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Canada’s future Olympic dreams have been entrusted with 12 young women in the new Maple Leafs Academy roster. With ages ranging from 18-22, the players are part of a long-term development program geared towards representation at Paris 2024.
Among those named are Sierra Gillis, who traveled with the Senior Women’s Sevens side to Marcoussis in September of 2018 while still a High School student. Maggie Mackinnon played with the Senior group in Nice last March, while Lizzie Gibson has been a standout flanker for the Women’s u20 side.
The team is coached by former Canada captain Kelly Russell, an international in both 7s and XVs. As with their senior counterparts, the Maple Leafs are on a full-time training scheduled based at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford.
MAPLE LEAFS 7s
Fancy Bermudez (Nor’Westers), Summer Blackmore (UVic Vikes), Chloe Daniels (Aurora Barbarians), Karina Gauto (Edmonton Clansmen), Lizzie Gibson (Oakville Crusaders), Sierra Gillis (Belmont HS), Renee Gonzalez (Westshore), Makayla Joseph (Notre Dame HS), Maggie Mackinnon (UVic Vikes), Kiri Ngawati (Westshore), Ella O’Regan (Castaway Wanderers), Shalaya Valenzuela (Abbotsford), Larah Wright (Calgary Hornets)
