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HSBC 2025 SVNS Vancouver Day 1 – Recap & Photos
Canada Women made a triumphant return to Vancouver after securing a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, thrilling fans with two dominant victories. Charity Williams wasted no time, scoring her 100th HSBC SVNS Series try in the opening moments against Brazil before quickly adding another to reach 101. The team carried that momentum forward, delivering a seven-try spectacle against Spain and securing the top spot in Pool A heading into day two.
Reflecting on her milestone, Williams shared, “That’s probably the milestone for me that I’m really proud of. I’m really proud of myself for being in the game for as long as I have. It was awesome to get the ball from our captain who has been wonderful and it felt good touch that one down for sure.
“It brings me back to the very beginning when I was 16 or 17 and I think I scored my first try in Brazil, it literally feels like a lifetime ago and I was like a baby then and I had no idea what was in store for me. To look back and see that I’ve been here for over a decade, I’m just really grateful.”
Meanwhile, Olympic champions New Zealand maintained their dominance in Pool B with two convincing wins. Michaela Blyde continued her record-breaking form, scoring five of the team’s 10 tries against Ireland. In doing so, she surpassed fellow New Zealander Portia Woodman-Wickliffe to set a new tournament record of 260 tries, helping propel the team into Saturday’s quarter-finals.
Over in Pool C, Japan closed out day one at the top after securing wins against Fiji and Great Britain. France, however, will need to regroup after suffering back-to-back losses. Their upcoming match against Japan is a must-win if they hope to keep their quarter-final dreams alive.
The biggest shock of the day came in the final moments, as Brazil pulled off a stunning upset over second-placed Australia, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown on day two.
Read the Day 1 Women’s Report.
One of the standout clashes of the men’s tournament saw South Africa edge out New Zealand 12-10 in a thrilling, end-to-end battle. They followed up with an impressive win over Ireland, securing their place at the top of Pool B at the end of day one.
In Pool A, Great Britain kicked off their campaign with a commanding 26-7 victory over France, but their path to the quarter-finals remains uncertain after a narrow loss to Argentina. The outcome will be decided on day two.
Over in Pool C, Spain continued their strong run in the series, notching victories over both the USA and Uruguay. They now share the top spot with Fiji, who also secured maximum points against the same opponents.
The pool stage resumes at 10:30 (GMT-8) on Saturday, leading into the quarter-finals in the afternoon. The action culminates on Sunday, with finals day kicking off at 10:50, and the men’s and women’s championship matches set for 17:05 and 17:41, respectively.
Following the format introduced in Perth, the women’s final will once again serve as the tournament’s grand finale, bringing HSBC SVNS Vancouver to an electrifying close.
This year’s Vancouver SVNS festival is bigger than ever, celebrating its 10th anniversary as the Canadian leg of the series. Alongside world-class rugby sevens action featuring 12 of the best men’s and women’s teams—packed with Olympic stars—fans can enjoy a variety of entertainment, including global food options, live music, interactive activities like a snowball obstacle course, and, for the first time in SVNS Series history, a competitive axe-throwing showdown featuring team captains.
Beyond BC Place, the excitement continues with seven rugby-themed light installations scattered across downtown Vancouver throughout the weekend, building on the success of a similar fan-favourite activation seen during Taylor Swift’s recent visit to the city.
Check out our favourite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
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NSL Vancouver Rise FC Fall 1-0 to Halifax Tides FC at Swangard Stadium
Vancouver Rise FC came up just short on a cloudy Saturday afternoon at Swangard Stadium, falling 1-0 to Halifax Tides FC after an own goal proved to be the difference. The match was played under overcast skies with a bit of rain coming and going throughout the afternoon.
Before kickoff, Rise FC took a moment to celebrate inaugural NSL champion Mariah Lee, who played her final game with the club. Lee announced earlier this week that she is retiring from soccer and will be attending NYU School of Law to pursue a career in law.
Once the match got underway, Halifax came out with early pressure and forced Rise FC into some defending. Goalkeeper Morgan McAslan was ready for the challenge, making several smart saves in the opening minutes to keep the game scoreless.
Rise FC began to settle into the match after the first 10 minutes. Anaïs Oularbi sent a dangerous free-kick cross into the box, with Jessica De Filippo nearly getting a touch on it before an outstretched heel from Tides FC goalkeeper Anika Toth kept the ball out.
Five minutes later, Tori Tumeth came close from a corner-kick routine. Quinn curled a cross toward the back post for the defender, but Tumeth’s header came from a tight angle and went straight into the hands of Toth.
