Wednesday, May 8, 2019 [Updated May 9, 2019]
~ by Mary P Brooke, West Shore Voice News
On this warm dry summer evening a caravan of world class rugby athletes made their way to the top of Bear Mountain for a photo op.
In town from around the world to compete in this weekend’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, teams from 12 countries (including Canada) are being hosted by Canada at Bear Mountain and Four Points Sheraton in Langford. The tournament is of course played at Westhills Stadium in Langford.
The international travel experience of these top-performing women athletes together with the confidence that comes from sports performance excellence saw them loose and relaxed as they gathered at the 14th hole with breathtaking views of the burgeoning city, the sparkling ocean and the majestic Mount Baker beyond.
At that spot their traditional captain’s photo was taken along with the HSBC trophy and a few rugby balls tucked under muscular arms for powerful effect.
Is there any pressure to perform given that Canada’s Women’s Sevens team is in second place in the series and only 20 points ahead of France (putting this country’s team in 5th place)? The top four nations at the end of the series automatically qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Toyko, Japan.
“The goal was to qualify this season,” says Canada Women’s Sevens Team Captain Ghislaine Landry. “I like where we’re sitting. But the way the season is going we’re just going to keep pushing for performances and let the rest take care of itself,” she told West Shore Voice News.
Landry says that community events have created a busy week. “All the teams have been out at the schools in the area and at some public events with HSBC. To have rugby in the community and coaching with little kids — whether it’s Canadians or other teams — we love it,” she said.
The national rugby training centre is in Langford which gives rugby a naturally strong presence in the west shore community. A few west shore SD62 schools will have enjoyed some rugby coaching this week. The team from France was at Spencer Middle School in Langford on Monday, the team from Ireland went out to EMCS high school in Sooke today while Canada’s team was at Ruth King Elementary in Langford, and Belmont Secondary School students in Langford will get to handle the ball with the USA team on Thursday.
Among SD61 schools getting in on the action, the team from Brazil was at Esquimalt High School today, and China’s team will be at Spectrum Community School tomorrow.
Canada won Gold on April 21 in Japan. What’s been going on with training since the last game in Japan a few weeks ago? “The first priority was to recover. It was a big weekend and obviously physically pretty tough. But once we got over that, we just got back at it. We’ve been looking at performances and where we can keep getting better.,” said Landry. She says there will be “no major changes but just looking at where we can improve by making those one percent increment”.
Is there any team you’re worried about in this competition? “At this point, everyone! It’s a tough series. Everyone’s playing really well. There’s no easy game any more. We’ll take it one game at a time. But yeah, everyone’s a threat now,” said Landry in a confident and relaxed manner.
And about the photo atop Bear Mountain this evening. For Landry it was her first time up there. “I don’t know if we’ve ever had a photo like this. This is a pretty epic venue for a photo. It’s a bit of a tradition at every tournament, we go to a spot and get a photo together in every country. Rugby is about tradition,” she said.
The scenic 14th hole at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Mountain Course at Bear Mountain Resort is a popular location for photo shoots including weddings. After the formal shoot, the rugby gals could take a swing with a golf club, just for fun and the camera. Not a regular golfer, Landry’s casual shot appeared effortless.
Landry started playing rugby in high school. She’s been with the Canada Women’s Sevens since 2011 and rose to playing in the World Series in 2012.
This evening at the photo op, Gareth Rees, Rugby Canada’s Director, Commercial and Program Relations said: “We had a great result in Japan. Our ladies work very very hard.” He remarked that there is “a little bit more expectation to manage when you’re the home team”.
Canada currently sits in 2nd place on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series with two tournaments to go and only 20 points ahead – this weekend in Langford and then in Biarritz, France on June 15 and 16.
“There is a possibility depending on the performance of certain teams that teams here can qualify for the Olympics,” said Rees. “But we won’t know until Day 2 at the earliest. Canada coming out on top “would be a great moment to have here in Langford,” said the rugby Hall of Fame legend.
The Canada Women’s Sevens tournament comes up this weekend Saturday May 11 and Sunday May 12 at Westhills Stadium. | Tickets and more info: Canada Women’s Sevens – May 11 & 12
Rugby Canada organizers are hoping for a sell-out crowd for the Canada Women’s Sevens tournament on Mother’s Day weekend. The event has become a popular event for sports fans and families in Langford and the south island region over the past several years.
This weekend marks the fifth time Langford has hosted the HSBC Canada Women’s Sevens at Westhills Stadium which has recently completed an upgrade with new stands, seating and stadium upgrades.