The new head coach of Canada Sevens, Jocelyn Barrieau, has announced her squad to compete in the first round of the SVNS World Series in Dubai, starting on 30 November. It is:
4. Breanne Nicholas (Kent Havoc RFC)
8. Carmen Izyk (RC Toulon Provence Méditerranée)
11. Piper Logan (Calgary Hornets and UCB)
17. Camille Arvin-Bérod (Montreal Irish and Lons Section Paloise)
19. Carissa Norsten (Kirin RFC and University of Victoria)
20. Maya Addai (Westshore RFC and University of Victoria)
21. Adia Pye (Castaway Wanderers)
23. Shalaya Valenzuela (Abbotsford RFC)
24. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto Nomads and Westshore RFC)
25. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (Counties Manukau)
26. Savannah Bauder (UCB)
29. Mahalia Robinson (Town of Mount Royal RFC)
55. Monique Coffey (Scion Sirens)
99. Pamphinette Buisa (Ottawa Irish)
Their first-day opponents will be Japan, Brazil and New Zealand.
Only four of the squad were in the Olympic silver-medal winning squad: Piper Logan, Carissa Norsten, Asia Hogan-Rochester and Shalaya Valenzuela. But Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Pamphinette Buisa and Hogan-Rochester all played for the XV’s team that came second in the latest WXV tournament in Vancouver.
Savannah Bauder, Adia Pye and Valenzuela all play for the UCB’s Thunderbirds, who won the gold medal at the University Sports. Maya Adda won a silver medal at the same championships for the Vikes of the University of Victoria.
Barrieau became the assistant coach last May, then took on full responsibilities after the Olympics. Her challenge now is to maintain the high standards the team achieved in Paris. Jack Hanratty, her predecessor, is to take on a new role in 2025 as Head Coach of the University of Ottawa’s women’s rugby team.
The second round of the World Series takes the squad to Cape Town; dates 7-8 December.
YAs usual, they operate out of Langford, British Columbia, which is becoming an increasingly important HQ for Canada Rugby, focusing Sevens and Fifteens’ talent in one place for as long as possible.
