup.

Several U20 players have been named to the squad as well, providing an opportunity for them to continue training at a high level and with Rugby Canada high performance staff following the World Rugby U20 Trophy qualifier matches held on Vancouver Island earlier this month.

The Canada Selects will be led by Phil Mack, Attack Coach of Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team, who will be supported by John MacFarland and Dave Butcher.

“It’s great to have this opportunity for some of the country’s best domestic players to go head-to-head. With the Coast to Coast Cup also currently ongoing, this is the first time in a while where we’ve had about 250 men’s players from across the country participating in competition of this level within the span of a week,” said Mack. “Players from both squads have put in a lot of work over the last few weeks and months, and we’re looking forward to seeing that continue as we bring this group together for an intensive week of training.”

Tickets to watch the Canada Selects play the Vancouver Highlanders on Friday June 28 at Burnaby Lake Rugby Club are available for purchase here. More information on the Vancouver Highlanders can be found here.

Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team’s squad for the upcoming matches in Ottawa will be named on Tuesday June 25. Tickets to watch Canada play Scotland on July 6 and Romania on July 12 are currently on sale here. More information is available here.

 

FORWARDS

Braden Bruce (Buckhorn, ON) – Peterborough Pagans / Pacific Pride
Bryce Worden (Sussex, NB) – Burnaby Lake Rugby Cub

James Stockwood (Bowmanville, ON) – Vikings RFC / Pacific Pride
Jeffrey Young (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Bedwas RFC

Jesse Mackail (Palmerston North, NZL) – UBCOB Ravens / Pacific Pride
Jordan Auger (Ottawa, ON) – University of Victoria / Barrhaven Scottish
Kaden Duguid (Edmonton, AB) – Nor’Westers Athletic Association 
Moe Steves (Victoria, BC) – James Bay AA / University of Victoria
Olly Wiseman (London, ENG) – Cardiff Metropolitan University
Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Pacific Pride
Siaki Vikilani (Vancouver, BC) – Burnaby Lake RFC / The American Raptors
Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Pontypridd RFC
Tyler Matchem (Pictou County, NS) – Pacific Pride / Pictou County RFC
Zephyr Melnyk (Gabriola Island, BC) – Nanaimo Hornets / Pacific Pride

BACKS 

Crosby Stewart (Prince Rupert, BC) – James Bay AA
James Thiel (Abbotsford, BC) – Pacific Pride / Abbotsford RFC
Jamin Hodgkins (Bermuda) – Cardiff Metropolitan University
Jesse Kilgour (Barrie, ON) – Barrie RFC / Pacific Pride
Kainoa Lloyd (Mississauga, ON) – Queen’s University
Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – UBC Okanagan Heat / Pacific Pride
Matthew Bennett (Victoria, BC) – University of Victoria
Mark Balaski (Castlebar, IRE) – Castlebar RFC / Pacific Pride
Morgan Di Nardo (Toronto, ON) – Toronto City Rugby / University of Victoria
Mostyn Findlay (Regina, SK) – James Bay AA
Peter Nelson (Dungannon, UK) – Dungannon RFC
Rhys James (Haverfordwest, WAL) – UBC Okanagan Heat / Pacific Pride
Spencer Cotie (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / University of Victoria
Thomas Burton (Ormstown, QC) – James Bay AA

CANADA’S MEN’S SEVENS TEAM ROSTER NAMED FOR WORLD RUGBY SEVENS REPECHAGE

 

CANADA’S MEN’S SEVENS TEAM ROSTER NAMED FOR WORLD RUGBY SEVENS REPECHAGE

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team’s roster for the upcoming World Rugby Sevens Repechage, the final qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympics, has been announced by Head Coach Sean White.

