U21 Women’s Rugby Canada ID Camp Returns to Edmonton

January 3–4 at Foote Field

Showcase your talent and take the next step toward representing Canada at the U21 level. Rugby Alberta is thrilled to host the U21 Women’s Identification Camp on January 3–4, 2026, at Foote Field in Edmonton, Alberta. This annual winter camp is a cornerstone for identifying top talent and preparing athletes for the Canadian Rugby Championships and Rugby Canada U21 program.

We are excited to announce that Dean Murten, U21 Women’s Head Coach for Canada, will be actively involved in the camp. Dean brings extensive experience and will lead sessions focused on high-performance development, providing athletes with invaluable insights into the national program.

“We have a great relationship with the U21 program. Over the last three years, running a winter ID camp has provided incredible opportunities for athletes to get on the radar prior to the Canadian Rugby Championships.”

Register Now:

Spots are limited—secure yours today! Click here to register: U21 Rugby Canada Women’s ID Camp Registration – Fill out form

What to Expect:

  • Dates: January 3–4, 2026
  • Location: Foote Field, Edmonton, Alberta
  • Cost: $50 per participant
  • Check-In: January 3 at 8:00 AM
  • Field Sessions:

– January 3: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

– January 4: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Eligibility:

  • Athletes must be born in 2005/2006/2007 (U21 age group).
  • All participants must be fully registered with Rugby Alberta and a member club within the province.

Payment Options:

  • On-site: Debit or Credit Card via Square on the day of the camp.
  • Prior to camp: e-Transfer to info@rugbyalberta.com (Include the athlete’s name in the comments).

Additional Information:

  • Bring your own snacks and water; breaks are scheduled during sessions.
  • A therapist will be on-site for emergency care only.
  • This camp is a key step for athletes aiming to join the national U21 program.

 Brave Rugby November Camp

Rugby Alberta is excited to release the full schedule for the upcoming Brave Rugby Camp, taking place on November 23, 2025, at Foote Field in Edmonton, AB. This camp is designed to introduce athletes to the Brave environment, provide foundational skill development, and create opportunities to connect with peers and coaches.

Athletes are asked to arrive around 9:45 AM to check in and prepare for the first session.

Camp Schedule

10:00–11:00 AM — On-Field Intro Session
The morning session will ease athletes into training with warm-up activities and foundational skill work led by the Brave coaching staff.

11:00 AM–1:00 PM — Lunch & Team Building
Participants will enjoy a lunch break paired with team-building activities focused on connection, culture, and leadership.

1:00–3:00 PM — Afternoon On-Field Session
The day concludes with an additional on-field session, giving athletes more time to learn, develop, and experience the Brave training environment.

Click Here to Register

Rugby Alberta Establishes High-Performance Committee to Strengthen Athlete and Coach Pathways

Rugby Alberta is proud to announce the establishment of its High-Performance Committee (HP Committee), a strategic advisory group dedicated to advancing player and coach development across the province.
The committee’s primary mandate is to support the Rugby Alberta Board of Directors in designing, implementing, and managing high-performance pathways that empower Alberta’s athletes and coaches to compete and excel at the national and international levels.
The HP Committee brings together key stakeholders from across Alberta’s rugby community. It includes the Rugby Alberta Director of Rugby Operations, members of the Rugby Alberta Board, and representatives appointed by the Edmonton Rugby Union (ERU), Calgary Rugby Union (CRU), and Alberta Junior Rugby Association (AJRA). To broaden expertise, the committee may also invite public members with specialized knowledge to contribute to specific initiatives or projects.
The High-Performance Committee will play a central role in shaping the future of elite rugby in Alberta. Its responsibilities include providing leadership and direction for player and coach development, defining team structures for all Rugby Alberta Wolf Pack programs, and overseeing the recruitment and selection of coaches and managers. The committee will also submit high-performance initiatives for inclusion in Rugby Alberta’s annual business plan and budget, and share regular updates through Rugby Alberta’s official communication channels.
Each year, the committee will prepare a comprehensive Wolf Pack Program Plan by the end of November. This plan will outline coach recruitment timelines, tournament and training schedules, identification (ID) camp dates, and, where applicable, tour details. Reports will be presented to the Board of Directors, included in the Annual Report, and shared at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) as required.
“This committee represents a major step forward for high-performance rugby in Alberta,” said Peter Houlihan, Director of Operations, Rugby Alberta. “By aligning resources and expertise, we are creating a clear and sustainable pathway for athletes and coaches to reach their full potential.”
Rugby Alberta Vice President and Committee Chair Paul Looker added: “This committee will allow us to put forward recommendations to the Rugby Alberta Board that enhance transparency in how programs are facilitated and provide timelines for stronger annual planning.”
Stay connected with Rugby Alberta for updates on Wolf Pack programs and high-performance initiatives.

