Sophie de Goede confirmed, Phil Berna to make 50th appearance, as Canada announces HSBC SVNS Vancouver rosters

The Canadian squads that will compete on home soil at HSBC SVNS Vancouver over February 23 to 25 have been announced by Head Coaches Jack Hanratty and Sean White, with Sophie de Goede making her return to sevens and Vancouver’s Phil Berna set to play in his 50th world series tournament.  

The captain of Canada’s Women’s Rugby (15s) Team, current Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby points leader, and 2022 World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year nominee, Sophie de Goede made her international sevens series debut last May at HSBC France Sevens and helped Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics in August in Langford.  

Piper Logan returns to the Canadian lineup after recovering from an injury, having last played in Cape Town in December. The 2024 HSBC SVNS Vancouver event will mark the second year of concurrently held women’s and men’s tournaments at BC Place, with it being the first time competing at an international sevens event in Vancouver for de Goede, Charity Williams, Caroline Crossley, and Carissa Norsten. Olivia Apps will captain the team.  

“The Canadian world series stop is one that we always look forward to, and our team is excited to step back onto the field at BC Place and put on a performance to be proud of in front of a great home crowd,” said Jack Hanratty, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team. “Every single player in our program, regardless of if they are named to a roster or not, has been putting in the work to help the team perform and build towards the Olympics. We have had a great, competitive training block since returning from Perth and will have some opportunities to continue our preparation alongside France, New Zealand and Japan in the final week leading up to Vancouver.” 

HSBC SVNS Vancouver will mark the 50th world series tournament for captain Phil Berna, who will reach this milestone in his hometown. Debuting for Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team in 2016, Berna has played for St. George’s School, the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Rowing Club.  

Noah Flesch, a former Pacific Pride player who joined Canada’s men’s sevens program in January, is set to make his international sevens debut. Returning to the roster are Elias Hancock, who contributed to Canada’s bronze medal Pan American Games performance in the fall, and Alex Russell, who returns after sustaining an injury in Dubai. This will be the first time competing at an international sevens event in Vancouver for Flesch, Ethan Hager, Max Stewart, and Cody Nhanala. 

“As a group we are excited for our next opportunity to be on home soil in front of family and friends. Vancouver Sevens is always a highlight of the year for our players and this year is no exception,” said Sean White, Head Coach of Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team. “We’re honoured to be able to celebrate 50 SVNS tournaments for Phil Berna and the first for Noah Flesch. I was lucky enough to play alongside Phil at his first so to be able to share his 50th with him from the other side of the touchline will make for a special occasion. 

“Coming out of Perth, we’ve really looked to tap into our core values as a team. Whenever you lose key leaders to injury and incorporate new members into the squad, you must adapt and overcome. Our new additions to the team in January and February have done just that. They’ve challenged our process and tested our systems and through this our team has grown. Now comes the fun part, to put our processes and systems under the ultimate test: Vancouver Sevens. Home crowd. Endless energy. Loudest fans on the circuit. Nothing better.” 

CANADA’S WOMEN’S SEVENS ROSTER 

4. Breanne Nicholas (Blenheim, ON) – Kent Havoc RFC 
6. Charity Williams (Toronto, ON) - Markham Irish  
7. Florence Symonds (Hong Kong) - University of British Columbia 
10. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) - NorWester Athletic Association / Westshore RFC 
11. Piper Logan (Calgary, AB) - Calgary Hornets / University of British Columbia 
13. Krissy Scurfield (Canmore, AB) - University of Victoria 
15. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) - Castaway Wanderers RFC / Saracens  
16. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) - CRFC 
19. Carissa Norsten (Waldheim, SK) - Kirin RFC / University of Victoria 
21. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) - Lindsay RFC 
24. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) - Toronto Nomads RFC 
35. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) - Castaway Wanderers 
77. Chloe Daniels (Sutton, ON) - Aurora Barbarians / Queen’s University 

CANADA’S MEN’S SEVENS ROSTER 

4. Phil Berna (Vancouver, BC) - Vancouver Rowing Club 
5. Alex Russell (Chichester, ENG) - McGill University 
6. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) - Castaway Wanderers / Toronto Saracens 
12. David Richard (Milton, ON) - Mississauga Blues RFC 
15. Ethan Hager (Brantford, ON) - Brantford Harlequins 
21. Max Stewart (Cape Town, RSA) – Pacific Pride 
23. Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) - Foothills Lions RFC 
33. Kal Sager (Peterborough, ON) - Peterborough Pagans / Trent University 
59. Cody Nhanala (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Ospreys / Pacific Pride 
64. Elias Hancock (Ottawa, ON) - Bytown Blues 
77. Noah Flesch (Cobourg, ON) - Cobourg Saxons / Pacific Pride 
88. Matt Percillier (Victoria, BC) – University of British Columbia 
99. Jack Carson (Victoria, BC) - University of British Columbia 

BUY TICKETS NOW 

Tournament passes and single day tickets are available for purchase at vansevens.com, with limited numbers of Reserved Seating passes and Saturday single day tickets remaining. To purchase tickets, and for further details on all ticket types and event information, please visit vansevens.com.  

Questions regarding ticket purchases can be directed to tickets@vansevens.com or 604-355-5330. For more information on suites, please contact suites@vansevens.com. Please note that these inboxes will be monitored during regular office hours, Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm PT.  

VANCOUVER POOL PLAY SCHEDULE 

Friday February 23 

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs France 
12:58pm PT / 3:58pm ET 

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Argentina 
3:42pm PT / 6:42pm ET 

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs Great Britain 
6:14pm PT / 9:14pm ET 

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Fiji 
8:24pm PT / 11:24pm ET 

Saturday February 24 

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs Spain 
11:43am PT / 2:43pm ET 

Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Spain 
2:11pm PT / 5:11pm ET 

MORE INFO 

For the most up to date information on the HSBC SVNS Series and live coverage, including details on the event format, the schedule and the latest news, visit the official website: www.svns.com.