Exciting news in the world of women’s rugby as Rugby Canada announce that Women’s International Rugby will make its debut at the Canadian Rugby Centre of Excellence in Langford, BC this April. Canada’s Senior Women’s Fifteens Team will face off against the USA in a two-game series on April 15 and 19, with the first game at Shawnigan Lake School – the premier sponsor of the series – and the latter at the home of Canadian Rugby.
Rugby Canada and USA Rugby have both run the press release stating the two-game ‘Can-Am’ series will be an opportunity to showcase women’s rugby in Canada. This will be a chance for them to highlight their talent and skills to friends, family, fans and sponsors in preparation for the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup in August in Paris.
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“It’s exciting for us to play in front of our friends, family and supporters and we always have close games against the USA so it should be a great series,” said Kelly Russell, Captain of Canada’s Women’s Fifteens Team.
Although the members of the Senior Women’s Fifteens squad are not all centralized athletes, those of them who play on Canada’s Women’s Sevens team, including Russell, live and train daily out of Langford at the COE and the Pacific Institute for Sporting Excellence (PISE).
“We owe Shawnigan Lake School, PISE and Langford a huge thanks for everything they have provided and their support for Rugby Canada. We are building up to the World Cup and we couldn’t do it without the facilities that are provided for us,” said the Bolton, Ontario native.
The women are heading into the World Cup in August so the team is utilizing every fixture, including the Can-Am series and a tour to New Zealand in June, as a chance to develop and prepare.
“2014 is a busy and exciting year for Rugby Canada’s Women’s Fifteens Team and we’re looking forward to the competition that the USA will bring and the opportunity to play in Canada,” said Francois Ratier, head coach of Canada.
To further ass to the excitement of the announcement Rugby Canada also state the games will be streamed live, to enable world wide fans to tune in and support this game. More details about this will be made available when they come to hand.
This will be a great opportunity to see women’s rugby at its finest. The Canadian team and the US Team both have a huge depth of talent that play with passion and pride in their jersey. They really personify the sense of family that rugby brings, as well as showing the world a physicality and stamina unrivaled in sport.
Rugby Canada would like to thank Shawnigan Lake School for being the series official sponsors and the City of Langford for all of its help and support. Their contributions have given the Women’s team a chance to excel and the opportunity for women’s rugby to grow in Canada.
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Main Photo Credit: Judy Teasdale via Flickr