Support the Future of Rugby in Alberta!

Rugby Alberta is excited to announce its 2026 Sponsorship Drive, inviting businesses, organizations, and individuals to contribute to the growth of rugby and empower athletes throughout the province. With a renewed focus on development, inclusion, and excellence, this initiative supports various programs, ranging from grassroots youth rugby to elite provincial teams like the Alberta Wolf Pack.

 

Why Sponsor Rugby Alberta?

As a sponsor, you will gain brand visibility, opportunities for community engagement, and the chance to align with a sport that values teamwork, resilience, and leadership. Your support will help fund:

– Community outreach and inclusion initiatives

– Youth development programs such as Rookie Rugby and the Alberta Summer Games

– Coach and referee training

– High-performance pathways for athletes aged U16 to senior

 

Another Way to Give: The Rugby Alberta Endowment Fund

In collaboration with the Canadian Rugby Foundation, Rugby Alberta has established the Rugby Alberta Endowment Fund—a long-term initiative aimed at eliminating financial barriers for athletes pursuing high-performance rugby.

Until November 15, 2025, Rugby Alberta will match all donations up to $25,000, effectively doubling your impact. Donations are eligible for charitable tax receipts, making this a meaningful and tax-efficient way to support Alberta’s rugby community.

Donate to the Fund Here!

Get Involved Today

Whether you’re a local business, an enthusiastic rugby supporter, or a community leader, your support helps Rugby Alberta build Good People, Good Places, and Good Programs. You can also set up a monthly donation for as little as $2.00.

Together, we can ensure that every athlete—regardless of their background—has the opportunity to thrive.

For sponsorship inquiries, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Mark Tilles at events@rugbyalberta.com. Visit us at Rugby Alberta Partners for more information.

Upcoming 2026 Coaching Courses

Rugby Alberta is excited to announce upcoming World Rugby Level 1/NCCP Community Initiation courses for 2026!

This Instructor-Led Training session is a necessary step in the World Rugby Level 1/NCCP Community Initiation pathway. Designed for new coaches, this course equips you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills to introduce players to rugby in a safe, enjoyable, and supportive environment.

 

Upcoming 2026 Sessions:
📍 Calgary – January 31 (Centennial High School)
📍 Edmonton – February 22 (Leduc Recreation Centre)
📍 Calgary – February 28 (Bishop Carroll High School)
📍 Edmonton – March 7 (Servus Credit Union Place, St. Albert)
📍 Calgary – March 21 (Bishop Carroll High School)

 

💲 Course Fee: $160 + Tax

 

How to Register:
1️⃣ Log in to your Sportlomo account (Click here to access Sportlomo)
2️⃣ Click “Access The Breakdown” on your grey member card
3️⃣ (You may need to agree to the new terms and update your information if prompted)
4️⃣ Go to “My Courses & Learning Plans” to register

Braves Rugby 7s Camps Announced

Rugby Alberta is proud to launch the first Braves Rugby 7s Camps — part of our new Indigenous rugby program, Braves Rugby. These camps mark the next step in growing the game and celebrating Indigenous participation in rugby across Alberta.

Open to Indigenous youth of all skill levels, the Braves Rugby Camps are a fun and inclusive opportunity to learn rugby fundamentals, build community, and experience the spirit of the game. Participants will take part in skills sessions, games, and team activities led by experienced coaches in a welcoming environment.

