Combination of new and returning talent has team poised for a great season, says Coach
Photo via govikesgo.com.
The University of Victoria (UVic) Women’s Rugby team opened their 2025–2026 season on the road with a victory against the UBC Thunderbirds, their Canada West rivals, on Aug. 30th at the Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre.
The Vikes took home the victory 19–15 against the Thunderbirds, with notable plays from ShonDreya Smardon, Maggie Mackinnon, Ivy Poetker, and Shaye Ogurek.
Head Coach Brittany Waters returned for her 11th season, hot on the heels of a summer coaching Canada’s U20 Women’s sevens squad to a bronze medal at the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay. Under her leadership, the Vikes have reached the Canada West podium every year, and have won a U Sports championship silver medal in the last two seasons.
In an interview with the Martlet, Waters said that they are starting off strong, and hopefully finishing even stronger. “We are coming off of a very exciting past two years,” she said. “Finishing with a silver medal at the U Sports championship two years in a row, with many returning players from that championship, and a very exciting recruiting class.”
Waters said this year’s new recruits “will push the current athletes, which is what you want every year. You want to be better every year.” Some new notable players to look out for this season include ShonDreya Smardon, Kira Smed and Samara Sadden.
Smardon arrives from Ottawa with a lengthy and impressive athletic history, and plenty of promise. She made her first try as a Vike in her debut game against the Thunderbirds this past weekend, bringing the score to 19 points and helping the team solidify their win.
Hailing from Calgary, Smed is known for her strength, rugby IQ, powerful ball-carrying, and dependable plays. These qualities made her one of her home team’s — the Calgary Mavericks’ — hardest line runners.
Sadden, a first-year student at UVic, joins the Vikes from Edmonton as a back row player. With her determination, resilience, and character setting her apart, she is expected to make an immediate impact and grow into a key player for the Vikes.
These three first-years have all represented Canada at the national U18 level, making them names to remember and to look out for.
Team culture will help these new and returning players prosper through the season, and many seasons to come. “When the athletes feel valued and included, they perform the best,” said Waters. “Getting the culture right … whatever their role is, making sure they feel valued … that uplifts everybody.”
“We have one of the strongest team cultures in the U Sports and it’s been a huge driver for our success on and off the field,” she said.
After their training camp at Shawnigan Lake School, the team is connecting and working together better than ever. “The new recruits showed off very well at the training camp, and are fitting in seamlessly,” said Waters.”
With lots of experienced returning players, it is easier for the team to implement more right off the bat, both on and off the field. Sierra Gillis, Maggie Mackinnon, and Carissa Norsten are key returning players this season
These three are some of the biggest powerhouses on the team. Norsten is an Olympic silver medalist, U Sports First Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star. Gillis is a key component on the Vikes front row, who appeared in all 10 matches last season. Mackinnon started all 10 matches, and earned U Sports First Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star honours, along with being named UVic’s Female Athlete of the Year.
“UVic has one of the deepest rosters in the country, which is what makes them a continued podium threat year after year,” said Kelley O’Grady, Vikes Communications Officer in a statement to the Martlet.
Waters told the Martlet that she thinks the team is already ahead of where they were in the middle of last season. From the powerful new players, award-winning returning vets, and the Rugby team’s recent victory over the Thunderbirds, the season is looking up for the Vikes.
The Vikes will be traveling to the University of Leithbridge for their next game, Saturday, Sept 13 at 7pm MT. Tickets can be purchased here.
