The team capped off their season with a gritty win against UBC, leaving the pitch with a 13-2 record
Photo via govikesgo.ca.
The Vikes women’s rugby 7s team closed their season by defeating their rivals, the UBC Thunderbirds, 26-5. This triumphant win was achieved on the very same field where the 15s team previously suffered a bitter loss to UBC in the U Sports championship in November 2025.
Finishing the Canada West 7s series with a 13-2 record over the span of three tournaments, the team secured the silver medal. The secret to their 5-0 tournament sweep was not just tactical — it was a team effort to let go of intense pressure, and play to enjoy the game together as a unit, according to Head Coach Brittany Waters and third-year Fly Half/Centre Maggie Mackinnon.
Returning to the Thunderbird Stadium to face UBC carried emotional weight for the team. Waters noted that revisiting the site of the previous loss for the 15s championship added extra motivation for the 7s team.
“There were some feelings going into that tournament, being on that same field … it’s nice to have a chance to change the narrative,” said Waters. “It’s always nice to win against your rival. We just tried to focus on what we are putting out on the field … and play for each other.”
Mackinnon emphasized that discarding stress prior to their games is a key to their success. “We play the best rugby when we are having fun … we might as well just give it our all and really enjoy it,” Mackinnon said. She said the team goes into every single game with a competitive mindset, aiming to “be brave.”
The team’s approach to view the game as an opportunity to play with joy and unity translated into a dominant final match against UBC. UVic’s standout performance across the final tournament resulted in Mackinnon, Ella O’Regan, and Vanessa Chiappetta being named to the Canada West Dream Team.
For players like Mackinnon, who have watched this team evolve, the program’s high expectations encourage them to battle for better results.
“We still feel like that is not enough … I express a lot of gratitude for the fact that we have such high standards for ourselves,” Mackinnon said regarding their silver medal.
“In those moments … we still want more and I think that keeps us pushing forward … even after amazing placements.”
With the Canada West 7s series concluded, the team’s groundbreaking performances have established a new legacy, as they look forward to the 15s season in the fall. “With 22 wins out of 25 games, we have never had that success before,” Waters said, adding that the incoming players are “stepping into a whole new standard.”
