Medals awarded in Women’s Rugby Sevens for first time in Canada Summer Games history

Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were awarded in Women’s Rugby Sevens for the first time in Canada Summer Games history on Wednesday as the event concluded at Brock University’s Alumni Field in St Catharines, Ontario.

Men’s Rugby 15s was part of the Canada Summer Games program in 1981, 1985 and from 1993 to 2009, but the 2022 event marked the inaugural year for Women’s Rugby Sevens.

Finishing on the podium at the close of play, a jubilant Team British Columbia were triumphant in the Gold medal game, as Quebec claimed Silver and Ontario earned the Bronze.

The day began with the quarter-finals as Quebec scored a 26-15 win over Alberta to secure a semi-finals matchup against Nova Scotia, who pre-qualified for the final four as Pool B winners. Next, Ontario came from behind to beat PEI 24-12 to setup a clash with British Columbia, who also qualified automatically having gone unbeaten to top Pool A.

In the semi-finals, Quebec won a fiercely-contested clash with Nova Scotia 17-12 to confirm their participation in the Gold medal game. British Columbia then defeated Ontario 22-7 to seal their place in the final.

Before the tournament champions could be crowned, the Bronze medal match was played between the two losing semi-finalists. A hard-fought encounter, in which the lead kept changing hands, was decided by an overtime Vic Stanley try as Ontario claimed third place with a 20-15 victory.

In the Gold medal game, British Columbia kept their perfect record intact as they produced a comprehensive performance against Quebec to seal a 38-0 win and first place in the final standings.

“To finish with the Gold medal is such a phenomenal feeling,” said British Columbia coach Darcy Patterson. “They deserved it all throughout the tournament but you’re never sure if it’s going to happen. So, to be able to win and go 6-0 was pretty special and I’m very proud of the group. To be able to compete against all the different provinces – what a great experience that has been. And the opportunity to showcase Sevens again has been so fun.”

“I don’t know if I have words for this feeling,” commented Quebec coach Jocelyn Barrieau. “I just watched the three medalists dance and celebrate together. I know that rugby is in a good spot in this country and this competition has done a lot for our game and I’ll be grateful for that for a long time.”

“It was absolutely fantastic [to come away with the Bronze medal],” said Ontario coach Ian Fitzgerald. “Both teams battled to the final whistle of regular time. Vic [Stanley] has been a standout for us the last two days. She really broke through yesterday with that hat-trick try and comes away with the game-winner there, which is awesome. The Canada Summer Games have been fantastic – I love the parity throughout the entire tournament. We didn’t have one easy game so I really liked the format that Rugby Canada and the Canada Summer Games have gone with.”

Elsewhere in the competition, Alberta won the 5th-place playoff as they beat PEI. Saskatchewan beat New Brunswick in the 7th-place playoff, and Newfoundland and Labrador finished 9th after overcoming Manitoba in the 9th-place playoff.

Click here to see our day one recap and click here to read about how day two unfolded. See all of the results from all three days of action and the final standings by clicking here.