Sports
Sixteen Players Named to Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team for HSBC SVNS Vancouver
Sixteen players have been named to Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team ahead of the Teck Tri-Nations Challenge taking place alongside the 11th edition of HSBC SVNS Vancouver.
Captained by Victoria’s Lockie Kratz, Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team will play Japan and Chile in a double round robin at BC Place over March 7 and 8 ahead of participating in the second stop of HSBC SVNS 2, the next step in their journey towards promotion to the first tier of the HSBC SVNS Series.
“Vancouver is an important moment for this group. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate our growth and to represent the wider Canadian rugby system with pride… we’re determined to put on a performance that excites and inspires.” Said Head Coach Christiaan Esterhuizen.
Passes to HSBC SVNS Vancouver will give fans access to the Teck Tri-Nations Challenge. Tickets are available at vansevens.com.
Among the 16 players named to the roster, Josiah Morra is set to officially return to sevens for the first time since his appearance at the 2024 RAN Sevens. Edmonton-born scrum-half Brock Gallagher, who has earned 12 caps with Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team, is poised to make his sevens debut. Vancouver native Andy Cooper is also in line for his first appearance in the sevens format.
“We’re not chasing a moment in Vancouver – we’re building consistency. This weekend is about raising our standards in the details… if we get that right, it sets the tone for how we perform over the next two stops in South America. We want to leave Vancouver sharper and more connected than when we arrived.”
Jesse Kilgour, who made his international sevens debut in Hong Kong in 2024 and earned his first cap with Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team later that year in Bucharest, returns to competition following rehabilitation from a shoulder injury. Jesse will join his sister Eden in Vancouver who has been named to Canada’s Women’s Sevens Team.
Six members of the squad — Tremblay, Morra, Di Nardo, Black, Shaw, and Gallagher — recently represented Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team during their 2027 Rugby World Cup qualification campaign and autumn test matches, bringing valuable international experience to the lineup and leaning on Rugby Canada’s One Squad philosophy which allows players to transition between the 15s and 7s game.
In Vancouver, Head Coach of Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team Stephen Meehan joins Head Coach Christiaan Esterhuizen as assistant coach for the weekend. Together, they will lead the squad while further strengthening the cohesion and connectivity across programs — a collaborative approach that continues to drive Canadian rugby forward.
“Stephen’s involvement is part of our One Squad philosophy. When our programs align, we accelerate growth. That connection strengthens both environments and raises expectations across the system. It’s great having someone with Stephen’s experience around – his perspective adds real value to the group.”
Due to injury, Thomas Isherwood and Demetri Patterson were not available for selection. Kal Sager was not available for selection due to university commitments.
THE ROAD TO TIER 1 OF THE HSBC SVNS SERIES
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team claimed gold at the Rugby Americas North Sevens Tournament in November, earning qualification to the HSBC SVNS 3 Challenger.
In January, the team continued its strong performance by winning gold at the HSBC SVNS 3 Challenger in Dubai to secure a place in HSBC SVNS 2. SVNS 2 is a three-event series featuring Canada, Kenya, USA, Germany, Uruguay, and Belgium.
Canada opened the series with a sixth-place finish in Nairobi and will next compete in Montevideo (March 21–22) and São Paulo (March 28–29).
The top four teams at the conclusion of the HSBC SVNS 2 series will advance to join the eight core teams on the HSBC SVNS Series for the three-event SVNS World Championship. The Championship begins in Hong Kong (April 17–19), followed by Valladolid (May 29–31) and Bordeaux (June 5–7). The series will culminate with the crowning of the Men’s and Women’s World Champions, marking the finale of the newly formatted HSBC SVNS Series announced in 2025.
TICKETS
Tickets for HSBC SVNS Vancouver are available at vansevens.com. Questions regarding ticket purchases can be directed to tickets@vansevens.com. For more information on suites, please contact suites@vansevens.com. Please note that these inboxes will be monitored during regular office hours, Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm PT.
