Rugby Alberta is proud to announce the adoption of a lower tackle height law trial for all rugby played within the province of Alberta under its jurisdiction. The law trial will apply to competitions beginning after March 1, 2026 . This decision aligns with World Rugby’s recommendation that the lower tackle height be adopted globally across the community game starting July 1, 2026 . Rugby Alberta has agreed to implement the trial in advance, with the full support of Rugby Canada and World Rugby.
Thirty players have been selected to represent Canada’s U21 Women’s Rugby Team this spring in Ireland and England. Canada will play Ireland on March 15 in Dublin, then travel to London to face the British Army on March 20, before finishing the tour with a match against England on March 25. “The selection process for this year’s U21 women’s team included four regional camps held in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and the Atlantic, as well as players’ performance in provincial U19 competition, regional games and U SPORTS,” said Dean Murten, Head Coach of Canada’s U21 Women’s Rugby Team. “This is an exciting group of up-and-coming players that our experienced coaching staff is looking forward to working with in Ireland and England.” All players selected have U SPORTS experience, with 26 having competed in the 2025 U SPORTS Women’s National Rugby Championship this past fall, including 11 who played in the gold medal match between the UBC Thunderbirds and the University of Victoria Vikes. “These tours and the program overall are a very important part of the pathway to our women’s national team,” said Kevin Rouet, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team. “It provides great opportunities for the next generation of women’s rugby players in Canada to gain value experience at the international level to test themselves against some of the best up-and-coming talent from around the world.” Rugby Canada would like to thank Raymond James, the Canadian Rugby Foundation, For the Love of the Game, Langara Fishing Lodge, Blenheim Foundation, GeoPacific Engineering and Anthem Properties for their support of Canada’s U21 Women’s Rugby Team. Information on how to support and follow the team will be announced in the coming weeks. CANADA’S U21 WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM IRELAND/ENGLAND TOUR SQUAD Adelaide Holmes (Waterloo, ON) – University of Guelph / Guelph RFC Adia Pye (Victoria, BC) – University of British Columbia Anya Prokopich (Surrey, BC) – University of British Columbia Brooke Roddham (Langley BC) – University of British Columbia Brooke Rempel (Ariss, ON) – Brock University / Brantford Harlequins Brynn Jenkins (Peterborough, ON) – Queen’s University / Peterborough Pagans Camille Arvin-Bérod (Saint-Denis-Sur-Richelieu, QC) – Université Laval / Montreal Irish Drew Spencer (Picton, ON) – Queen’s University / Belleville Bulldogs Faith Tilley (Halifax, NS) – University of Victoria / Halifax Tars / Castaway Wanderers Ivy Poetker (Calgary, AB) – University of Victoria / Calgary Rams / Westshore RFC Jesse Knaggs (Victoria, BC) – University of British Columbia / Castaway Wanderers Kaitlin Tetteh-Wayoe (Edmonton, AB) – University of Alberta Pandas Kyleigh Chandra (Mississauga,ON) – Burlington Centaurs / Queen’s University Kiki Idowu (Toronto, ON) – University of British Columbia / Toronto Scottish Lana Dueck (Abbotsford, BC) – University of British Columbia / ARFC Madison Minnis (Barrie, ON) – University of Guelph / Aurora Barbarians Maia Swemmer (Uxbridge, ON) – Queen’s University / Aurora Barbarians Mya Koleba (Vernon, BC) – University of British Columbia / TORA Nayka, Goudreau (Saint-Prosper-de-Dorchester, QC) – Université Laval / Club de Rugby de Québec Olivia Newsome (Calgary, AB) – University of Victoria Olivia Dibua (Caledon, ON) – Queen’s University / Aurora Barbarians Penelope Anderson (Sackville, NB) – TMRRFC / Concordia University Sandrine Faucher (Québec City, QC) – Université Laval / Club de Rugby de Québec ShonDreya Smardon (Ottawa, ON) – Barrhaven Scottish RFC / University of Victoria Sierra Hasse (Sainte-Lazare, QC) – Carleton University / SABRFC Sophie McDonald (Ottawa, ON) – University of Ottawa / Ottawa Rugby Club Steph Douglas (Toronto, ON) – Queen’s University / Aurora Barbarians Sydney, Woodcock (Trenton, ON) – Belleville Bulldogs / Queen’s University Tatum Lougheed (Calgary, AB) Queen’s University / Canucks Rugby Club Tia Jordo (Kelowna, BC) – University of British Columbia STAFF Dean Murten (Head Coach) Dan Valley (Attack Coach) Francois Vachon-Marceau (Forwards Coach) Clarence Gay (Lead S&C Coach) Jessica Algie (Lead Therapist) Emily Hickson (Therapist) Stacey Maskelyne (Analyst) Jordan McLeod (S&C support/Manager) SUPPORT RUGBY CANADA Canadian rugby is thriving, with record participation nationwide and major international success. Highlights include a silver medal at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, qualification for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, and Sophie de Goede being named World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year. With the support of donors across the country, Rugby Canada provides world-class training, competition, and development opportunities. Contributions help strengthen our women’s and men’s national teams, support a successful 2027 and 2029 Rugby World Cup campaign, and grow the pipeline of future Canadian rugby players. To donate, click HERE . For donations of $5,000+ or questions, contact us here .
