Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team is back in Ottawa and aiming to make history—again. Ahead of their highly anticipated Aug. 1st clash against the United States at TD Place (7pm kickoff), the team was officially introduced to local media and fans at National Art Gallery on July 29.
These two rivals last faced off in April 2024 during the Pacific Four Series, where Canada dominated with a commanding 50-7 victory.
The last time Canada played at TD Place was in 2023, also as part of the Pacific Four Series, where they made headlines for more than just their performance. That match drew a record-breaking crowd of 10,092; the largest in Canadian women’s rugby history.
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- Canada’s Women’s Rugby World Cup Squad arrving at the National Gallery of Canada. Photo Pedro Decimus
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- Forward Brittany Kassil introduced by Rugby Canada Chair Kathleen McGinn and Head Coach Kevin Rouet. Photo Pedro Decimus
With the Women’s Rugby World Cup set to take place in England, and Canada currently ranked #2 in the world, this match represents more than just a warm-up. It’s a statement of intent. The team is on a mission: bring home the World Cup title for the first time.
When asked what they are looking forward to the most this week in Ottawa, forward Tyson Beukeboom did not hesitate:
Beating the Americans. As always. It’s my favourite thing to do.
Not one to mince words, the Uxbridge Ontario product grinned ear to ear when asked about playing one home game as a national team this year before the World Cup.
“We don’t actually get a lot of opportunities to play at home, so being able to be in Ottawa with such exciting fans, and so many people excited to see us, that’s going to set up us for our journey to the World Cup,” she said.
The Canadian Women’s Rugby World Cup team sings Oh Canada. Photo Pedro Decimus
Women’s sports have seen an unprecedented rise in popularity in the last few years, and rugby is among one of those growing sports. Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Bombrys, who lives locally, is confident about the impact that these players are having on the younger generations, as they plan a series of open practices with local rugby squads.
“It’s more than just the game, it’s about inspiring the next generation,” he says.
Ottawa’s mayor was present during the team’s introduction, underscoring the importance of hosting top-tier sporting events in the nation’s capital and urging residents to turn out in force to break the current North American attendance record with “elbows up.”
And of course, Beukeboom said it best: the women are hoping we the fans bring “Energy. Just lots of energy. It’s going to be louder, bigger, better, more fun.”
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Tickets are still available online for Friday’s match, starting at $55 each. To make the event even more accessible, shuttle buses will be running from Carleton University to TD Place on game day from 5:30pm to 1 hour after the game.
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