Norsten named captain of Canada ahead of Dubai opener

Canada Women’s Sevens head coach Jocelyn Barrieau has named her 14-player squad for the HSBC SVNS Series’ kick-off in Dubai and Cape Town.

Asia Hogan-Rochester is the sole player in the squad that helped Canada to a runners-up finish at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in September.

The 26-year-old flyer is joined in the squad by returning 2024 Olympian, Krissy Scurfield, who has returned to sevens after a season with Loughborough Lightning in Premiership Women’s Rugby.

A number of other Women’s Rugby World Cup stars were unavailable for selection after taking up playing opportunities in England, while Chloe Daniels and Piper Logan are unavailable due to injury.

Both Ivy Poetker and Kennedi Stevenson have been selected for their first tour with Canada Women’s Sevens and are in line for their debuts in Dubai or Cape Town.

In Dubai the North Americans have been placed in Pool B with Australia, Great Britain and Japan.

“All the players and staff are excited to begin the sevens season this week in Dubai,” Barrieau said. “Since we assembled for camp earlier this month, there has been a lot of work put in to make sure we start the season strong.

“Last year was about solidifying our foundations and showing the world that we are one of the top teams on the series. Now we must continue to build on our successes and learn from the challenges we face as we frame our 2025-2026 season.”

Seven of the players named in Barrieau’s squad helped Canada to a bronze medal finish at the World Championship in Los Angeles: Breanne Nicholas, Carissa Norsten, Carmen Izyk, Savannah Bauder, Hogan-Rochester, Charity Williams and Larah Wright.

2024 HSBC SVNS Rookie of the Year, Norsten, has been named as the team’s captain. Fresh from being named 2025 U SPORTS Player of the Year for her efforts with the University of Victoria, it is an exciting next step in the career of the 22-year-old Olympic silver medallist.

“Carissa is everything a Canadian captain should be,” Barrieau said. “Strong, gritty, smart and has an amazingly kind character.

“She is the perfect fit to be a captain and leads by example. I am so happy to be working with her and this group moving forward to see how far and how high we can reach.”

Canada Women’s Sevens Squad for Dubai and Cape Town

4 Breanne Nicholas
5 Savannah Bauder
6 Charity Williams
8 Carmen Izyk
13 Krissy Scurfield
14 Eden Kilgour
19 Carissa Norsten
21 Adia Pye
24 Asia Hogan-Rochester
38 Kennedi Stevenson
47 Larah Wright
55 Monique Coffey
68 Ivy Poetker
99 Pamphinette Buisa