Team Canada has won its first medal of the 2024-25 Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series season. On Sunday, Canada finished in third place in the Hong Kong event.
The Canadians beat France 21-17 in the third place playoff to take bronze. Team Canada was second in Pool C after a 24-17 win over Japan and 29-10 win over Spain. Canada’s only pool play loss came to Australia as they were beaten 26-15. In the quarterfinals, Canada beat Fiji 26-17 before losing to New Zealand 41-0 in the semifinals. In the gold medal game, New Zealand beat Australia 26-19.
In Canada’s win over Japan, Fancy Bermudez of Edmonton, Alberta had two tries, while Olivia Apps of Toronto, Ontario and Sabrina Poulin of St-Georges de Beauce, Quebec each had one. In Canada’s win over Spain, five Canadians recorded a try. They were Apps, Bermudez, Breanne Nicholas of Chatham, Ontario, Carmen Izyk of Blackie, Alberta, and Carissa Norsten of Waldheim, Saskatchewan. In Canada’s win over Fiji, Norsten had two tries, while Bermudez and Izyk had one try each. In Canada’s win over France, Shalaya Valenzuela of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Apps and Poulin all had one try. Bermudez, Apps and Valenzuela all won a silver medal for Canada in women’s rugby sevens at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
In the Women’s World Rugby Sevens Series standings, Canada is in fourth place with 56 points after five of six events. They are behind New Zealand (96 points), Australia (88 points) and France (66 points). The last World Series event of the season is in Singapore from April 5 to 6. The bronze medal for Canada will give them confidence as they prepare for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.