Nine BC athletes have been named to Canada’s U20 Women’s Rugby Team roster for the upcoming tour in Ottawa, taking place alongside the 2023 World Rugby Pacific Four Series.
Congratulations to Soleil Brooks (Maple Ridge – Westshore RFC/UVIC Vikes), Jesse Knaggs (Victoria – Castaway Wanderers RFC/UBC Thunderbirds), Jessica Postle (Comox – Rapids Rugby/Central Washington University), Marina Skakun (Brentwood Bay – Castaway Wanderers RFC/UVIC Vikes), Gerry Atkins (Shawnigan Lake – Guelph Redcoats), Tia Jordo (Kelowna – Kelowna Crows RFC/UBC Thunderbirds), Madison Makara (Abbotsford – Abbotsford RFC), Lucie Romeo (Abbotsford – Abbotsford RFC) and Delaney Woods (Esquimalt – James Bay AA/UBC Thunderbirds) on their selection!
Following an opening match against the University of Ottawa on July 4 at 3:00pm PT/6:00pm ET, the team will play a curtain raiser match against the United States at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET on July 8 at TD Place ahead of Canada vs New Zealand (4:00pm PT/7:00pm ET) and Australia vs USA (1:00pm PT/4:00pm ET). Tickets to the July 8 Pacific Four Series matches include entry to the U20 match, and can be purchased at rugby.ca/en/tickets.
The team will conclude the tour with a match against the Welsh U20 women’s squad on July 13 at 3:30pm PT/6:30 pm ET at Twin Elm Rugby Park.
The selection process for the 26-player roster began with players being nominated by provincial unions and university coaches, with open talent identification camps led by provincial unions. A final Rugby Canada selection camp was held over June 2-6 in Vancouver.
“I would like to congratulate all the athletes on their selection for the U20 national team,” said Dean Murten, Canada’s U20 Women’s Rugby Team Head Coach. He is joined on the coaching staff by former national team players Carolyn McEwen (UBC Scrum and Lineout Coach) and Colette McAuley (University of Guelph Head Coach) and Skills Coach Glen Sharpe.
“We had a very tough time selecting from an outstanding group. We have a great opportunity in front of us to show the strength and quality of women’s rugby in Canada. Being given the opportunity to be in Ottawa whilst the Pacific Four Series is taking place is a special occasion that will live on in the memories of this next generation of Canadian women’s rugby players.”
More information on how to follow Canada’s U20 Women’s Rugby Team will be available shortly.
SCHEDULE
July 4 vs University of Ottawa
3:00pm PT/6:00pm ET
University of Ottawa
July 8 vs USA
9:00am PT/12:00pm ET
TD Place
July 13 vs Wales
3:30pm PT/6:30 pm ET
Twin Elm Rugby Park
CANADA’S U20 WOMEN’S OTTAWA TOUR ROSTER
FORWARDS
Kayah Adamuszewski (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Redcoats / University of Guelph
Akwaima Akpan (Lower Sackville, NS) – Halifax Rugby Football Club
Jayne Armatage (Waterloo, ON) – Guelph Redcoats / Queen’s University
Camille Arvin-Bérod (St-Denis-Sur-Richelieu, QC) – Montreal Irish / Cégep de St-Hyacinthe
Soleil Brooks (Maple Ridge, BC) – Westshore RFC / University of Victoria
Maxie Grant (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars RFC / Queen’s University
Tattyannah Jackson (Newmarket, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Queen’s University
Jesse Knaggs (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / University of British Columbia
Taylor McKnight (Stouffville, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / University of Guelph
Sasha Oreskovich (Halifax, NS) – University of British Columbia
Jessica Postle (Comox, BC) – Rapids Rugby / Central Washington University
Marina Skakun (Brentwood Bay, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / University of Victoria
Maia Swemmer (Uxbridge, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Brock University
Faith Tilley (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars / University of Victoria
BACKS
Gerry Atkins (Shawnigan Lake, BC) – Guelph Redcoats / University of Guelph
Madison Donnelly (Little Britain, ON) – Brock RFC / Aurora Barbarians / Queen’s University
Sara Grant (Melrose, NB) – Bagtown Bruisers / Acadia University
Tia Jordo (Kelowna, BC) – Kelowna Crows / University of British Columbia
Eden Kilgour (Barrie, ON) – Westshore RFC / Aurora Barbarians
Madison Makara (Abbotsford, BC) – Abbotsford RFC
Lauren Maye (Halifax, NS) – Tars / Saint Mary’s University
Reese Morgan (Toronto, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Harvard University
Lucie Romeo (Abbotsford, BC) – Abbotsford RFC / University of Victoria
Victoria Stanley (Toronto, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Harvard University
Madison Thompson (Uxbridge, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Queen’s University
Delaney Woods (Esquimalt, BC) – James Bay AA / University of British Columbia
NON-TRAVELLING RESERVES
Megan Allard (Saint-Lazare, QC) – SABRFC / John Abbott College
Abigail Auger (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Redcoats / University of Guelph
Paige DeNeve (Zephyr, ON) – Oshawa Vikings / Brock University
Mika Matsukubo (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish / Queen’s University
Carissa Norsten (Waldheim, SK) – Kirin RFC / University of Victoria
Riley Rewakoski (Uxbridge, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Queen’s University
BC Rugby
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