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team will compete in Pool B along with Uganda, China and Great Britain over June 21 to 23 at Stade Louis II in Monaco. Pool play will be contested over June 21 and 22, with quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals set for June 23. The winner of the final will claim the one remaining berth for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Tokyo 2020 Olympian Phil Berna captains the team, which sees the return of Alex Russell, Ethan Hager and Henry Kirwan. The squad also features Canada’s points leaders from the 2024 HSBC SVNS Series, Jack Carson and Cooper Coats. Carson was recently named the winner of the 2024 HSBC SVNS Men’s Try of the Series award for a highlight-reel score involving Berna and Kal Sager against Argentina.

“With some assistance from funding partners alongside Rugby Canada funding, we were able to remain in Europe following the Madrid tournament, entering an intensive training block to prepare for Monaco, with additional players and staff members joining us in Roquebilliere, France to complete our training group,” said Sean White, Head Coach of Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team.

“As difficult as it has been, this group has turned the page on Madrid and has a sole focus on the task at hand. The goal is 1-0. Game by game. Moment by moment. Remaining present and steadfast on what our strengths are as individuals and how they contribute to the collective will be key for our success. We are aware of the challenges we will face and are ready to conquer them as they arise.”

The Olympic pools will be announced at the conclusion of the World Rugby Sevens Repechage, with rugby sevens set to kick off Paris 2024 at Stade de France, starting with the men’s competition on July 24.  

POOL PLAY SCHEDULE

Friday June 21

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Uganda
6:28 am PT / 9:28 am ET / 3:28 pm local time

 

Saturday June 22

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs China
3:28 am PT / 6:28 am ET / 12:28 pm local time

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Great Britain
10:08 am PT / 1:08 pm ET / 7:08 pm local time

 

MORE INFO

More information on the World Rugby Sevens Repechage, including the schedule and results, can be found on the World Rugby website here. Ticket information can be found here.

 

CANADA’S MEN’S SEVENS ROSTER

4.Phil Berna (Vancouver, BC) – Vancouver Rowing Club
5. Alex Russell (Chichester, ENG) – McGill University
6. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – Castaway Wanderers / Toronto Saracens
8. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars
15. Ethan Hager (Brantford, ON) – Brantford Harlequins
19. Matthew Oworu (Calgary, AB) – Pacific Pride  
23. Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) – Foothills Lions RFC 
28. Henry Kirwan (Brighton, ENG) – Brighton Blues / Cardiff Metropolitan University
33. Kal Sager (Peterborough, ON) – Peterborough Pagans / Trent University
64. Elias Hancock (Ottawa, ON) – Bytown Blues / University of Ottawa
77. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Pacific Pride
99. Jack Carson (Victoria, BC) – University of British Columbia

2024 Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team Announcement

30 players named to Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team for 2024 Pacific Four Series 

 

Head Coach Kevin Rouet has named Canada’s travelling roster for the upcoming Pacific Four Series, the team’s first competition of 2024.  

 

The squad will convene in Langford for a training camp ahead of travelling to Los Angeles for the first match against the United States on April 28 at 1:30pm PT/4:30pm ET. Canada’s second match will be against Australia on May 11 at 12:05am PT/3:05am ET (5:05pm local time) in Sydney, with the team then travelling to Christchurch to take on reigning Rugby World Cup champions, the New Zealand Black Ferns, on Saturday May 18 at 9:35pm PT/Sunday May 19 12:35am ET (4:35pm local time on May 19). 

Canada placed second in the 2023 Pacific Four Series, with wins over the United States and Australia and a loss to New Zealand in front of a record-breaking crowd in Ottawa. For the second year in a row, the Pacific Four Series will qualify teams for WXV, with the top three teams earning a spot in the top WXV tier, which is being hosted in Canada this fall.

“Since we hosted the Pacific Four Series in Ottawa last year, our team has continued to grow and develop with a very strong group of core players as we prepare to qualify for WXV and as we look forward to the 2025 Rugby World Cup,” said Rouet. “Many of our players have continued to play at a high level since we were last together for WXV in the fall, competing in Canada, internationally and on the HSBC SVNS Series. We are excited to be back together and to test ourselves in three matches against some of the top teams in the world in the Pacific Four Series.”  

