Get to know three top players on Canada’s women’s rugby sevens team
The national women’s rugby sevens team is sitting third in the series rankings right now, and poised to take one of the season’s top-4 spots and automatic qualification for Rio 2016.
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Since they could be one of Canada’s first teams to punch a ticket to Rio, we thought we’d introduce a few of the top performers, for your benefit and enjoyment, as always.
The Captain – Jen Kish
@jen_kish
Jen Kish (Photo: Ian Muir / Rugby Canada)
Age: 26 (born July 7, 1988)
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Started rugby: Grade 9 at W.P. Wagner High School in Edmonton
Rugby strengths: Aerials skills and defence
Favourite rugby memory: Winning silver at the 2013 Women’s Rugby Sevens World Cup
Major achievement: Finalist, 2013 IRB Women’s Player of the Year
Favourite activity outside of rugby: Golfing and riding motorcycles
According to head coach John Tait: “There’s nobody she’s afraid to get a tackle into and she’s one of the best in the world at stealing the ball.”
“You don’t always have to lead, a good leader lets others lead as well.” – Jen Kish, captain, women’s rugby sevens
The Top Scorer – Ghislaine Landry
@ghis_landry
Ghislaine Landry (Photo: Ian Muir / Rugby Canada)
Age: 26 (born April 27, 1988)
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Started rugby: Grade 9 at Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute in Toronto
University rugby: St. Francis Xavier, 2006-2009 (Champs 2006)
Rugby strengths: Speed and agility on attack
Favourite thing about rugby: “My favourite part is on attack, it’s a little bit like chess. When you break through without being touched, that’s the magic of it.”
Major achievement: 2nd in tourney scoring and silver, 2013 Women’s Rugby Sevens World Cup, 2-time CIS Player of the Year (2007, 2008)
Favourite activity outside of rugby: Canoe tripping and camping
According to head coach John Tait: “We call her a technician, she does all the little things right, from eating to recovery. She’s got great feet, great balance when she runs.”
The Power Pack – Ashley Steacy
@AshleySteacy
Age: 27 (born June 28, 1987)
Hometown: Lethbridge, AB
Started rugby: Grade 10 at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute
University rugby: University of Lethbridge 2005-2009 (Champs 2007, 2008, 2009)
Rugby strengths: Ball handling and evasiveness
Favourite thing about rugby: “To be in open space and step people and the fast-paced evasiveness of the game”
Favourite activity outside of rugby: Horseback riding
Major achievement: Silver, 2013 Women’s Rugby Sevens World Cup, 2-time CIS Player of the Year (2006, 2009)
According to head coach John Tait: “She’s got a ton of courage, she’s our smallest player but definitely one of our hardest hitting players. She is really evasive and that combined with the ball-handling skills makes her a real threat”
“It’s weird thinking about Rio, obviously that’s what we’re working towards but right now all we’re focussing on is coming in top-4 so that we can go to Rio.” – Ashley Steacy
