Canadian Women's Sevens Team Heads to Perth with New Additions and High Hopes

Canadian Women's Sevens Team Heads to Perth with New Additions

The Canadian women's rugby sevens team is set to depart for Australia later today, boosted by the return of veteran players Olivia Apps and Florence Symonds. Coach Jocelyn Barrieau has included two newcomers, Olivia Sarabura and Larah Wright, in her 14-player traveling roster.

Barrieau faces the challenge of integrating new players while managing the club commitments of existing players, especially at the start of a new four-year cycle. "We want the best players to be able to play," she said, acknowledging the increasing opportunities for Canadian players to play professionally. "We want to encourage that balance and that ability to do both."

In Perth, Canada will face Britain, Fiji, and the U.S. in Pool B. The Canadians currently sit seventh in the overall standings after finishing eighth in Dubai and fifth in Cape Town.

Apps, the former sevens captain, returns after representing Canada in the WXV tournament in Vancouver. Symonds spent the fall with the University of British Columbia, helping them win their first-ever U Sports rugby 15s championship. Apps will serve as vice-captain, with Piper Logan continuing as skipper.

Sarabura, named MVP of the sevens nationals last year, was also a member of UBC's victorious team. Wright, who helped Canada win silver at the 2024 FISU World University Championship, played for the University of Victoria. "They're two players who have a very bright future," said Barrieau. "Now is a great time to get them into a Canadian jersey and see how far they can get in this pathway."

The early departure allows the Canadians nearly two weeks of training in Australia. After Perth, the teams head to Vancouver for the fourth stop of the season. The circuit then moves to Hong Kong and Singapore before wrapping up in Carson, California.

The Singapore event will crown the SVNS season winners before the top eight men's and women's teams compete in the winner-takes-all world championship in California.