Paige Farries: A key Winger in Rugby Canada’s WXV squad

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WXV1 Rugby - England v Canada on Friday

Paige Farries, is a winger/outside back who represents Canada, and is originally from Red Deer, Alberta. However, she now lives in Vancouver Island, which is also where the Rugby Canada headquarters are in Greater Victoria, at Langford.

Farries was born on August 12, 1994, and stands 5 foot 9 inches, a good height for an International class outside back.

Rugby Canada’s quick and nimble winger: Paige Farries

Childhood

Farries childhood started with the sport of lacrosse. Her brothers used to play lacrosse in elementary school, which resulted her in getting attracted to the sport of lacrosse, which her parents were supportive of, but that she had to play with the boys as there were no girls teams (source: BVM Sports).

However, when she got older and got to grade 11, Farries found it difficult to keep up with the boys (source: BVM Sports):

“Compete with the size and the physicality that [the boys] were bringing.” While she wondered what to do next, her high school’s rugby director asked, “‘How would you feel about coming out for the girls’ rugby team?’” So, Paige decided to give it a try: “‘It’s not like it’s going to define the rest of my life,’” she thought, but “then it did.”

She would later on say this (source: BVM Sports):

It’s the “best sport in the world,” Paige said, no matter your size or skillset, “there’s a spot for you on the pitch.” And “it’s not just the fun that you have whistle to whistle,” she explained, “If you play rugby, it ties you into this ginormous, global community.”

She would then play for the Titans Rugby Club before turning 18 and also joined the Wild Rose Academy, which got her the chance to play at the Alberta Rugby Team and the University of Alberta.

Time at University of Alberta and Tryout for Alberta Rugby team

Farries experienced her first set-back by not making the Alberta Rugby team, this is what Parries said about the set-back (source: Rugby Canada):

“I actually got cut and that was a really, really hard blow,” Farries explained. “All of my friends had made the Rugby Alberta team, my twin brother made the boys’ Rugby Alberta team. I could have gone either direction there – I could have decided it wasn’t for me.”

She never gave up though and got her chance to play for the Canada U20s and very quickly the Women’s senior team, the Canadian Sevens (source: Rugby Canada), thanks to her success with the University of Alberta Pandas (source: Rugby Canada):

“I got given an opportunity, grabbed it with both hands and had a good university season which led to me being selected for Canada U20s,” Farries said. “I had the time of my life on the U20 tour. Through university and U20, I got selected for the Canadian Sevens team. It all happened very quickly – 18 months after I started playing rugby, I was playing in a Canada shirt. I was very, very fortunate I got given some opportunities and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.”

Parries would then transfer to Western University in London, Ontario before playing her final three years In British Columbia at the University of Victoria to finish off her biology degree (University of Victoria Varsity Athletics). Since then, Parries has lived in Vancouver Island.

READ MORE:

Paige Farries: Her impact on the national team (2017-Present)

Farries made her debut with the national team back in 2017. She has made an important impact on the national team. For example, last year, just before the 2021 Rugby World Cup in 2022, she scored a try against Italy and two tries against Wales. In both games, Canada ended up winning them.

Then, in the 2021 Rugby World Cup, Farries made her name known on the biggest stage. She scored four tries in the competition and showed her speed and agility, including in all of their Pool games and also in the key quarterfinal game against the U.S. where she scored four tries. Farries almost scored a fifth try of the tournament in the semi-final loss to England in the 2021 Rugby World Cup.

In the pool stage game against the U.S., for example, Brian Spanton said that Farries had “55” carry metres in the first half alone.

READ MORE: Rugby Canada’s veteran lock: Tyson Beukeboom

Paige Farries: Worcester Warriors Women (2020-Present)

Farries has been with the Worcester Warriors since 2020. Farries has had a lot of success with the Warriors. She scored five tries in her opening season in the Premier 15s league for the Warriors. This is what then, Warriors Director of Rugby, Jo Yapp, said about the news (source: University of Victoria Varsity Athletics):

“I have seen Paige progress on the international stage over the past few seasons and have been fortunate to meet her when she was in the United Kingdom,” said Warriors Director of Rugby Coach Jo Yapp. “She is hard working and has developed into a great finisher. Her performances against New Zealand and England last summer showed how much potential she has.”

Farries continued to make her presence known for her club team in the most recent English season. She scored seven tries in the 2022/23 season as well as three tries in 2021/22 Premier 15s season. Unfortunately, for Farries, the Worcester Warriors Women’s team has pulled out of the 2023-24 season.

This is what Cube founder, Andy Moss, said about the Worcester Warriors women’s squads’ decision (source: BBC)

“Despite our best efforts we have had to make the emotionally challenging decision to withdraw from the league. We have confirmed to players and coaching staff that we will honour their salaries and expenses for September and October.”

READ MORE: Rugby Canada women’s WXV 1 competition starts this week

Still, Farries still has a lot to forward to with the WXV 1 competition happening right now. She also scored one of the tries in a losing effort against the England Red Roses early Friday morning ET.

Paige Farries: Teamwork and game coming up against England

Farries is also a good teammate who enjoys working together towards a common goal. This is what she said about playing for the Canadian women’s rugby union team (source: Rugby Canada):

“We’re literally driven by the love and passion for Canadian rugby and it’s so huge how much time we’ve gotten to spend together and it’s made such a big difference to learn the nuances of everyone, how they communicate, how they run lines. You can’t replace spending time with your teammates on or off the pitch. It’s been amazing to spend so much time together.”

READ MORE: 2022 Rugby Canada women’s team review: The nation made proud

Canada’s next game will be against France on November 4 at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. The Canadians have faced the English three times before, including in the 2021 Rugby World Cup last year. That game will be shown at 11 PM ET on November 4, 2023 in Canada, and it will likely be shown on TSN (source: WXV Rugby).

 

“Main photo credit courtesy of Dave Lintott / lintottphoto.co.nz of Rugby Canada on October 27, 2023.”

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