U Sports Names Women’s Team to Represent Canada at FISU Rugby Sevens
The 2026 FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens takes place from September 4 to 6 in Stellenbosch , South Africa. There are 16 teams, 7 women and 9 men, from 14 countries, hosts South Africa have teams entered in both men’s and women’s tournaments as does Australia. Other teams in the women’s tournament besides Canada, Australia and South Africa are USA, Ireland, Japan and France. The men’s competition includes South Africa, Chile, Mexico, Australia, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Uganda, Norway and Japan. Robin MacDowell from Cowichan is part of the coaching team.
The official website includes the following links for following along.
Click here to watch the livestream
Click here to access photos and highlights.
Click here to get all the results.
Canada women’s team
| Player Name | University Affiliation |
| Ivy Poetker | Victoria |
| Jaime Dickson | UBC |
| Sam Reid | Acadia |
| Ava Ference | Harvard |
| Ella O’Regan | Victoria |
| Rachel Cullum | Queen’s |
| Ava Van Santen | Trinity Western |
| Corine Bellavance | Laval |
| Mistura Are | York |
| Megan Allard | Concordia |
| Grace Dingwall | Ottawa |
| Shondreya Smardon | Victoria |
from U Sports
Twelve student-athletes from across Canada have been selected to represent Team Canada at the 2026 FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens, set for Sept. 4-6 in Stellenbosch, South Africa!
Canada heads to Stellenbosch looking to build on its silver-medal performance at the 2024 championship in Aix-en-Provence, France. The Canadian women have a strong history in the event, having won three world university titles since rugby sevens joined the FISU World University Championship program in 2004.
The 2026 squad draws players from 10 universities across Canada and the United States, including three from the University of Victoria.
Team staff
Robin MacDowell, Coach – Victoria
Chelsea Ross, Coach – Alberta
Clarence Gay, Team official
Emily Hickson, Medical personnel