Olivia Apps, Fancy Bermudez, Pamphinette Buisa, Sabrina Poulin and team captain Sophie de Goede join the squad after representing Canada at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens last weekend. 

With a total of three Pacific Four Series matches on deck, Tyson Beukeboom, who has 65 caps for Canada, has the potential to surpass Gillian Florence (67 caps) as the most capped women’s rugby player of all time. Olivia DeMerchant (57 caps), Alex Tessier (48 caps) and Brittany Kassil (38 caps) are all closing in on significant cap milestones for Canada as well. 

Claire Gallagher and Sara Cline, who both earned their first caps for Canada during last year’s Pacific Four Series, have been named to the Canadian squad. Cassandra Tuffnail, Mahalia Robinson and Julia Omokhuale, who all earned their first caps in 2023 as well, have also been selected by Rouet. 

More information on the Pacific Four Series, including scores and results, can be found on the official website at world.rugby/tournaments/pacific-four-series. Broadcast details for the Pacific Four Series will be announced shortly. 

 

April 28: USA vs Canada (Los Angeles, CA) – TICKETS 

May 11: Australia vs Canada (Sydney, Australia) – TICKETS 

May 18: New Zealand vs Canada (Christchurch, New Zealand) – TICKETS

 

CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM PACIFC FOUR SERIES SQUAD

 

FORWARDS  

Alexandria Ellis (Ottawa, ON) – Barrhaven Scottish / Stade Français Paris    

Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph RFC 

Cassandra Tuffnail (Heidelberg, ON) – Ealing Trailfinders 

Courtney Holtkamp (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby 

DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Exeter Chiefs  

Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs 

Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais 

Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Stade Bordelais 

Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC 

Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Irish Rugby Club / Leicester Tigers 

Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / ASM Romagnat 

McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens 

Olivia DeMerchant (Mapledale, NB) – Halifax Tars RFC 

Pamphinette Buisa (Gatineau, QC) – Ottawa Irish 

Sara Cline (Edmonton, AB) – Leprechaun Tigers / Western Force 

Sara Svoboda (Belleville, ON) – Brantford Harlequins / Belleville Bulldogs / Loughborough Lightning 

Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers RFC / Saracens 

Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan RFC / Ealing Trailfinders

 

BACKS 

Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs 

Claire Gallagher (Caledon, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Leicester Tigers 

Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) – NorWester Athletic Associations / Westshore RFC 

Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph RFC /Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders  

Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais 

Madison Grant (Cornwall, ON) – Cornwall Claymores 

Mahalia Robinson (Fulford, QC) – Town of Mount Royal RFC 

Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC 

Paige Farries (Red Deer, AB) – Westshore RFC / Saracens 

Sabrina Poulin (St-Georges, QC) – Town of Mount Royal RFC 

Sarah-Maude Lachance (Victoriaville, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Lons Section Paloise 

Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Chiefs Manawa 

 

NON-TRAVELLING RESERVES 

Ashlynn Smith (Abbotsford, BC) – University of Calgary 

Audrey Champagne (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Université Laval 

Corinne Fréchette (Saint-Zéphirin-de-Courval, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Université Laval 

Demi Swann (Georgetown, ON) – Exeter Chiefs 

Eden Kilgour (Barrie, ON) – Westshore RFC / Aurora Barbarians 

Emily Belchos (Innisfil, ON) – Castaway Wanderers 

Emma Taylor (Scotsburn, NS) – Halifax RFC 

Jordan McLeod (Rivers, MB) – Brandon Barbarians / University of British Columbia 

Larah Wright (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Hornets RFC / University of Victoria 

Lizzie Gibson (Caledon, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Queen’s University 

