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Four Olympic medallists lead Canada’s charge to ‘stay near the top’ in SVNS
By Finn Morton
With the new HSBC SVNS Series about to get underway in Dubai, Canada will be optimistic, determined and even desperate to start their season with some strong performances as they look to “solidify our foundations” as one of the teams to beat in women’s sevens.
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Team Canada shocked France and SVNS Series champions Australia as they marched into the Paris Olympics gold medal match against New Zealand. The Canadians put up a valiant effort in that blockbuster showdown, but the New Zealanders were just too good in the end.
But Canada’s history-making efforts to make the gold medal match in the first place haven’t gone unnoticed. They may have been a bit of a dark horse going into the Olympic Games at the Parisian venue, but they’ll now have a target on their backs as one of the top contenders.
Four Olympic medallists headline Canada’s squad for the HSBC SVNS Series opener at Dubai’s The Sevens Stadium. Piper Logan, Carissa Norsten, Asia Hogan-Rochester and Shalaya Valenzuela will all play crucial roles in the team’s quest for Cup Final glory this weekend.
Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Pamphinette Buisa and Hogan-Rochester have all been named in the squad following Canada’s Tests in World Rugby’s WXV 1. The trio all played minutes against world no. 1 England at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium earlier this fall.
Savannah Bauder, Adia Pye and Valenzuela all join the sevens side after helping UBC Thunderbirds take out gold at the U SPORTS National Rugby Championships earlier this month. Maya Addai from the University of Victoria Vikes, who came second, has also been selected.
“Players and staff are eager and excited to begin the 2025 season next weekend in Dubai,” head coach Jocelyn Barrieau said in a statement. “The roster brings a mix of players with considerable experience on the Series and a group of incredibly talented, up-and-coming players who could make their debut with Canada’s sevens team.
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“We are proud of our performance at the Paris Olympics, but to stay near the top, we need to solidify our foundations and keep the program successful over the next four years leading to the 2028 Olympic Games.”
Canada will kick off their 2024/25 HSBC SVNS season against Japan before facing Brazil and then New Zealand to round out pool play. That clash with New Zealand will put the top two Olympic sides against one another in a match that’s not to be missed.
Following the event in Dubai from November 30 to December 1, the SVNS Series heads to Cape Town’s DHL Stadium from December 7 to 8. Perth, Vancouver, Hong Kong China, Singapore and Los Angeles are the other destinations on this year’s Series.
Canada Women’s Sevens roster
Breanne Nicholas, Carmen Izyk, Piper Logan, Camille Arvin-Berod, Carissa Norsten, Maya Addai, Adia Pye, Shalaya Valenzuela, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Savannah Bauder, Mahalia Robinson, Monique Coffey, Pamphinette Buisa
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DUBAI POOL PLAY SCHEDULE
Saturday, November 30
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs Japan
9:00 p.m. PT (Friday, November 29) / 12:00 a.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. local time
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs Brazil
11:15 p.m. PT (Friday, November 29) / 2:15 a.m. ET / 11:15 a.m. local time
Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team vs New Zealand
4:07 a.m. PT / 7:07 a.m. ET / 4:07 p.m. local time