rugby-alberta

Rugby Alberta Adopts Lower Tackle Height Law Trial Beginning March 2026

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:02:55 GMT

Rugby Alberta is proud to announce the adoption of a lower tackle height law trial for all rugby played within the province of Alberta under its jurisdiction. The law trial will apply to competitions beginning after March 1, 2026 .

This decision aligns with World Rugby’s recommendation that the lower tackle height be adopted globally across the community game starting July 1, 2026 . Rugby Alberta has agreed to implement the trial in advance, with the full support of Rugby Canada and World Rugby.

What Is Changing?

Under the adopted law trial, the maximum-allowed tackle height will be lowered to the base of the sternum , creating a clearly defined “tackle line.” This replaces the previous shoulder-height standard.

Evidence from similar law trials conducted in other rugby nations, including England and New Zealand, has demonstrated improvements in player safety and injury prevention , particularly in reducing the risk of head injuries and concussion. Player safety remains a top priority for Rugby Alberta, and this law trial represents a proactive step toward creating a safer playing environment at all levels of the community game.

Information & Feedback Sessions

Questions & Contact

To support the rollout of the law trial, Rugby Alberta will host two online information and feedback sessions to help community members understand how the change will impact coaches, players, and match officials:

February 26, 2026 ( Click here to register )
March 3, 2026 ( Click here to register )

These sessions will provide an overview of the law trial, practical guidance on implementation, and an opportunity for questions and discussion.

Questions regarding the implementation of the lower tackle height law trial can be directed to:

Andrew Shaw
Manager, Rugby Operations
Rugby Alberta
�� mngrugbyops@rugbyalberta.com

Rugby Alberta Announces U18 Girls Wolf Pack 7s Long List

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 04:51:29 GMT

Rugby Alberta is pleased to announce the U18 Girls long list for the Wolf Pack 7s program. This group of athletes represents the top emerging female rugby talent from across Alberta and reflects the continued growth and depth of the provincial high-performance pathway.

Final selections for the travelling squad of 14 athletes will take place at a selection camp in Red Deer on February 1st from 18:00–20:00 . Following this session, the selected team will represent Alberta at the Vancouver Sevens Invitational (VSI) from March 5–7 , competing against top programs from across Canada.

Being named to the long list is a significant achievement and recognizes each athlete’s performance, commitment, and potential within the 7s environment. Rugby Alberta congratulates all players selected and acknowledges the vital role clubs, coaches, and families play in supporting athlete development across the province.

U18 Girls Wolf Pack 7s Long List

Abi Black – CGY Mavericks Black
Addison Mallard – EDM Gold Green
Adriana Khattar – CGY Mavericks Black
Alexa Nash – CGY Mavericks Silver
Amelie Boivin – Big Country Storm
Ana Paula Rosiles Zungia – CGY Mavericks Black
Andraya Johnson – Big Country Storm
Anna Nesterchuk – EDM Gold Green
Arden Roberts – County Warriors
Aurelia McFarlane – EDM Gold Green
Charlotte Yenny-Richer – CGY Mavericks Silver
Delaney Loucraft – EDM Gold Green
Ella Diener – EDM Gold Green
Emerson Dyck – CGY Mavericks Black
Emily Clark – CGY Mavericks Black
Emily Ross – EDM Gold Green
Grace Freund – CGY Mavericks Black
Isabelle McFaul – County Warriors
Ivy Layton – CGY Mavericks Black
Kennedy Klyne – EDM Gold Green
Kherington Hodgetts – Big Country Storm
Lexi Ramos – CGY Mavericks Black
Lucy Cropley – EDM Gold Green
Lucy Finnson – Deep South
Lyvia Gill – Big Country Storm
Maja Moller – CGY Mavericks Black
Marsaili Cunningham – EDM Gold Yellow
Michela Giacomin – CGY Mavericks Black
Nadia Pacione – Big Country Storm
Olivia Harris – Big Country Storm
Piper Moodie – County Warriors
Samantha Lee – EDM Gold Green
Sammy Poetker – CGY Mavericks Black
Sienna Jordan – EDM Gold Green
Sophie Parrish – EDM Gold Yellow

Head Coach: Agnes Tse

Rugby Alberta extends its congratulations to all players named to the U18 Girls Wolf Pack 7s long list and looks forward to announcing the final travelling roster following the selection camp in Red Deer.