TECK TRI-NATIONS SCHEDULE
Saturday March 7
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Japan
2:23pm PT / 5:23pm ET
Watch on TSN2 & TSN+
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Chile
6:12pm PT / 9:12pm ET
Watch on TSN2 & TSN+
Sunday March 8
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Chile
2:01pm PT / 5:01pm ET
Watch on TSN1, TSN5, & TSN+
Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team vs Japan
5:04pm PT / 8:04pm ET
Watch on TSN4 & TSN+
CANADA’S MEN’S SEVENS TEAM VANCOUVER ROSTER
3. Ethan Turner (Maple Ridge, BC) – Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
6. Josiah Morra (Toronto, ON) – Balmy Beach RFC
7. Johnny Franklin (Bowen Island, BC) – Capilano RFC
10. Adam Doane (Sutton, ON) – Aurora Barbarians
13. Brenden Black (Oakville, ON) – Oakville Crusaders
14. D’Shawn Bowen (Toronto, ON) – James Bay AA / Agronomia Rugby
17. Jesse Kilgour (Oro-Medonte, ON) – Pacific Pride / Barrie RFC
18. Morgan Di Nardo (Toronto, ON) – Toronto Scottish / University of Victoria
22. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC
28. Henry Kirwan (Brighton, ENG) – Brighton Blues / Cardiff Metropolitan University
37. Ian Jones (Bass River, NS) – Ajax Wanderers / Pictou County
44. Lockie Kratz (Victoria, BC ) – Castaway Wanderers / UBCOB Ravens
55. Jack Shaw (Oakville, ON) – Castaway Wanderers / Oakville Crusaders
64. Elias Hancock (Ottawa, ON) – University of Ottawa / Bytown Blues
66. Andy Cooper (Vancouver, BC) – Meralomas RFC
98. Brock Gallagher (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC
Non-Traveling Reserves
Thomas Cuzagne (Toulon, France) – Pacific Pride
Reece Thompson (Minesing, ON) – University of Victoria / Barrie Rugby Club
Glenn Roy (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish
Unavailable / Injured
Demetri Patterson (West Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia
Ethan Fryer (Seattle, USA)
Kal Sager (Peterborough, ON) – Peterborough Pagans
Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia
Thomas Isherwood (Okotoks, AB) – Foothills Lions RFC / Westshore RFC
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Reveal 2026 “After Dark” Home Kit
Vancouver Rise FC has revealed its new “After Dark” home kit for the 2026 Northern Super League season, pulling inspiration straight from the natural setting that surrounds its home at Swangard Stadium.
The design pays tribute to Central Park in Burnaby, with visuals that reflect the quiet, layered beauty of the park at night. Tree silhouettes stretch across the kit, creating a sense of depth and movement—meant to mirror the experience of looking up through the canopy after dark.
The club says the concept ties closely to its motto, “Stronger by Nature,” grounding the team’s identity in the environment that surrounds it. The design blends all crest colours with added tones that bring warmth and balance, giving the kit a look that feels both rooted and refined. Paired with classic shorts and socks, it leans into tradition while still telling a clear local story.
A key detail returns on both the After Dark kit and the club’s secondary “Sunshine Kit” for 2026. A Gold Pointed Star sits on the left sleeve, marking Vancouver Rise FC as the inaugural champions of the Northern Super League. The patch represents the league’s top honour and signals the club’s early place in its history.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley praised the design and its connection to the community, pointing to the pride residents have in their parks and green spaces. He added that seeing Central Park reflected in the team’s identity makes the return to Swangard Stadium for the new season feel even more meaningful.
The After Dark kit leans heavily into place and atmosphere. It’s less about flash and more about identity—something that feels tied to where the team plays and who shows up for them.
Pre-orders for both the After Dark and Sunshine kits are now available through the club’s official store, with options for delivery or in-stadium pickup.
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Transfer Holly Ward to NWSL Side Seattle Reign FC
Vancouver Rise FC has made a major statement about its player development pathway. The club announced Friday that winger Holly Ward has been transferred to Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League for an undisclosed fee.
The move marks the first time a Rise FC Academy graduate has been transferred out of the club, setting a new benchmark for the organization and the broader Northern Super League.
Sporting director Stephanie Labbé called the transfer a defining moment. She pointed to Ward’s rise through the system as proof that the league is doing what it set out to do—create real opportunities for Canadian players.
Ward’s journey with the club began in 2018 when she joined the Rise FC Academy, then known as the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy. Seven years later, she returned home to sign her first professional deal ahead of the 2025 season.
The 22-year-old from North Vancouver wasted no time making an impact. She started 27 of 28 matches in her rookie campaign, scoring eight goals and adding five assists. Her biggest moment came in the league’s inaugural final, where she scored the winner in a 2–1 victory over AFC Toronto to secure the Diana B. Matheson Cup.
Speaking about the move, Ward described her time in Vancouver as a dream realized. Playing professionally in her hometown and helping deliver a championship made the experience hard to leave behind, though she expressed excitement about the next step in her career.
Her breakout season didn’t go unnoticed at the international level. Ward earned her first senior call-up to the Canadian women’s national team and made history on June 3 by becoming the first NSL player to score for Canada in a match against Haiti.
Head coach Anja Heiner-Møller praised Ward’s growth and character, highlighting her attacking ability, work ethic, and presence in the locker room. She noted that Ward’s development—from academy prospect to national team contributor—reflects the strength of the club’s environment.
The transfer is a significant step for Rise FC as it begins to participate in the global player market, something the club sees as key to long-term growth. It also reinforces the idea that young Canadian players can develop at home and still reach top leagues abroad.
Rise FC now turns its focus to the upcoming season. The club will open its 2026 campaign with a championship rematch against AFC Toronto on April 24 at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. PT.
Fans can purchase single-match tickets or explore package options, including season memberships that cover all 13 home games and flexible ticket bundles built around the home opener.