Rugby community hopes Canada's World Cup run inspires future players
Gemma Karstens-Smith
| The Canadian Press | Posted: September 26, 2025 10:54 AM |
Last Updated: September 26
Underdog Canadians will take on powerhouse Red Roses in front
of record 82,000 fans
Image | 2236318809
Caption: Canada players applaud fans after defeating New
Zealand in the semifinals of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup
in Bristol, England. (David Rogers/Getty Images)
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Tears rolled down Charity Williams' cheeks as she watched
Canada's women's rugby team secure its spot in the World Cup
final.
After winning Olympic silver with Canada's rugby 7s squad in
Paris, Williams knows all too well what the moment meant not
only to the players, but to the sport in Canada.
"I just got so emotional thinking how amazing it is that
Canadian rugby is where it's at today and how far we've come,"
she said. "We did something really amazing on the world stage
at the Olympics, and now some of my team members are also doing
something really amazing on the world stage at the World Cup.
It's just so cool to see."
Williams, who currently plays for the University of British
Columbia Thunderbirds, will be watching with her teammates
Saturday when No. 2 Canada takes on top-ranked England in the
World Cup final.
WATCH | Sophie de Goede on 'magnitude' of playing in front of
record-breaking crowd:
Media Video | Sophie de Goede on 'magnitude' of playing in
front of record-breaking crowd
Caption: The Women's Rugby World Cup final between Canada and
England will be played in front of a sellout-crowd of 82,000
fans. Canadian forward Sophie de Goede speaks of the excitement
leading up to the historic match.
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They aren't alone.
Rugby clubs across the country are hosting watch parties for
the game and showing a whole new generation what the sport has
to offer.
"I started playing really young and I know I was inspired by a
lot of the girls who are still even playing today, which I find
really amazing," Williams said.
"But I think it just shows all the little girls and boys in the
country what's possible, no matter what you look like, your
size, your speed, whatever it is. That's the thing about rugby
that's so special, is that there's literally a position for
absolutely anybody."
* Canada, England face off in heavyweight final at Women's
Rugby World Cup
* St. FX women's rugby team inspired by former player's run
to world cup final
Leah Corvec has seen the girls program at Langley Rugby Club
near Vancouver "explode" in recent years.
Registration for the girls under-18 team has "probably doubled"
over the past two years, the club's president said, and now
includes 52 players, enough for two teams.
"It's so empowering for them. It doesn't matter what kind of
body type you have, it doesn't matter your skill set — you're
welcome, and there is a place for you there," Corvec said.
"It just builds their confidence so much to be out there and be
on the field and then have that sisterhood with the other women
and girls that they're working with."
WATCH | Kevin Rouet says team feels confident heading into
Women's Rugby World Cup final:
Media Video | Kevin Rouet says team feels confident heading
into Women's Rugby World Cup final
Caption: Canadian women's rugby team head coach Kevin Rouet
says having more preparation time could be a 'game-changer'
when they face England in the final on Saturday. Canada is
unbeaten in 12 matches (11-0-1) since a 21-12 loss to England
last year.
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Watching the World Cup games on TV has helped Cassidy Gale show
her players at Meraloma Rugby Club in Vancouver how to best use
their bodies, which can be "huge" for a kid's confidence.
"Seeing them get into it and watch, you're like, 'OK, we can
talk about what it looks like for someone who looks like you to
do the skills that we're doing," said Gale, who coaches girls
between nine and 16 years old.
Having the games on national TV also helps expose a new
audience to women's rugby.
* P.E.I.'s Alysha Corrigan and Team Canada eye rugby glory in
Women's World Cup final
Gale said she's been talking to friends who've been getting
text messages from their dads about just how incredible the
women's team is.
"They're watching for the first time and gaining and developing
the respect that these women actually deserve and starting to
recognize, like, `Oh, women's rugby is rugby. This is actually
phenomenal gameplay,"' she said. "This is excellent from a
sports perspective, not just from a women's sports
perspective."
Seeing the women's national team compete at the highest level
also helps inspire the next generation.
WATCH | Canada books place in Women's Rugby World Cup final
against England:
Media Video | Hanomansing Tonight : Canada heading to Women's
Rugby World Cup final | Hanomansing Tonight
Caption: After a win against New Zealand in the semifinal match
Friday, Canada will make its first appearance in the Women's
Rugby World Cup final since 2014. Former Canada women’s
national rugby team player Magali Harvey discusses the historic
win.
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Asia Hogan-Rochester is starting on the wing for Canada at the
World Cup and also won Olympic silver alongside Williams at the
Paris Games. When she's not competing, Hogan-Rochester helps
out coaching the junior programs at Westshore Rugby Football
Club in Colwood, B.C.
"She brought her Olympic medal out to the club to sort of do a
bit of a show and tell," said Westshore president Clancy
McDonnell. "So I think that you could sort of draw a line
between kids sort of saying, 'Oh, gosh, if I like rugby, and
then I try hard at rugby, then I can see a pathway to sort of
being involved in a senior club level. And then, if I'm really
applying myself, then I could potentially be going to the
Olympics and playing on the national team.'
"To have some of those senior athletes sort of give back to the
club, the rugby community and so on, the kids are into it, and
they respond well."
The Canadians finished fourth at the 2021 World Cup, falling to
England in the semifinal.
Canada vice-captain Sophie de Goede, a standout at the World
Cup tournament and a finalist for World Rugby's Women's player
of the year, hopes her team's current run translates into
growth both for future national teams and grassroots clubs.
"I think rugby echoes so many of Canada's values in terms of
being humble, hard-working and then enjoying community and
having a good time," she said. "I think that's a lot of what
rugby is about, especially at the club and community level. And
so I'd love to see more people being able to share in the sport
back home."
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