Player Spotlight from the Quarter-Finals: Emily Findlay – Photos by Sideline Photos
I admit it, it was a Sunday, the quarter-finals were just over, it was a beautiful day out, I wasn’t motivated to post a story today. But then local Victoria photographer Phillip Kristiansen from sidelinephotos.ca reached out and sent me his photo gallery of the Westshore v CW match with permission to use photos on the site. I saw the sequence of photos below and wow, great shots Phillip, but who is that player? Emily Findlay I was told by Westshore sources. Mostyn Findlay’s younger sister! How many brothers/sisters were playing Premier rugby yesterday for separate clubs? Those who follows the BC Premier know that Mostyn plays for James Bay and has been a fixture in the BC Premier for a number of years, and an accomplished 7s player as well.
Emily played Canada U20 in 2024 and was UVic’s Player of the Match in the 2025 UBC v UVic U Sports final. She usually plays #8 but has played openside flanker as well. Certainly one to watch on the national team pathway. UVic did a great write-up on her in 2023, we’ve posted that below as well.
U Sports November 2025
“UBC’s triumph was spearheaded by tournament MVP Charity Williams, whose relentless defensive pressure and leadership were instrumental throughout the championship. Players of the game were UBC’s Kiki Idowu and Victoria’s Emily Findlay.”
Rugby Canada July 2024
“Canada U20 Women Defeat Wales 53-17 to Complete Sweep at Trans-Atlantic Quad Series
Scorers: Sierra Hasse (1T), Camille Arvin-Bérod (1T), Lana Dueck (1T), Kennedi Stevenson (1T), Addy Holmes (1T), Emily Findlay (1T), Ava Van Santen (1T), Olivia Newsome (1T), Maia Swemmer (1T), Ava Ference (2C), Grace Jacklyn (2C)”
A self-described “hot head,” Emily Findlay is a fierce competitor on the rugby pitch. Perhaps it’s a lifetime spent as an elite hockey player, or maybe it’s pent-up energy from watching injured on the sidelines for her first two rugby 15s seasons at UVic.
Whatever the case, Findlay has found her footing & a starting position on the Vikes roster this season.
Originally from Regina, Findlay earned a hockey scholarship to Shawnigan Lake School in Grade 10. In Grade 11, she began training with Rugby Canada’s Development Academy.
A multi-sport athlete and top prospect coming out of high school, the decision to play rugby at UVic can be credited to her older brother Mostyn, who played four seasons with the @uvicmensrugby team.
However, the dream of following in her brothers’ footsteps ended before it started when she dislocated her shoulder just weeks before the start of her rookie season.
She trained hard to get back on the pitch, and one year later, while on the team’s preseason France tour, she dislocated her shoulder AGAIN. A heart-breaking disappointment, she was back to square one at what felt like an all-time low.
While recovering for the second time, the best thing that could have happened did. Findlay found Rex, a rescue pup, on his very own journey to recover from two broken knees. The two embarked on the road to recovery and physical therapy together. Rex, providing a much-needed distraction from another season spent watching from the sidelines.
A year later, both Findlay and Rex are fully recovered. Findlay is in the best shape of her life and ready to tackle anything and anyone.
“The physicality of the game excites me, and the fitter I am, the more resilient I am to injury. I worked hard on my fitness over the summer, taking every opportunity to play rugby and improve. I also started long-distance running and took a minute off my Bronco [fitness test]. I want to be involved in as much action on the field as possible, which means getting up fast and being able to go to that dark place.” – Findlay
Findlay is definitely involved in the action, and if you catch the @uvicwrug team this season, she is everything, everywhere, all at once!