Magali Harvey (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais  

Maggie Mackinnon (Sooke, BC) – University of Victoria 

Maya Montiel (Dieppe, NB) – University of Ottawa / Saracens 

Mikiela Nelson (North Vancouver, BC) – Capilano RFC 

Mya Brubacher (West Montrose, ON) – Kingston Panthers / Queen’s University 

Rachel Smith (South Surrey, BC) – University of British Columbia 

Rosalie Lepage (Quebec City, QC) – Université Laval 

Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders  

Rugby Canada Selection for 2024 Community Rugby Fund

 

Rugby Canada selects a record 22 clubs across the country for 2024 Community Rugby Fund

April 17, 2024 (Langford, BC) – Rugby Canada, with funding from the Government of Canada, are pleased to announce the 22 successful applicants for 2024 that will receive support through Rugby Canada’s Community Rugby Fund. This is the highest number of clubs selected in a single year since the fund began in 2021.

2024 marks the fourth year of the Community Rugby Fund, which was made possible through the federal government’s Community Sport for All Initiative (CSAI). The fund supports National Sport Organizations (NSOs) in establishing more accessible and locally organized sport programs aimed at reducing barriers to participation, particularly among Black, Indigenous and racialized communities as well as 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, persons with disabilities, people with low incomes, and newcomers. A total of $16.7 million in funding was provided to 39 NSOs, including Rugby Canada.

This year, Rugby Canada received 67 applications from across Canada and with 22 recipients selected for 2024, a total of 49 applications have now been approved for funding since the Community Rugby Fund began in 2021.

For 2024, priority was given to rugby clubs, schools or community organizations who applied for grant funding that focused on cultivating the community game with special consideration given to projects that:

  • Create or develop a school-to-club pathway to increase the number of registered rugby players participating in club rugby.
  • Enhance inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility of rugby within a club, educational institution, or community organization, particularly for Black, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+, and newcomers to Canada.
  • Create new programs or develop existing programs that aim to introduce women and girls to the game of rugby.
  • Build program delivery capacity through the development of Coaches or Match Officials within the rugby community.

“2024 marks a monumental year for the Community Rugby Fund,” said Jamie Levchuk, Managing Director of Operations and Game Development for Rugby Canada. “This year we are proud to select 22 new recipients and provide $100 000 in total funding for the successful clubs, schools and community organizations who all displayed the ability to grow community and grassroots rugby in Canada. I look forward to seeing the long-lasting impact all our successful applications will have on our game.”

 

2024 Community Rugby Fund Recipient List

Langley Rugby Club
Location: British Columbia
Focus: School-to-club pathway development & mixed abilities rugby

Aurora Wolves Rugby Union
Location: British Columbia
Focus: School-to-club pathway development

Axemen Rugby Club
Location: British Columbia
Focus: School-to-club pathway development

Belleville Bulldogs RFC
Location: Ontario
Focus: Programming for Women & Girls, Capacity Building

Brockville Privateers RFC
Location: Ontario
Focus: Programming for Women & Girls, Capacity Building, School-to-club pathway development

Calgary Hornets RFC 
Location: Alberta  
Focus: School-to-club pathway development 

Donald A. Wilson Secondary School
Location: Ontario
Focus: School-to-club pathway development

Edmonton Clansmen Rugby Football Club 
Location: Alberta 
Focus: New Youth Programming and Programming for Women & Girls

Elk Valley Rugby Football Club
Location: British Columbia
Focus Area: New Youth Programming & School-to-club pathway development

James Bay Athletic Association
Location: British Columbia
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development, Youth Leadership Programming

Manitoba Wombats
Location: Manitoba
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development

Mississauga Blues Rugby Club
Location: Ontario
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development, Youth Leadership Programming

Mont-Tremblant RFC
Location: Quebec
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development & Capacity Building

Nor’ Westers Athletic Association 
Location: Alberta  
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development, Programming for Women & Girls  

Ottawa Irish Rugby Club
Location: Ontario
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development

