BC Rugby – The young but level-headed team will represent BC in Saskatoon later this month.

Vancouver, BC – July 3, 2018: BC Rugby is delighted to announce the 2018 U20 Women’s XV squad. The team will compete in the Canadian Rugby Championships (CRC), to be held in Saskatoon, SK, on July 16-22.  The tournament is the pinnacle of women’s XVs rugby in Canada, bringing together top talent across the provinces.

The team sheet has a distinct core of players who were part of the successful BC Rugby Girls’ U18 tour to Ireland last summer, with a dozen from that travelling side returning to pull on BC colours once again.  This is further complemented by three athletes who have already had the honour of playing in the red and white of the Maple Leaf kit, Rori Wood (Sooke), Shaye Tudor (Victoria) and Berlyn Seselja (Surrey).  This combination of familiarity between teammates and the extra dash of experience competing at national levels should stand the team in good stead as they prepare to face a stiff challenge from the other provinces.

Head Coach Walt Brandl announced the team of 24 players with confidence, noting “Although only 5 of the players return from last year’s U20 team, they have quickly developed a good chemistry.  This will serve us well in the pressure of a national tournament and speaks to the strong character of the individuals selected.”  Brindl is optimistic about the team’s chances at the CRC event in Saskatoon, commenting “With a stronger tight five than previous years, we will be able to win more possession. This, combined with improved team speed should open up plenty of scoring opportunities.” There was no official CRC tournament held for the U20 Women in 2017, with the BC team playing some standalone matches against Prairie Wolfpack.  As a result, there is a lot of excitement and anticipation to see what each of the Provinces brings to the table in Saskatoon.

The Canadian Rugby Championships U20 Women’s tournament will take place between July 16-22 at Saskatoon Rugby Club and will see BC U20 Women facing off against Ontario Blues, Prairie Wolf Pack, Équipe Quebec and Nova Scotia Keltics.  For more details, visit the CRC website.

BC U20 Women’s Canadian Rugby Championship Schedule:

July 16, 4pm CST/3pm PT – BC vs. Ontario Blues
July 18, 4pm CST/3pm PT – BC vs. Prairie Wolfpack
July 21, 4pm CST/3pm PT – BC vs. Équipe Quebec
July 22, 12pm CST/11am PT – BC vs. Nova Scotia

BC Rugby U20 Women’s XV Team Roster:

Mackenzie Adam – Bayside Sharks RFC (Surrey, BC)
Lyric Atchison – UBC Thunderbirds (North Vancouver, BC)
Maddie Avery – McGill University (Kamloops, BC)
Kate Bagshaw – Bayside Sharks RFC (White Rock, BC)
Emily Baker – UBC Thunderbirds (Vancouver, BC)
Grace Campbell – Kamloops RC (Kamloops, BC)
Rachel Choboter – UBC Thunderbirds (Langley, BC)
Louise Eriksson – Castaway Wanderers RFC (Denman Island, BC)
Faith Fitzpatrick – Ridge Meadows RFC (Maple Ridge, BC)
Erin Geddie – University of Alberta (Victoria, BC)
Simran Gillar – Brit Lions RFC (Surrey, BC)
Syan Johnson – York University (Duncan, BC)
Vivianna Johnson – Abbotsford RFC (Misson, BC)
Sarah Klok – UBC Thunderbirds (Abbotsford, BC)
Madi MacLeod – Vancouver Rowing Club (Vancouver, BC)
Carmen Manuel – Meraloma RC (Vancouver, BC)
Berlyn Seselja – Bayside Sharks RFC (Surrey, BC)
Jody Siemens – University of Alberta (Houston, BC)
Ashlynn Smith – Abbotsford RFC (Abbotsford, BC)
Shaye Tudor – UVic Vikes (Victoria, BC)
Shalaya Valenzuela – Abbotsford RFC (Abbotsford, BC)
Shaira Venegas – UBCO Heat (Surrey, BC)
Tess Woldring – Burnaby Lake RC (Burnaby, BC)
Rori Wood – Westshore RFC (Sooke, BC)

Team Staff

Head Coach – Walt Brandl
Assistant Coach – Corrine Jacobson
Manager – Haley Glendinning
Medical Staff – Melissa Wirsching

More information about BC Rugby

The British Columbia Rugby Union, commonly known as BC Rugby, is the governing body for Rugby in British Columbia and is a Provincial Union of Rugby Canada, the national governing body. Representing over 7,500 individuals registered through around 60 Member Clubs and Associations across the Province, BC Rugby leads and manages the sport with the aim to grow participation and develop excellence in all games of Rugby and in all facets of the sport.

Web: bcrugby.com

Twitter: twitter.com/bcrugbyunion

Facebook: facebook.com/bcrugbyunion