Camila Reyes had two chances of her own. Her first came from a free kick just outside the box, with her shot taking a deflection off the wall and going behind for a corner. Around the 25th minute, a loose ball fell to Reyes at the edge of the area, but her left-footed half-volley sailed over the crossbar.
The two sides continued to trade attacks as the first half progressed, with neither defence giving the other much room to work.
Rise FC nearly forced the game’s opening goal late in the half. A slick team move found Jaime Perrault on the right side of the box, where the winger beat her marker before driving a cross into the penalty area. A Tides FC defender got a touch to the ball and sent it just over the crossbar.
The first half ended scoreless, with both sides still searching for a breakthrough.
Rise FC came out with purpose after the break. De Filippo nearly redirected a cross from Anna Bout, but her header skimmed just past the near post.
The game’s only goal came soon after, though it was an unfortunate one for Rise FC. A Tides FC corner was whipped into the box and De Filippo got the final touch, inadvertently redirecting the ball into her own net to give Halifax a 1-0 lead.
Rise FC responded by pushing players forward in search of an equalizer. Substitute Racquel Partovi nearly found it in the 80th minute, cutting inside from the left before curling a shot toward the top corner. Toth came up with a big save to keep Halifax in front.
Partovi came close again in the dying minutes, sending a diving effort agonizingly wide of the post. De Filippo then had another opportunity, heading a ball into the side netting as Rise FC continued to press.
The late chances weren’t enough, though, as Halifax held on for all three points. Rise FC had several opportunities to get back into the match but couldn’t find the finishing touch they needed.
Vancouver will have little time to dwell on the result, with Montreal Roses FC coming to Swangard Stadium on Wednesday, July 29. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT. Tickets are available here.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
NSL VANCOUVER RISE FC V HALIFAX TIDES FC
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
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WNBA – A Record Breaking Night in Montreal as the Toronto Tempo Took on the Dallas Wings
Dallas Wings 108, Toronto Tempo 95 – Friday, July 10, 2026 – Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
History was made in Montreal before the ball was even tipped. As part of the Tempo Cross-Canada Series, the Toronto Tempo and Dallas Wings drew 20,996 fans to the Bell Centre, a new WNBA regular-season attendance record, eclipsing the 20,711 mark set by the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena in 2024. It’s a number that speaks to the surging momentum behind women’s basketball in Canada, even if the result didn’t go Toronto’s way.
A Shootout Between Stars
The Tempo came out firing behind All-Star guard Marina Mabrey, who scored 17 of her game-high 34 points in the first quarter alone en route to a 33-25 lead after one. But Dallas had an answer of its own in Paige Bueckers, who matched Mabrey point for point with 34 of her own, willing the Wings back into it as the game stayed tight into the fourth.
Toronto got big nights from up and down the roster. Laura Juskaite poured in a career-high 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting, Isabelle Harrison added 18 points and eight rebounds, and María Conde dished a career-high nine assists to go with 12 points. Four Tempo players finished in double figures, a strong offensive showing that ultimately wasn’t enough.
The Fourth Quarter Turned It
The game was tied at 85 heading into the final period, with 11 lead changes and 12 ties on the night reflecting just how even the contest was. But Dallas seized control down the stretch. Alysha Clark was perfect from the field in the fourth, hitting all four of her attempts, including two threes, for 10 points, while the Wings’ defense clamped down on Toronto, holding the Tempo to just 10 points in the frame. Bueckers added 7 more in the quarter, and Dallas outscored Toronto 24-10 to pull away for the 108-95 final.
Jessica Shepard was steady all night for the Wings, finishing with 17 rebounds and 20 points, while Arike Ogunbowale chipped in 20 points and 7 assists off strong perimeter shooting.
By the Numbers
– Leading scorers: Mabrey (TOR) and Bueckers (DAL) – 34 each
– Leading rebounder: Shepard (DAL) – 17
– Assist leader: Conde (TOR) – 9
– Field goals: Toronto 54.7% (35-64) | Dallas 52.7% (39-74)
– Turnovers: Toronto 14 | Dallas 7
The Tempo will close out their stay in Montreal on Saturday, July 12 at 3 p.m., when they face the New York Liberty in the second game of the Cross-Canada Series, presented by CIBC and Sephora. Tickets are on sale now on evenko.ca.
Check out our favourite photos of the game below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
TORONTO TEMPO v DALLAS WINGS
All Photo Credit: Kieran Delport