Next generation of Canadian men’s sevens players set to compete in LA Sevens Invitational
Rugby 7s
Twelve Canadian players from Western Canada will be in Los Angeles this weekend to compete in the Men’s Elite Division of the Los Angeles Invitational Sevens tournament, the first of two opportunities in 2023 for up-and-coming players to show their skills against high-level competition from around the world.
February 24, 2023 (Los Angeles, CA) – Twelve Canadian players from Western Canada will be in Los Angeles this weekend to compete in the Men’s Elite Division of the Los Angeles Invitational Sevens tournament, the first of two opportunities in 2023 for up-and-coming players to show their skills against high-level competition from around the world.
Canada's roster includes Brennig Prevost and Anton Ngongo, who both have experience with Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team. Also on the squad are Pacific Pride players Max Stewart, AJ Kosempel, Zephyr Melnyk, Callum Botcher and recent MLR draft pick by the Dallas Jackals, Ethan Hager. Players Cole Keffer, Jordan Ng, Jared Andrews-Almack, Mostyn Findlay and Christian Coppin feature on the roster as well. The team will be coached by Nigel D’Acre.
“There is a large pool of talented players in Canada, and tournaments like the LA Sevens Invitational are valuable high performance opportunities both for our own scouting and for player development,” said Sean White, Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team interim Head Coach. “We have many examples of players now representing Canada on the World Rugby Sevens Series who benefitted from similar opportunities. I am greatly looking forward to continuing to get to know and work with our next generation of men’s sevens players.”
This group of aspiring Western Canadian rugby players will be competing against development squads from Japan, USA, and France, providing a significant opportunity for Rugby Canada’s high performance staff to continue to evaluate and develop the players looking to one day reach Canada’s top team.
Canada’s development squad will play their matches on February 24 and 25 on the outer fields at Dignity Health Sports Park as part of the official amateur rugby tournament associated with HSBC LA Sevens.
Following the conclusion of HSBC Canada Sevens in Vancouver on March 3-5, Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team interim Head Coach Sean White will travel to Toronto for an identification camp to help select a roster comprised of players from Eastern Canada to compete at Tropical Sevens in Tampa, Florida on April 7 and 8. The roster for this tournament will be announced closer to start of the event.
Roster for LA Sevens Invitational Men’s Elite 7s Division
1. Cole Keffer (UBCOB)
2. Jordan Ng (Castaway Wanderers/Oakville Crusaders)
3. Max Stewart (Pacific Pride)
4. Jared Andrews-Almack (UBC)
5. Ethan Hager (University of Victoria)
6. Brennig Prevost (Castaway Wanderers)
7. Anton Ngongo (Castaway Wanderers)
8. Mostyn Findlay (James Bay/Regina Rogues)
9. Christian Coppin (Upright Rogues)
10. AJ Kosempel (Pacific Pride/Laurier)
11. Zephyr Melnyk (Pacific Pride/Nanaimo Hornets)
12. Callum Botchar (Pacific Pride/UBC)
More information on the LA Sevens Invitational, including scores and schedule, can be found here.