Thirty Players Named to Canada’s U21 Women’s Rugby Team for March Tour to Ireland and England

peter.kotaridis@playhq.com (Kotaridis) — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:59:21 GMT

Thirty players have been selected to represent Canada’s U21 Women’s Rugby Team this spring in Ireland and England. Canada will play Ireland on March 15 in Dublin, then travel to London to face the British Army on March 20, before finishing the tour with a match against England on March 25.

“The selection process for this year’s U21 women’s team included four regional camps held in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and the Atlantic, as well as players’ performance in provincial U19 competition, regional games and U SPORTS,” said Dean Murten, Head Coach of Canada’s U21 Women’s Rugby Team. “This is an exciting group of up-and-coming players that our experienced coaching staff is looking forward to working with in Ireland and England.”

All players selected have U SPORTS experience, with 26 having competed in the 2025 U SPORTS Women’s National Rugby Championship this past fall, including 11 who played in the gold medal match between the UBC Thunderbirds and the University of Victoria Vikes.

“These tours and the program overall are a very important part of the pathway to our women’s national team,” said Kevin Rouet, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team. “It provides great opportunities for the next generation of women’s rugby players in Canada to gain value experience at the international level to test themselves against some of the best up-and-coming talent from around the world.”

Rugby Canada would like to thank Raymond James, the Canadian Rugby Foundation, For the Love of the Game, Langara Fishing Lodge, Blenheim Foundation, GeoPacific Engineering and Anthem Properties for their support of Canada’s U21 Women’s Rugby Team.

Information on how to support and follow the team will be announced in the coming weeks.

CANADA’S U21 WOMEN’S RUGBY TEAM IRELAND/ENGLAND TOUR SQUAD
Adelaide Holmes (Waterloo, ON) – University of Guelph / Guelph RFC

Adia Pye (Victoria, BC) – University of British Columbia

Anya Prokopich (Surrey, BC) – University of British Columbia

Brooke Roddham (Langley BC) – University of British Columbia

Brooke Rempel (Ariss, ON) – Brock University / Brantford Harlequins

Brynn Jenkins (Peterborough, ON) – Queen’s University / Peterborough Pagans

Camille Arvin-Bérod (Saint-Denis-Sur-Richelieu, QC) – Université Laval / Montreal Irish

Drew Spencer (Picton, ON) – Queen’s University / Belleville Bulldogs

Faith Tilley (Halifax, NS) – University of Victoria / Halifax Tars / Castaway Wanderers

Ivy Poetker (Calgary, AB) – University of Victoria / Calgary Rams / Westshore RFC

Jesse Knaggs (Victoria, BC) – University of British Columbia / Castaway Wanderers

Kaitlin Tetteh-Wayoe (Edmonton, AB) – University of Alberta Pandas

Kyleigh Chandra (Mississauga,ON) – Burlington Centaurs / Queen’s University

Kiki Idowu (Toronto, ON) – University of British Columbia / Toronto Scottish

Lana Dueck (Abbotsford, BC) – University of British Columbia / ARFC

Madison Minnis (Barrie, ON) – University of Guelph / Aurora Barbarians

Maia Swemmer (Uxbridge, ON) – Queen’s University / Aurora Barbarians

Mya Koleba (Vernon, BC) – University of British Columbia / TORA

Nayka, Goudreau (Saint-Prosper-de-Dorchester, QC) – Université Laval / Club de Rugby de Québec

Olivia Newsome (Calgary, AB) – University of Victoria

Olivia Dibua (Caledon, ON) – Queen’s University / Aurora Barbarians

Penelope Anderson (Sackville, NB) – TMRRFC / Concordia University

Sandrine Faucher (Québec City, QC) – Université Laval / Club de Rugby de Québec

ShonDreya Smardon (Ottawa, ON) – Barrhaven Scottish RFC / University of Victoria

Sierra Hasse (Sainte-Lazare, QC) – Carleton University / SABRFC

Sophie McDonald (Ottawa, ON) – University of Ottawa / Ottawa Rugby Club

Steph Douglas (Toronto, ON) – Queen’s University / Aurora Barbarians

Sydney, Woodcock (Trenton, ON) – Belleville Bulldogs / Queen’s University

Tatum Lougheed (Calgary, AB) Queen’s University / Canucks Rugby Club

Tia Jordo (Kelowna, BC) – University of British Columbia

STAFF

Dean Murten (Head Coach)
Dan Valley (Attack Coach)
Francois Vachon-Marceau (Forwards Coach)
Clarence Gay (Lead S&C Coach)
Jessica Algie (Lead Therapist)
Emily Hickson (Therapist)
Stacey Maskelyne (Analyst)

Jordan McLeod (S&C support/Manager)

SUPPORT RUGBY CANADA

Canadian rugby is thriving, with record participation nationwide and major international success. Highlights include a silver medal at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, qualification for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, and Sophie de Goede being named World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year.

