Maple Leafs named for Vegas invitational

Rugby Canada will send a Maple Leafs women’s development side to take part in the Las Vegas invitational tournament that takes place alongside the HSBC Sevens Series event this weekend. Coaching the side will be 2015 CIS Coach of the Year Colette McAuley, assisted by 2014 World Cup team member Jessica Dovanne. The tournament takes place over three days from March 3-5, with more than 250 teams expected across 28 divisions played on three different locations concurrently.

Featured in the Canadian entry are several senior 7s caps, including Emily Belchos, Julia Greenshields, Kayla Mack, Nadia Popov, and Charity Williams. Also traveling with the team is 17-year-old Caroline Crossley, who made her senior debut at Dubai in December.

The Maple Leafs entered two sides – East and West – in last year’s tournament, finishing 3rd and 4th respectively. They were crowned champions in both 2013 and 2014. Their competitors in Pool D will include Eastern USA select side Atlantis, the Northeast Olympic Development Academy, and invitational team Stars Rugby.

MAPLE LEAFS 7s
Emily Belchos, Christina Branch, Pam Buisa, Caroline Crossley, Ashley Gordon, Julia Greenshields, Alexandra King, Nakisa Levale, Kayla Mack, Nadia Popov, Elysa Sandron, Charity Williams

Head Coach – Colette McAuley
Assistant Coach – Jessica Dovanne
Strength & Conditioning – Dana Agar-Newman
Physiotherapist – Steve Mackinnon
Manager – Meaghan Howat

POOL FIXTURES
Thu, Mar 3 – 10:00 PST, 13:00 EST – vs Atlantis
Thu, Mar 3 – 12:40 PST, 15:40 EST – vs Northeast ODA
Fri, Mar 4 – 10:00 PST, 13:00 EST – vs Stars Rugby 1