Four members of the University of Victoria women's rugby program have been named to Rugby Canada's U20 roster for the upcoming Asunción 2025 Junior Pan American Games, set for August 9–23 in Paraguay.
UVic head coach
Brittany Waters and assistant coach Robin MacDowell will lead the Canadian U20 women's sevens squad into competition at Paraguay's Olympic Park, with Vikes student-athletes making up a quarter of the 12-person roster.
Olivia Newsome,
Ivy Poetker,
Charlotte Hilton, and
Elle Douglas, all of whom also suited up for the Vikes women's rugby sevens team during the 2025 season, will represent Canada in the second-ever edition of the Games, which will feature over 4,000 athletes from 41 countries competing across 28 sports.
Newsome is coming off an outstanding 2025 Canada West rugby sevens campaign. She earned Canada West All-Star honours, was named to both the Trinity Western and Victoria 7s Dream Teams, and was recognized as Canada West Player of the Week on March 5.
Douglas also stood out on the sevens circuit, appearing in all three tournaments for the Vikes. She led UVic in scoring at the Trinity Western 7s stop with 25 points, notching one try and 10 converts. She finished the season with two tries and 12 converts overall, earning a spot on the Trinity Western Dream Team.
The 2025 Games mark the first time rugby sevens will be included in this international multi-sport event for rising young athletes. Rugby sevens competition is scheduled for August 16–17 (Days 8–9) at Paraguay's Olympic Park.
