Rugby Canada names 7s team for Pan Ams

The Canadian Olympic Committee and Rugby Canada announced the 12 Men’s Rugby Sevens athletes who will represent Canada at the 2015 Pan American Games from July 10 to 26 in Toronto.  

The 2015 Pan Am Games mark only the second time men’s rugby sevens has been an official sport on the program. The sport made its debut at the 2011 Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, where Canada won gold.

The tournament will feature eight teams and will be played at Exhibition Stadium. 

Canada has been a core member of the HSBC Men’s Sevens World Series since the 2012/13 season, but has featured in every edition of the series dating back to its inaugural season in 1999/2000.

The team recorded its highest finish during the 2013/14 season, when they finished sixth overall. Canada also reached its lone Cup final during that season at the Glasgow Sevens.  

Canada finished ninth in 2014/15 but made the Cup quarterfinals in four of the last five tournaments. During the 2013 Sevens World Cup, Canada won the Shield Final. Over the last three seasons, Canada has claimed four Shield titles, three Bowl victories and a Plate win. 

In 2016, Canada will host a leg of the 2015/16 HSBC Men’s Sevens World Series in Vancouver at B.C. Place.

Canada will field the largest team in its Pan American Games history with more than 700 athletes expected to be named at the Toronto Games. With Toronto 2015 providing a “home Games” experience, as well as a number of qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, these Games will offer a tremendous experience for Canada’s high performance athletes.

“Our men’s rugby team won gold in Guadalajara - they are a force to be reckoned with. I know they have what it takes to dominate on the field here on home soil in July,” said Marcel Aubut president of the Canadian Olympic Committee, in a Rugby Canada press release.

“To represent Canada at the Pan Am games is a privilege in itself, but to do so in Toronto in front of our home crowd is something that we are very excited about. Our squad is shaping up well for the tournament with a number of world-class players returning from injury and keen to be involved in selection and I expect we will field some of the best players in the world in a Canadian shirt at this tournament. It is our intention to excel on the field and make the nation proud,” said Liam Middleton, Rugby Canada head coach in the release.

 “We can’t wait to build off our success from the 2011 Pan Am Games as we defend our gold medal on home soil. Being able to play in a tournament like this on Canadian soil is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we can’t wait to hit the field,” added national team captain John Moonlight.

The men’s rugby sevens contingent which will represent Canada at the Toronto 2015 Games includes:

Athletes:

Coaching and support staff:

Prior to being named to the final Canadian Pan American Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations towards the end of June 2015.