Be Brave like a Buffalo and join us for one of our upcoming camps! 🦬

📍 Edmonton Camp

Date: Sunday, October 19
Location: Strathcona Druids RFC — 23360 Twp Rd 524A, Sherwood Park
Time: 14:00–16:00

📍 Calgary Camp

Date: Sunday, October 26
Location: Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club — 4334 18 St NE, Calgary 
Time: 14:00–16:00

These camps are free to attend — just bring your energy and enthusiasm!

🔗 Register now to secure your spot: [Click Here]

Braves Rugby 7s – Call for Players, Coaches & Volunteers

We’re excited to launch a new Indigenous Rugby 7s program and are gathering interest for our first Braves 7s Camp!

📅 Camp Dates: October 18 & October 26
📍 Location: To be determined based on survey responses

We’re inviting players to share their contact information to stay updated and get involved. Click Here to fill out our interest form.

We’re also looking for coaches and volunteers to join the Rugby Alberta Braves program. Level 1 coach education will be provided to help support programs across multiple communities.

If you’re interested in coaching or volunteering, please contact snesbitt@rugbyalberta.com

Let’s grow the game together!

CANADA’S ROSTER SET FOR WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL AGAINST ENGLAND 

Match anticipated to set rugby viewership records – live broadcast on TSN1, TSN4, and just announced on CTV2. Coverage starts with an extended one-hour pre-game show at 10:00AM EST / 7:00AM PST.

September 25, 2025 (London, England) — For only the second time in history, Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team will compete in the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final. Head coach Kevin Rouet has named the match-day roster set to take on England for rugby’s biggest prize this Saturday, September 27, at 8:00 a.m. PST / 11:00 a.m. EST (4:00 p.m. local time) at Allianz Stadium in London. The final will be played in front of a sold-out crowd of 82,000 — the largest audience in women’s rugby history.

“The focus remains on ourselves this week, nothing changes in how we prepare from the last game,” said Rouet. “Of course, we are happy to have made it to the World Cup finals but there is still a job to be done, and I believe in all the players and staff we have here that we will be ready to go for Saturday.”

Rouet has opted for an unchanged lineup following Canada’s semi-final performance, where the team defeated reigning World Cup champions, the New Zealand Black Ferns, by a score of 34–19.

Rouet added: “Every week the coaches are faced with such a hard decision as we believe that all 32 players we have in the squad are amazing rugby players and have a positive impact on the game. We decided to be consistent after a performance we were really happy with against New Zealand, but it will take all the players we have with us to help us win a World Cup.”

Canada scored five tries in that semi-final match, courtesy of Justine Pelletier (named Mastercard Player of the Match), Asia Hogan-Rochester, Florence Symonds, Sophie de Goede, and Alex Tessier. The team also delivered a flawless performance around the breakdown, in the scrum and won 14 out of their 15 total lineouts.

The last time Canada and England met was in the WXV 1 finale last year in Vancouver, British Columbia. Canada struck early through Justine Pelletier and held a 12–7 lead going into the second half following a converted try by Alex Tessier. However, England responded with two late tries to secure a 21–12 victory and claim the WXV 1 title.

 

WHERE TO WATCH 
Coverage of the final between Canada and England will be available on TSN1 and TSN4, with exciting additional coverage just announced on CTV2. Canadians can tune in for an extended one-hour pre-game show starting at 10:00AM EST / 7:00AM PST with kickoff at 11:00AM EST / 8:00AM PST.

