Olympic Medalists back for Canada

Canada has named a strong list of 25 players who will be centralized to compete on the 2016-17 HSBC Sevens Series that includes 10 of the squad that claimed a Bronze Medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. Only two of that side – forwards Karen Paquin and Kelly Russell – are absent, with both turning their focus towards the 15-a-side game again and the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland.

Returning faces include captain Jen Kish, top points scorer Ghislaine Landry, and star winger Bianca Farella. Britt Benn, Hannah Darling, Megan Lukan, Kayla Moleschi, Ashley Steacy, Natasha Watcham-Roy, and Charity Williams are the other Olympians included. Also returning are five with previous HSBC Series experience – Caroline Crossley, Julia Greenshields, Emma Jada, Sara Kaljuvee, and Breanne Nicholas.

Head coach John Tait also returns opting to stay with the women’s program rather than apply for Canada’s previously vacant men’s head coach position, and with an eye firmly on the 2020 Olympics he has invited five members of Canada’s 2016 u18 group to the centralized program. Crossley is joined by Olivia Apps, Sophie de Goede, Denise Roy, and Tia Svoboda.

Canadian fans might be familiar with a couple of those names. Sophie is the daughter of Canadian legend Hans de Goede, and Tia the sister of national u20 standouts Sara and Katie, and niece of three-time World Cup hooker Karl Svoboda. Their father Paul captained Canada’s rugby league team. The family ties don’t end there with Megan Lukan’s younger sister Kaili also looking to make the switch to high level rugby having competed for Canada in basketball.

The 2016-17 HSBC Women’s Sevens Series is currently set at five events, with a sixth still to be unveiled by World Rugby. Sources have indicated that the sixth event will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, in concert with the Men’s Sevens Series stop already tabled for March. Canada will again host an event at Westhills Stadium in Langford in May, while Japan replaces Brazil to host for the first time with their tournament set to start on April 22 in Kitakyushu.

CANADA WOMEN’S 7s
Olivia Apps (Aurora Barbarians), Brittany Benn (Guelph Redcoats), Pam Buisa (Ottawa Irish), Emma Chown (Kingston Panthers), Caroline Crossley (Castaway Wanderers), Hannah Darling (Peterborough Pagans), Sophie de Goede (Castaway Wanderers), Bianca Farella (TMR), Ashley Gordon (Brampton Beavers), Julia Greenshields (Sarnia Saints), Emma Jada (Guelph Redcoats), Sara Kaljuvee (Toronto Scottish), Jen Kish (Edmonton Rockers), Ghislaine Landry (Toronto Scottish), Kaili Lukan (Barrie), Megan Lukan (Barrie), Kayla Moleschi (Williams Lake Rustlers), Breanne Nicholas (London St. George’s), Irene Patrinos (Ottawa Irish), Denise Roy (Castaway Wanderers), Erika Scott (Ormstown Saracens), Ashley Steacy (Lethbridge), Tia Svoboda (Belleville Bulldogs), Natasha Watcham-Roy (Gatineau), Charity Williams (Markham Irish)

2016-17 HSBC WOMEN’S SEVENS SERIES
Dec 1-2 – Dubai, UAE
Feb 3-4 – Sydney, Australia
Mar 3-4 – Las Vegas, USA (to be confirmed)
Apr 22-23 – Kitakyushu, Japan
May 27-28 – Langford, Canada
Jun 24-25 – Clermont, France