VICTORIA – After a fairytale season in 2023, the University of Victoria women's rugby team is hungry for more as they head into the 2024 season. Finishing as the national runners-up at the U SPORTS championship, the Vikes defied the odds by climbing from the eighth seed to their highest-ever finish. Now, with their sights set on another magical run, the team is eager to chase that feeling to nationals in PEI. The Vikes begin their season at home against the University of British Columbia on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 1:00 p.m. on Wallace Field.

With a solid core of returning athletes, a talented group of incoming rookies and a few national team additions, head coach Brittany Waters says the potential is immense.

"Our culture is so strong from last season that we've already hit the ground running. Now, it's just about cohesively coming together as a group, and that's an exciting challenge."

Key returners
Carissa Norsten, a newly minted Olympic silver medallist, returns to the Vikes roster after missing much of last year's playoff run due to the Olympic qualifiers. Having gained experience competing at the highest level, the Waldheim, Saskatchewan product will add depth and experience to an already talented Vikes team.

One of many Vikes to represent Canada over the summer was third-year Larah Wright. A U SPORTS All-Canadian and 2021 U SPORTS Rookie of the Year, Wright was one of 12 U SPORTS women's rugby players to represent Canada at the 2024 FISU World University Rugby Sevens Championship in Aix-en-Provence, France. Wright returned to the field last fall like no time had passed following ACL surgery, proving dominance in both 15s and sevens, and is sure to be a force this year.

Other veteran athletes making up the Vikes strong senior contingent include Maelle Reed, Ella O'Regan, Zoe Williams and Regan Casey. Williams, a perennial U SPORTS All-Canadian, will play an important role holding down the front row, while Casey is coming off a summer in New Zealand playing for the Bay of Plenty Volcanix.

Among a strong group of young returning athletes are Emily Findlay, Emma Grootendorst, Elle Douglas, Piper Walsh and Olivia Newsome, who spent the summer training and playing together while representing Canada in the first-ever women's U20 Transatlantic Quad Series. The team finished with a perfect record of 3-0, defeating the USA, England and Wales.

Off-season additions
Perhaps the most notable addition to this year's squad is Maddy Grant. The former University of Ottawa Gee-Gee moved out west as a member of both the 15s and sevens national teams, helping Canada qualify for Paris 2024. As many of the U SPORTS teams see the return of Olympians and World Cup athletes to their rosters this season, Grant will be a crucial supplement to the Vikes.

Canada Maple Leaf Academy standouts and former Carleton Ravens Maya Addai and Vanessa Chiapetta as well as former Calgary Dino Angie Olukunmi will also add incredible depth and experience to the roster. Olukunmi spent 2023 playing overseas in Japan for Azalea Rugby and the Tokyo Phoenix before joining the Maple Leaf summer program in 2023.

Waters has also added 12 rookies to this year's squad, including high school standout Ivy Poetker. A Calgary native, Poetker is a talented multisport athlete with a diverse background in rugby, wrestling and cross-country mountain biking who is one to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Coaches notes
"We set a new bar last year and that's now our bare minimum. Our vision as a program is to advance women's rugby in Canada and be a leading team in U SPORTS. The type of rugby we play and the pace and intelligence with which we play is getting people excited and interested in the sport," said Waters.

"It's a big deal when Olympians are choosing to play in this league, and it demonstrates the strength of U SPORTS as a pathway for Rugby Canada."

GAME INFORMATION
Vikes vs. UBC
Saturday, Sept. 7| 1:00 p.m. | Wallace Field
2024-25 Schedule