Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team roster named for Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team is back in action this month for the first time since HSBC SVNS Vancouver, with the squad set to represent Canada at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens announced today by Head Coach Jocelyn Barrieau. 

The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, the fifth leg of the 2025 HSBC SVNS series, will take place March 28 to 30 at the new Kai Tak Sports Park, with Canada taking on Japan, Australia and Spain in Pool C. 

Fourteen players will travel to Hong Kong, with 13 declared for the final tournament roster ahead of competition. 

“We have continued to work closely with Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team Head Coach Kevin Rouet and to embody and live our One Squad philosophy throughout the selection process as our programs and players prepare for the remaining SVNS stops and the Pacific Four Series,” said Jocelyn Barrieau, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team. “We are excited to keep building on the foundations of our performances this season. We will continue to support all of our teams and players in this monumental year for women’s rugby in Canada, and look forward to seeing the return of multiple players to the international sevens stage in the brand-new Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.” 

Taylor Perry returns to Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team for the first time since winning silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics, having spent this past season in the PWR with the Exeter Chiefs. Perry’s Exeter Chiefs teammate Sabrina Poulin makes her return to sevens as well, having last competed on the SVNS series in Hong Kong last April. 

Following HSBC SVNS Perth, Carmen Izyk returned to her Élite 2 Féminine team in France, Rugby Club Toulon Provence Méditerranée, and now makes the switch back to the Canadian national team. 

Eden Kilgour, who competed with Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team at the PR7s All-Star Tournament in November and last appeared on the SVNS series in Singapore last year, has been named to the squad as well. 

Two RBC Training Ground players could make their SVNS series debut. Julia Omokhuale, who earned her first cap for Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team at WXV in 2023, has spent the season in the PWR with Leicester Tigers. Vanessa Chiappetta, a standout University of Victoria player, is also a 2024 FISU World University Championship silver medallist. 

Olivia Apps will captain the team and has the opportunity to surpass 300 career SVNS series points in Hong Kong, currently holding 296. 

HONG KONG POOL PLAY SCHEDULE 

Friday March 28 
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs Japan 
7:30pm PT (March 27) / 10:30pm ET (March 27) / 10:30am local time 
Watch live on TSN+ 

Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs Australia 
10:57pm PT (March 27) / 1:57am ET / 1:57pm local time 
Watch live on TSN+ 

Saturday March 29 
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs Spain 
6:30pm PT (March 28) / 9:30pm ET (March 28) / 9:30am local time 
Watch live on TSN+ 

Following the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team will travel to the penultimate 2025 HSBC SVNS stop in Singapore (April 5 to 6). Any roster changes heading into Singapore will be announced on Rugby Canada’s social media channels following Hong Kong. World Rugby will announce the pools and schedule for Singapore following the conclusion of Hong Kong also. 

All Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and HSBC SVNS Singapore matches will be available live on TSN+. 

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.   

CANADA’S WOMEN’S SEVENS TEAM ROSTER 

3. Vanessa Chiappetta (Rigaud, QC) - University of Victoria / Westshore RFC 
4. Breanne Nicholas (Blenheim, ON) - Kent Havoc RFC  
6. Charity Williams (Toronto, ON) - Markham Irish / University of British Columbia  
7. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) - University of British Columbia  
8. Carmen Izyk (High River, AB) - Foothills Lions / Queen’s University / RCTPM 
9. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) - Lindsay RFC 
10. Fancy Bermudez (Edmonton, AB) - NorWester Athletic Association / Westshore RFC / Saracens 
14. Eden Kilgour (Barrie, ON) - Westshore RFC 
18. Julia Omokhuale (Calgary, AB) - Calgary Irish / Leicester Tigers 
19. Carissa Norsten (Waldheim, SK) - Kirin RFC / University of Victoria 
22. Sabrina Poulin (St-Georges, QC) - Town of Mount Royal RFC / Exeter Chiefs 
27. Olivia Sarabura (Guelph, ON) - University of British Columbia   
29. Mahalia Robinson (Fulford, QC) - Town of Mount Royal RFC 
40. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) - Oakville Crusaders / Exeter Chiefs