VICTORIA – The future is bright for the University of Victoria men's and women's rugby programs that continue to have athletes competing for Canada at the highest level of the sport. More than 20 current, former, and incoming Vikes will represent UVic as members of Rugby Canada's U18, U20, U23, and senior national teams this summer.
On the heels of an outstanding rookie season with the Vikes men's rugby team,
Taine Clague,
Muiredach Casey, Jordan Auger, and Liam Poulton recently competed for Canada's U20 men at the World Rugby Trophy Qualifier in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The U20 men returned to action for the first time since the pandemic as the first age-grade team to see competition in 2023.
Following three regional camps held in Vancouver, Guelph and Halifax, eight incoming UVic recruits were named to the U18 men's 26-player roster, including Adam Doane, Brighton Feldman, Carter Haddow, Matthew Bennett, Spencer Cotie, Morgan Di Nardo, Josh McIndoe and Josh Petrov—a positive sign of what's to come for the UVic men's rugby program. Canada's U18 men will play three matches in Amsterdam this July as part of the Corendon Rugby Summer Tour.
Driscoll, Cotie and Di Nardo will also head to Trinidad and Tobago from August 4-11, looking to bring home gold at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games alongside
Olivia Newsome and Elle Douglas of the UVic women's team.
"It is very exciting to see these future Vikes get their first opportunities to put on a Canadian jersey. A huge part of the vision for our program is creating an environment where athletes feel they can develop to compete for their country. It is great to see that these athletes already getting this opportunity, have chosen to come to UVic," said
Scott Manning, UVic men's rugby head coach.
"These trips are incredibly impactful experiences, and the bonds these athletes are going to create should set them up nicely to continue as teammates over the next number of years," continued Manning.
The roster for Canada's U20 women's July tour in Ottawa, taking place alongside the 2023 World Rugby Pacific Four Series, has been named by head coach Dean Murten.
On the women's side, a large contingent of Vikes attended the top-40 camp with Carrisa Norsten,
Soleil Brooks,
Marina Skakun,
Lucie Romeo and
Faith Tilley named to the tour with
Emily Findlay as a non-travelling reserve.
"We are so proud of the athletes who were named to the Canada U20 squad and the athletes who tried out at the top 40 camp," said
Brittany Waters, women's rugby head coach. "The experience gained will be important for helping them grow and reach their goals of playing at the highest level. They will also be coming into the fall season with a new confidence that will continue to drive the Vikes program forward."
As preparations continue for the Pacific Four matches against New Zealand and Australia in Ottawa this July, head coach Kevin Rouet has named 40 players for a pre-tournament camp that will be held in Perth, Ontario, from June 26 to July 1. Canada's official 30-player roster for the final rounds of the Pacific Four Series will be declared following July 1.
Current UVic standout
Zoe Williams will attend the camp alongside Vikes alumnae and national team mainstays Paige Farries,
Sara Kaljuvee, and
Gabrielle Senft.
Justine Blatt-Janmaat and
Renee Gonzalez are listed as non-travelling reserves.
Former national team player and UVic women's head coach
Brittany Waters will return to the sidelines this summer as an assistant coach with the U23 women's program. Waters will act as the assistant coach with the U23s during a tour in Boston alongside head coach Kevin Rouet.
The U23 women's program will consist of nominations led by university coaches and provincial unions. The focus of the U23 program will be on U SPORTS players and those who previously competed in U20 but have yet to be selected for the senior program.
Rugby Canada will release rosters and camp/match dates for all of Canada's women's age-grade teams in the near future.
For the UVic men's and women's rugby teams' participation in international competition has become par for the course. According to Waters, it's not luck but a combination of talent and environment.
"We have seen a huge number of Vikes athletes represent the Maple Leafs over the recent years, and I believe it's a fortunate combination of UVic drawing in talented, hard-working athletes, a strong varsity program and an environment conducive to opportunities with high-performance athletes and coaches," said Waters.
Whatever the case, the stage is set for what is sure to be some great rugby on Vancouver Island in the coming years.
For information on how to catch the action, visit rugby.ca for schedules, news and updates.
