Canada ready for World Cup glory
The rise of women’s rugby has been a breakthrough storyline in the tradition-laden sport. Veteran Barbara Mervin has been there every step of the way for it.
The 35-year-old Westshore RFC player was named for her third women’s World Cup when Langford-based Rugby Canada announced the national side on Wednesday. The squad features 18 returnees from the silver-medallist 2014 Canadian World Cup squad. Mervin does that one better and is among four players who will play in their third World Cup when No. 3 Canada opens in Ireland against No. 23 Hong Kong on Aug. 9 before concluding pool play against No. 10 Wales on Aug. 13 and No. 2 New Zealand on Aug. 17.
“I have seen a huge growth in the women’s game from the 2010 World Cup,” said Mervin.
“The French did a tremendous job in displaying the sport during the 2014 World Cup. This year in Ireland, the support and crowds are supposed to be great also.”
Players from Island clubs named to the Canada roster include Mervin, Emily Belchos, Elissa Alarie, Latoya Blackwood, Chelsey Minter and Brianna Miller of Westshore RFC, Kelly Russell, Laura Russell and Tyson Beukeboom from Cowichan RFC and Brittany Waters and Julianne Zussman, Olivia DeMerchant and Karen Paquin from Castaway Wanderers.
Kelly Russell and Paquin return to XVs after winning bronze with Canada in sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
“Kelly Russell is such a great leader and captain,” said Mervin.
Waters, meanwhile, is also busy in rugby in another role as head coach of the University of Victoria Vikes women’s team. Mervin also has another dimension in the sport. The graduate of Victoria’s Pacific Design Academy sells her own line of rugby apparel branded Aptoella.
Another notable returnee is former captain Andrea Burk of North Vancouver.
“It’s exciting because we have a lot of returning players from last time,” said Mervin.
Mervin attributes her own longevity in the sport to a flexible approach to training.
“Being an older play is about being smart with your body, and having coaches who support you in that approach,” said Mervin. “For instance, in training, I do gymnastics instead of lifting weights. And you are surrounded by so many national team players on the Island that it keeps you sharp.”
While the national team is mostly about veteran talent such as Magali Harvey of Quebec City — maybe the most recognizable name in Canadian women’s XVs rugby — Westshore RFC’s Miller and Stelly’s Secondary and UVic product Minter are among 10 players who will be making their World Cup debuts in Ireland next month.