CANADA’S RUGBY WORLD CUP FINALS MATCH DAY ROSTER VS ENGLAND

1. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens (37 caps)
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (40 caps) 
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (68 caps) 
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (40 caps)
5. Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby (52 caps)   
6. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers (12 caps)
7. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec (50 caps)
8. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (40 caps)

9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (42 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Exeter Chiefs (22 caps)
11. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC (7 caps)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs (65 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia (17 caps)
14. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens (25 caps)

15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / CastawayWanderers / Ealing Trailfinders (31 caps)

FINISHERS
16. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC (38 caps) 
17. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats (52 caps)
18. Olivia DeMerchant (Mapledale, NB) – Halifax Tars RFC (65 caps)
19. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (83 caps)
20. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University / Saracens (21 caps)
21. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (39 caps)
22. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC (24 caps)
23. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau (24 caps)

MISSION: WIN RUGBY WORLD CUP  
The Mission: Win Rugby World Cup campaign was launched by Rugby Canada to close a $1 million dollar funding gap in sending the best-ever prepared Canadian team to a Rugby World Cup. Rugby Canada CEO met with Head Coach Kevin Rouet at the outset of the season and mapped an ideal training and preparation schedule. It totaled $3.6 million.  The union equally supports women’s and men’s teams, contributing $2.6 million – the highest Rugby Canada has supported a high performance team. Currently at 95% to its $1 million fundraising goal, proceeds from the campaign directly support priorities of the team – pre-tournament training camps, warm-up matches, travel, nutrition, and daily operations of having the group together longer.

The Mission campaign continues to accept donations. Visit www.rugby.ca/en/donate for more information or LINK HERE for the donation page.

Rugby Alberta Launches Endowment Fund to Support Alberta Athletes

Rugby Alberta is proud to announce the creation of the Rugby Alberta Endowment Fund, established in May 2025 in partnership with the Canadian Rugby Foundation.

What Is the Fund?

The Rugby Alberta Endowment Fund was created to establish a Player Assistance Fund. Its purpose is to support Alberta athletes who face financial barriers to participating in high-performance rugby competitions.

This includes helping athletes with costs related to training camps, travel, competitions, and talent identification programs. By removing financial barriers, more athletes will have the chance to compete at higher levels and pursue opportunities to represent both Alberta and Canada.

Why This Matters

High-performance rugby can be expensive. Costs such as travel, coaching, and competition fees can prevent talented athletes from advancing. The Rugby Alberta Endowment Fund provides a sustainable way to ensure athletes are supported, so financial limitations don’t stand in the way of their development.

This initiative reflects the shared objectives of Rugby Alberta, Rugby Canada, and the Canadian Rugby Foundation to develop and grow rugby across Canada.

Double Your Impact

Rugby Alberta will match all donations made before November 15, 2025, up to $25,000.

All donations are also eligible for charitable tax receipts through the Canadian Rugby Foundation.

This means your contribution will go further in helping Alberta athletes succeed.

How to Support

Donations can be made online:
👉 [Donate to the Rugby Alberta Endowment Fund]

CANADA LOCKS IN MATCH DAY SQUAD FOR SEMI-FINAL BATTLE AGAINST NEW ZEALAND AT RUGBY WORLD CUP  

September 17, 2025 (Bristol, England) – With a place in the Rugby World Cup final on the line, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team, Kevin Rouet, has announced Canada’s match day roster for their semi-final clash against the New Zealand Black Ferns. The game will take place on Friday, September 19, at 11:00 a.m. PT / 2:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. local time in England) at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol.

In their last two encounters, Canada has defeated and drawn with the Black Ferns who are the defending Rugby World Cup champions. In 2024, Canada earned a historic 22–19 victory over New Zealand to win the Pacific Four Series. Earlier this year in Christchurch, the Black Ferns scored a last-minute try to draw level with Canada, ranked second in the world, at 27-27. Despite a late go-ahead try from Shoshanah Seumanutafa in the 76th minute, a missed conversion by New Zealand attack saw the match end in a draw.

“We have shown over the past two years that we are one of the best teams in the world, and our last two results against New Zealand support that,” said Rouet. “We have every reason to believe that we can win this game. On Friday, we take another step toward the ultimate goal we have been building toward over our first four games and the last three years. It will be a short week of preparation, but the team will be ready.”

Canada’s lineup remains unchanged from the 23-player roster that delivered a 46–5 quarter-final victory over Australia last weekend.

As a team, Canada has outscored their opponents 193-31 in four games at the Rugby World Cup. They lead the tournament in carries with 622 and sit second overall in offloads with 66 on their way to scoring 30 tries so far.

