LANGFORD, BC (August 29, 2018) –Rugby Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee nominated the 12-player roster to represent Team Canada at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina October 13-15.
With files from Bryan Kelly, Rugby Canada Communications. Pictured: Kendra Cousineau scores a try for the Ontario Jr. Blues in the U18 7s National Championship Game at BC Place in March 2018.
Canada qualified for the tournament through winning the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association competition in Las Vegas in March, defeating USA in the gold-medal final at Sam Boyd Stadium.
“Many of the selected athletes have international experience, playing at Youth Commonwealth Games, Youth Olympic Games qualifiers and Under-18 National Team for 15s in the past for Canada,” said Team Canada head coach Sandro Fiorino.
In Buenos Aires, Canada will face Japan, France, New Zealand, Tunisia and Columbia in the round-robin stages. Following those five matches the six countries will be re-seeded based on results to decide the final round with medal opportunities on the line.
"With limited time together on the ground, the team will focus as one on getting better each game and building some momentum. If all goes to plan the team will aim to get to a podium opportunity,” added Fiorino.
In Beijing, China in 2014, at Rugby Sevens’ inaugural appearance in the competition, Canada won a historic silver-medal with a loss to Australia in the Gold Medal final at the Youth Olympic Sports Park in Nanjing.
“YOG is a pathway event, that will expose this group to future opportunities on the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series, Pan-American Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games,” said Fiorino. “Anytime, you can have young athletes in a multisport event, the experiences are invaluable. Being in the village, with all the other athletes from around the world gives them a taste of what is possible.”
Three members of Canada’s 2014 silver-medal winning team – Hannah Darling, Charity Williams and Pam Buisa – have all represented Canada on the World Series, while Darling and Williams also won bronze medals at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The 12 athletes and staff are set to depart Toronto on October 3rd, arriving October 4thahead of the Opening Ceremony with the rest of Team Canada on October 6th. Similar to the Summer Olympics, the youth tournament will also see competition split over three two-match game days October 13-15.
Rugby Canada Director of Rugby Sevens, Meaghan Howat:
“I am happy for all the athletes to have the opportunity to attend a Youth Olympic Games and especially knowing the work each athlete and the coaching staff has put in to prepare for the event. Whether training out in Langford with the senior program and Belmont Academy or the Sevens Academy in Ontario they have all put a lot of work in over the past year and through qualification in Las Vegas. To know that many of these athletes will continue to pursue rugby and represent our senior programs is truly very exciting.”
Chairman of the Rugby Canada Board, Tim Powers:
"On behalf of the Rugby Canada Board of Directors, I'd like to congratulate the athletes selected to represent Canada in October at the Youth Olympic Games. Enjoy the once in a lifetime opportunity and know that the entire country is behind you!"
Rugby Canada Chief Executive Officer, Allen Vansen:
"As we've seen from the Olympic Games in 2016, Pan-American Games in 2015 and the Commonwealth Games in 2018, multi-sport games are an exciting opportunity to showcase the excitement, success and recent growth of Rugby Sevens in Canada. I'd like to wish the 12 athletes & staff selected all the best in Buenos Aires!"
Canada roster for 2018 Youth Olympic Games:
Delaney Aikens – Rogues Rugby Club (Hearne, SK)
Taylor Black - Oakville Crusaders (Oakville, ON)
Kendra Cousineau - Niagara Wasps (Port Colborne, ON)
Hunter Czeppel – ARFC (Abbotsford, BC)
Olivia De Couvreur - Ottawa Irish (Ottawa, ON)
Brooklynn Feasby - Oshawa Vikings (Port Perry, ON)
Lizzie Gibson – Oakville Crusaders (Caledon, ON)
Madison Grant - Cornwall Claymores (Cornwall, ON)
Carmen Izyk - Foothills Lions RC (High River, AB)
Aleisha Lewis - Guelph Redcoats (Guelph, ON)
Maggie Mackinnon – Unattached (Sooke, BC)
Keyara Wardley - Okotoks Lions (Vulcan, AB)
Non-Travelling Reserves:
Bethany Cudmore
Bridget Peros
Kally King
Brogan Mior
Piper Logan
Maggie Banks
Important Dates:
October 3 – Canada depart for Argentina
October 6 – Opening Ceremony
October 13 – Day 1 of competition
October 14 – Day 2 of competition
October 15 – Day 3 of competition
October 18 – Closing Ceremony
