VICTORIA - University of Victoria women's rugby head coach Brittany Waters returns to team Canada, joining the senior women's sevens program as an assistant coach alongside interim head coach Jack Hanratty.

 

In her seventh season as head coach of the Vikes women's program, Waters says joining Rugby Canada sevens in an assistant capacity is a great way to continue to develop as a coach, bringing back those learning to the Vikes, building on previous success.

The women's sevens team will assemble for training in Langford, ahead of November's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series Dubai tournament.
 
"I am excited to use my coaching experience to give back to a program that I value and believe in. Coaching at the highest level brings new challenges and an incredible opportunity to expand my coaching toolbox," said Waters.

According to Dustin Hopkins, managing director of rugby Canada operations, "as a past international player Brittany brings international competition experience to the program as she continues to grow as a coach. She has extensive playing experience on the World 7s Series. Rugby Canada wishes to continue utilizing the services of past female international players that are coaching in the provincial and university systems. Brittney comes from the same cohort of international player as Kelly Russell, Maria Gallo and Jocelyn Barrieau who also continue to work with Rugby Canada's national team programs."

The Vikes women's rugby team will travel to Calgary for the Canada West Final Four from October 28 – 31 with an overall record of 3-2 during regular season play. They face Lethbridge in the semifinals on Oct. 28 at 12:30 p.m. (MST).
 
The team will be without key members of the roster Renee Gonzalez, Sara Kaljuvee and Gabrielle Senft, who are travelling with Rugby Canada's National Senior Women's 15s Fall Tour, beginning November 1.

"We're really going to miss those three athletes, but they've all worked really hard, and they deserve so much to be there. I'm excited for them and this is a big part of our program, developing high-performance athletes to play at the highest level, said Waters.

"We've got a great squad with lots of depth and we're looking forward to a big weekend of competition," she continued.

Vikes alumna Nakisa Levale and current student-athlete Gonzalez will be key members on the world tour, both coming off impressive September performances at the HSBC Canada Sevens Fast Four events in Vancouver and Edmonton and have progressed through Rugby Canada's Maple Leaf Academy.

Former Vikes Pamphinette Buisa, Emily Belchos-deGoede, Paige Farris, and Vikes assistant coach Laura Russel, will also join the tour roster.

Canada's opening two matches of the Fall Tour also mark the kickoff of the Pacific Four Series, a new women's competition that will soft launch with Canada and the USA going head-to-head on November 1 and 5, 2021. The full four-team format will debut in 2022, ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup.

"We are very excited to get our Fall Tour underway with this group of players," said Fiorino. "Our upcoming matches will provide the competitions necessary for us to continue building as a team as we draw closer to kickoff of World Cup 2021."

Canada faces the USA, Wales and World No.1 England as they continue preparations for the rescheduled Rugby World Cup in October 2022.

Canada West Semifinal 
Oct. 28 @Calgary, UVic vs Lethbridge - 11:30PM (PDT) - WATCH
 
Canada's women's 15s Fall Tour Schedule
• Nov. 1, 2021 @ USA  - 7:00pm (PT) - Infinity Park, Colorado - (TICKETS)
• Nov. 5, 2021 @ USA - 7:00pm (PT) - Infinity Park, Colorado - (TICKETS)
• Nov. 14, 2021 @ England - 6:30am (PT) - Twickenham Stoop, London - (WATCH / TICKETS)
• Nov. 21, 2021 @ Wales - 9:00am (PT) - Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff - (TICKETS)