With the support of donors across the country, Rugby Canada provides world-class training, competition, and development opportunities. Contributions help strengthen our women’s and men’s national teams, support a successful 2027 and 2029 Rugby World Cup campaign, and grow the pipeline of future Canadian rugby players.

To donate, click HERE . For donations of $5,000+ or questions, contact us here .

Rugby Alberta Announces U18 Boys Wolf Pack 7s Long List

peter.kotaridis@playhq.com (Kotaridis) — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 03:58:59 GMT

Rugby Alberta is pleased to announce the U18 Boys long list for the Wolf Pack 7s program. This group of athletes represents the top emerging rugby talent from across Alberta and reflects the continued growth and strength of the provincial high-performance pathway.

Final selections for the travelling squad of 14 athletes will take place at the Red Deer Dome on February 1st from 18:00–20:00 . Following this session, the selected team will represent Alberta at the Vancouver Sevens Invitational (VSI) from March 5–7 , one of Canada’s premier 7s tournaments, competing against top programs.

U18 Boys Wolf Pack 7s Long List

Aiden Smyth – EDM Gold Green
Baron Bateman – EDM Gold Green
Briggs Baker – Deep South
Cam Akitt – Deep South
Chase Major – EDM Gold Yellow
Connell Murphy – County Warriors
Devin Groeneveld – Big Country Storm
Dihan Hyman – County Warriors
Easton Wright – Deep South
Eoghan Murphy – County Warriors
Gerald Perotta – CGY Mavericks Black
Isaac Rainey – Big Country Storm
Jake Kerr – CGY Mavericks Black
Jaren Alaimoana – County Warriors
Jaxon McNeil – EDM Gold Green
Jimmy Paul – EDM Gold Green
Kayden Mellafont – Big Country Storm
Keane Peters – EDM Gold Yellow
Kian Mullen – EDM Gold Green
Logan Forrest – EDM Gold Yellow
Miles Ross – CGY Mavericks Black
Milo Batnaegar – CGY Mavericks Black
Oly Elvy – CGY Mavericks Black
Quinn Lajoie – EDM Gold Green
Rei Joseph – CGY Mavericks Black
Rylan Driver – CGY Mavericks Silver
Scott McLean – CGY Mavericks Black
Seamus Adderley – CGY Mavericks Black
Sebastien Bustomante – CGY Mavericks Black
Tom Meikle – Central Predators
Tucker Kitcher – EDM Gold Green
Vasyl Johnson – EDM Gold Green
Wyatt Bergsma – Deep South
Wynn Pasquotti – Big Country Storm
Zac Shackleton – EDM Gold Green

ugby Alberta extends its congratulations to all players named to the U18 Boys Wolf Pack 7s long list and looks forward to announcing the final travelling roster following the selection session in Red Deer.

The U18 Girls Wolf Pack 7s team will be announced following the ARC this coming weekend, with final selections to follow shortly after.

Welcome Andrew Shaw to Rugby Alberta as Manager, Rugby Operations

peter.kotaridis@playhq.com (Kotaridis) — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 03:58:23 GMT

Rugby Alberta is pleased to announce that Andrew Shaw will be joining our team in the role of Manager, Rugby Operations, effective today, Friday, January 16. Andrew’s experience includes 5 years as a Rugby Development Officer for Saskatchewan Rugby, where he was involved in growth and development initiatives, rugby implementation in schools, and various training and education-focused activities. Andrew’s involvement in our sport has had him serve in various roles at the club level, the sub-union level and the provincial level. Andrew is a World Rugby Coach Educator and an experienced Match Official. In addition to his rugby experience, Andrew also brings project management, relationship building and leadership experience to his new role.

In his new role, Andrew will work alongside the rest of the Rugby Alberta team to foster collaborative relationships that will create a cohesive, supportive and progressive rugby environment in Alberta. Focusing on player development, coach development and match official development, Andrew’s role will be focused on inspiring growth in the game, building sustainable programming, and maintaining alignment at all levels of our sport.

Andrew will be based out of the Calgary area, and we are very excited to have him as part of the Rugby Alberta team!