Defensively, Karen Paquin—set to earn her 50th cap for Canada this weekend—leads the team with 57 tackles. DaLeaka Menin, currently third on the team in tackles with 41, will earn her 68th cap, moving her into second place on Canada’s all-time cap list for women.

On attack, Canada will once again be led by Sophie de Goede, Julia Schell, Asia Hogan-Rochester and Alysha Corrigan.

Schell, who made headlines with six tries in Canada’s opening match—setting a record for the fastest hat-trick in Rugby World Cup history—is tied for the team lead in meters carried (287). Hogan-Rochester, with two tries in three games, shares that honor and Corrigan has recorded four tries so far in the competition and has carried for 198 meters. De Goede is currently third overall in tournament scoring with 44 points (two tries and 17 conversions).

 

WHERE TO WATCH 
Canada’s Rugby World Cup semi-final match against New Zealand on September 19 will kick off at 11:00am PST / 2:00pm EST (7:00pm local time in England) and will be available on TSN. All of Canada’s games at the Rugby World Cup will be broadcast live, along with bonus coverage of select non-Canada matches throughout the tournament. The broadcast schedule is available here.

 

CANADA’S WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM MATCH DAY ROSTER VS NEW ZEALAND 

1. McKinley Hunt (King City, ON) – Aurora Barbarians / Saracens (36 caps)
2. Emily Tuttosi (Souris, MB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (39 caps) 
3. DaLeaka Menin (Vulcan, AB) – Calgary Hornets / Exeter Chiefs (67 caps) 
4. Sophie de Goede (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (39 caps)
5. Courtney O’Donnell (Rimbey, AB) – Red Deer Titans Rugby (51 caps)   
6. Caroline Crossley (Victoria, BC) – Castaway Wanderers (11 caps)
7. Karen Paquin (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Quebec (49 caps)
8. Fabiola Forteza (Quebec City, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (39 caps)

9. Justine Pelletier (Rivière-du-Loup, QC) – Club de rugby de Québec / Stade Bordelais (41 caps)
10. Taylor Perry (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders / Exeter Chiefs (21 caps)
11. Asia Hogan-Rochester (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Nomads / Westshore RFC (6 caps)
12. Alexandra Tessier (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC) – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC / Exeter Chiefs (64 caps)
13. Florence Symonds (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia (16 caps)
14. Alysha Corrigan (Charlottetown, PEI) – CRFC / Saracens (24 caps)
15. Julia Schell (Uxbridge, ON) – Guelph Goats / Castaway Wanderers / Ealing Trailfinders (30 caps)

FINISHERS
16. Gillian Boag (Calgary, AB) – Capilano RFC (37 caps) 
17. Brittany Kassil (Guelph, ON) – Guelph Goats (51 caps)
18. Olivia DeMerchant (Mapledale, NB) – Halifax Tars RFC (64 caps)
19. Tyson Beukeboom (Uxbridge, ON) – Cowichan Piggies / Aurora Barbarians / Ealing Trailfinders (82 caps)
20. Laetitia Royer (Loretteville, QC) – St-Anne-de-Bellevue / Concordia University / Saracens (20 caps)
21. Gabrielle Senft (Regina, SK) – Castaway Wanderers / Saracens (38 caps)
22. Olivia Apps (Lindsay, ON) – Lindsay RFC (23 caps)
23. Shoshanah Seumanutafa (White Rock, BC) – Counties Manukau (23 caps)

MISSION: WIN RUGBY WORLD CUP  
In March 2025, Rugby Canada officially launched the Mission: Win Rugby World Cup (MWRWC) 2025 fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $1,000,000. Despite rising to the second world ranking, the Canadian women’s rugby team operates on a fractional budget compared to its closest competitors. This $1 million gap was identified to best equip the team with extra resources to help them make history.

The mission is now within reach: over 95% of the fundraising goal has been pledged through generous individual donations and crowd funding. Rugby Canada extends its deep appreciation to all MWRWC supporters. For more information or to donate, visit rugby.ca/donate.