Rugby Canada announces roster for womens world cup of sevens in Dubai

Rugby Canada is pleased to announce the roster that will represent Canada at the inaugural 2009 Women’s World Cup of Sevens in Dubai March 5^th-7^th. Twelve athletes will pull on the Canadian jersey in just ten days time with the opportunity to make history after two years of preparations with the program.

The team departs this evening for Dubai to embark on their final training camp prior to the World Cup. After arriving on Tuesday, February 24^th, the squad will commence training on Wednesday and conclude training on Sunday before changing residence to the tournament hotel on Monday, March 2^nd. From this time onward final preparations will take place to prepare the team prior to kick-off on Thursday, March 5^th.

Head Coach Natascha Wesch indicated the focus of this week’s camp will be on the last few details of preparation which will include refining different areas of Canada’s game through daily training sessions and daily video analysis.

The team will also take part in two warm-up matches on Saturday, February 28^th, in Abu Dhabi versus two local teams, the Gulf Ladies and a select side from Abu Dhabi.

“This week will be important for us as a team to work together in order to achieve our common goal for the World Cup of Sevens,” says Wesch.

On the verge on the biggest event in women’s sevens rugby history, team Canada is primed.

“We are very excited and ready to challenge for the first ever RWC7s title,” Wesch concludes on the eve of the team’s departure to Dubai, the site of the inaugural event.

CANADA ROSTER TO ATTEND 2009 WORLD CUP OF SEVENS:
Name, Current Club, Hometown, Prov.

Natalie Bendavid, Aurora Barbarians (ON), Richmond Hill ON
Rosie Cobbett, Burnaby Lake Rugby Club (BC), Fort Nelson BC
Tara Eckert, Calgary Irish (AB), Saskatoon SK
Maria Gallo, Burnaby Lake Rugby Club (BC), Guelph ON
Brooke Hilditch, Yeomen Women's Rugby Club (ON), Mississauga ON
Mandy Marchak, Capilano RFC (BC), Winnipeg MB
Tanja Ness, London St-Georges (ON), Orillia ON
Ashley Patzer, Lethbridge Rugby Club (AB), Lethbridge AB
Cheryl Phillips, Toronto Scottish (ON), Scarborough ON
Kelly Russell, Toronto Nomads (ON), Russell, Bolton ON
Laura Stoughton, Calgary Irish (AB), Saskatoon SK
Brittany Waters, Meraloma Athletic Club (BC), Vancouver BC

NON-TRAVELLING RESERVES:

Marie-Josee Blais, Town of Mount Royal RFC (QC), St. Etienne de Lauzon QC
Genevieve Gay, Bayside RFC (White Rock, BC), Miramichi NB
Jill Harris, Edmonton Rockers Athletic Club (AB), Lloydminster AB

STAFF:
Natascha Wesch, Head Coach, Baie D'Urfe QC, London ON
John Coumbe-Lilley, Technical Advisor, Rochester Hills MI, Rochester Hills MI|
Annie St-Georges, Team Therapist, Crabtree QC, Magog QC
Eva Havaris, Program Manager, London ON, Toronto ON

NON-TRAVELLING STAFF:
Alexander Game, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Edmonton AB