Canadian Women’s Sevens squad looking to end the season strong, secure their place at the 2020 Olympic Summer Games

13/06/2019

Rugby 7s Senior Women

The sixth and final stop of the 2018-19 HSBC Women’s Sevens Series will wrap this weekend in Biarritz, France. While the Canadian women will be looking for another tournament win to add to their victory in Kitakyushu, Japan earlier this spring, they are also looking to punch their ticket to Tokyo 2020.

The Canadian Women’s Sevens team currently sits third in the overall series standings with 78 points, behind New Zealand (92 points), and USA (80 points). The top 4 nations at the conclusion of the 2018-19 HSBC Women’s Sevens Series automatically secure their qualification to the 2020 Olympic Summer Games.

“The competition has gotten a lot tougher this year and there are no easy games anymore. We’ve worked hard to meet that challenge at every series stop, being consistent in our play all season,” said Head Coach, John Tait.

Four years ago in Rio sevens was introduced to the Olympic sport program, and Canadian women served notice that they were among the best sevens teams in the world. They brought home an Olympic bronze medal and made Canadian rugby history by winning the first-ever Olympic medal for Canada in the sport of rugby.

“It’s always an honour to represent your country on the world stage and the 2016 Olympic Games was new territory for all of us,” said Ghislaine Landry, Captain of the Canadian women’s team. “This team keeps putting in the work and getting stronger both on and off the field. We’ll be giving it everything we have to get back onto that podium next summer in Tokyo.”

Since their bronze medal performance in Rio in 2016, the Canadian women’s squad has undergone some change with the retirement of impact players like Kelly Russell, Ashley Steacy, and former team captain, Jen Kish. The team has remained among the best in the world on the HSBC Sevens Series leader board, and continues to boast world-class players like veterans Kayla Moleschi, Bianca Farella, and team Captain and all-time highest point scorer on the circuit, Ghislaine Landry.

“We set a goal at the beginning of this season to finish top four in every tournament and this last stop is no different,” continued Tait. “We're looking to end the season on a high note with some good performances. Olympic qualification will be a great reward to end the series with.”

Canada’s Biarritz campaign kicks off this Saturday, June 15th against Spain at 6:30am ET/ 3:30am PT.

FULL SCHEDULE

The HSBC Women’s Sevens Series will be streamed LIVE cbcsports.ca with in-game updates on the World Rugby 7s Match Centre. Follow @cbcsports on Twitter and Instagram for any broadcast updates.

Canada's Roster

1. Britt Benn, Guelph Redcoats (Napanee, ON)

2. Emma Chown, Aurora Barbarians (Barrie, ON)

3. Caroline Crossley, Castaway Wanderers (Victoria, BC)

4. Bianca Farella, Town of Mount Royal RCF (Montreal, QC)

5. Julia Greenshields, Sarnia Saints (Sarnia, ON)

6. Sara Kaljuvee, Toronto Scottish (Ajax, ON)

7. Ghislaine Landry, Toronto Scottish (Toronto, ON)

8. Kaili Lukan, Unattached (Barrie, ON)

9. Kayla Moleschi, Williams Lake Rustlers (Williams Lake, BC)

10. Breanne Nicholas, London St. Georges RFC (Blenheim, ON)

11. Karen Paquin, Castaway Wanderers / CRQ (Quebec City, QC)