Ottawa Wolves Rugby Football Club
Location: Ontario
Focus Area: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programming

Rainbow Griffins Rugby Football Club
Location: Ontario
Focus Area: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programming

Thunder Rugby
Location: British Columbia
Focus Area: Indigenous Participation Programming

Toronto City Rugby Club
Location: Ontario
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development

Tri-County Regional Centre for Education
Location: Nova Scotia
Focus Area: School-to-club pathway development, New Youth Programming

Williams Lake Rugby Football Club
Location: British Columbia
Focus Area: Indigenous Participation Programming & School-to-club pathway development

Winnipeg High School Rugby
Location: Manitoba
Focus Area: Capacity Building & New Youth Programming

 

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY RUGBY FUND

The Community Rugby Fund aims to benefit the sustainability and growth of rugby across Canada. The fund allows all registered rugby clubs, as well as schools and community organizations in Canada, to submit an application for funding based on the guidelines and criteria provided by the program. All submissions will be given equal consideration and recipients of the grants will be announced annually.

Details of the 2025 Community Rugby Fund will be announced early in 2025. For more information, please click HERE or email communityfund@rugby.ca

 

ABOUT RUGBY CANADA

Rugby Canada is the national governing body of the sport of Rugby Union in Canada. They administer and operate Men’s and Women’s Senior and Junior National programs in both rugby 15s and 7s, as well as govern the Club and community game for more than 30,000 registered participants from coast to coast in conjunction with ten Provincial Union members.

Rugby Canada is headquartered at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford, BC, residing on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Lekwungen/Songhees peoples, with staff also working from Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City. Rugby Canada business operations, programs and events are delivered nationwide, including the internationally recognized HSBC SVNS Vancouver annual tournaments.

U16 Boys Wolf Pack Skills Camp

We’re excited to invite all young men born in 2008 and 2009 to join us for this fantastic opportunity to hone your skills and learn from our U16 Wolf Pack Boys Coaches: Paul Looker and Joe Alaimoana

Northern Camp:

Southern Camp:

Following the Southern Camp, be sure to stick around for the thrilling Senior Men and Women Wolf Pack games at 1 pm and 3 pm! It’s your chance to experience high-level rugby action and show your support for our senior Wolf Pack teams!

Questions?

Send Peter or Sandy a message. Send us a message. 

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Senior Head Coach – Wolf Pack North And South Men’s And Women’s

Rugby Alberta is actively seeking experienced Head Coaches to lead our Wolf Pack North and South Men’s and Women’s Programs. We are in search of dedicated individuals who can contribute to the growth of our rugby community, fostering strong connections with athletes, coaches, and parents through the implementation of positive, purposeful, and professional coaching strategies.

As a key member of the Rugby Alberta Program, our Head Coaches will collaborate closely to establish a high-performance program for senior male and female players in the North and South regions. Over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, with support from Rugby Alberta, the Head Coaches will play a pivotal role in delivering a comprehensive and holistic high-performance program. This program will not only focus on achieving on-field success but also prioritize individual player development and overall team success.

Beyond immediate on-field goals, the successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to long-term player development, actively contribute to the overall promotion of the game, and adhere to the established guidelines of the provincial program. It is crucial that the Head Coach operates within a framework that ensures consistency across all levels, reflecting the values and principles of Rugby Alberta—a true embodiment of the Alberta Way.

Schedule

  • South ID Camp – March 30th 3:30 – 6:30pm Shouldice Dome, Calgary
  • North ID Camp – March 23rd 8:30 – 10:30 am Foote Field, Edmonton
  • April 27th – Game
  • May 4th – Game
  • May 18-20 – Game
  • July Game TBA

Full Job Description 

Wolf Pack Senior (North-South) Head Coach.pdf

If you have any questions about this role, please contact Rugby Alberta Director of Rugby Operations Peter Houlihan at p.houlihan@rugbyalberta.com