Rugby Alberta is pleased to announce the U18 Boys long list for the Wolf Pack 7s program. This group of athletes represents the top emerging rugby talent from across Alberta and reflects the continued growth and strength of the provincial high-performance pathway. Final selections for the travelling squad of 14 athletes will take place at the Red Deer Dome on February 1st from 18:00–20:00 . Following this session, the selected team will represent Alberta at the Vancouver Sevens Invitational (VSI) from March 5–7 , one of Canada’s premier 7s tournaments, competing against top programs. Being named to the long list is a significant achievement and recognizes each athlete’s performance, commitment, and potential within the 7s environment. Rugby Alberta congratulates all players selected and acknowledges the vital role clubs, coaches, and families play in supporting athlete development across the province. U18 Boys Wolf Pack 7s Long List Aiden Smyth – EDM Gold Green Baron Bateman – EDM Gold Green Briggs Baker – Deep South Cam Akitt – Deep South Chase Major – EDM Gold Yellow Connell Murphy – County Warriors Devin Groeneveld – Big Country Storm Dihan Hyman – County Warriors Easton Wright – Deep South Eoghan Murphy – County Warriors Gerald Perotta – CGY Mavericks Black Isaac Rainey – Big Country Storm Jake Kerr – CGY Mavericks Black Jaren Alaimoana – County Warriors Jaxon McNeil – EDM Gold Green Jimmy Paul – EDM Gold Green Kayden Mellafont – Big Country Storm Keane Peters – EDM Gold Yellow Kian Mullen – EDM Gold Green Logan Forrest – EDM Gold Yellow Miles Ross – CGY Mavericks Black Milo Batnaegar – CGY Mavericks Black Oly Elvy – CGY Mavericks Black Quinn Lajoie – EDM Gold Green Rei Joseph – CGY Mavericks Black Rylan Driver – CGY Mavericks Silver Scott McLean – CGY Mavericks Black Seamus Adderley – CGY Mavericks Black Sebastien Bustomante – CGY Mavericks Black Tom Meikle – Central Predators Tucker Kitcher – EDM Gold Green Vasyl Johnson – EDM Gold Green Wyatt Bergsma – Deep South Wynn Pasquotti – Big Country Storm Zac Shackleton – EDM Gold Green ugby Alberta extends its congratulations to all players named to the U18 Boys Wolf Pack 7s long list and looks forward to announcing the final travelling roster following the selection session in Red Deer. The U18 Girls Wolf Pack 7s team will be announced following the ARC this coming weekend, with final selections to follow shortly after.
Rugby Alberta is pleased to announce that Andrew Shaw will be joining our team in the role of Manager, Rugby Operations, effective today, Friday, January 16. Andrew’s experience includes 5 years as a Rugby Development Officer for Saskatchewan Rugby, where he was involved in growth and development initiatives, rugby implementation in schools, and various training and education-focused activities. Andrew’s involvement in our sport has had him serve in various roles at the club level, the sub-union level and the provincial level. Andrew is a World Rugby Coach Educator and an experienced Match Official. In addition to his rugby experience, Andrew also brings project management, relationship building and leadership experience to his new role. In his new role, Andrew will work alongside the rest of the Rugby Alberta team to foster collaborative relationships that will create a cohesive, supportive and progressive rugby environment in Alberta. Focusing on player development, coach development and match official development, Andrew’s role will be focused on inspiring growth in the game, building sustainable programming, and maintaining alignment at all levels of our sport. Andrew will be based out of the Calgary area, and we are very excited to have him as part of the Rugby Alberta team!
