The Vikes put up a fight, losing only to UBC, and will host the next leg of the tournament this weekend
Photo by Chase Carter via govikesgo.com
The Vikes Women’s Rugby team started their Canada West 7s season strong on Jan. 24-25, winning four out of five games. They beat Lethbridge 45-10 in the first match of the day, a cathartic win after their loss to Lethbridge in last year’s 7s. Despite their loss to the UBC Thunderbirds in the final game of the tournament, the Vikes are looking forward to the upcoming games.
The 7s are a simplified version of rugby, featuring seven players on each team, instead of the usual 15. The games are fast-paced and packed with action, sprints, and tries. CanWest Rugby 7s consists of three tournaments, the first of which was in Edmonton, where the Vikes came in second place. The next leg of the tournament will be hosted here in Victoria, on Feb. 7-8 at Wallace Field.
Each tournament consists of five 14-minute games where anything can happen at any moment. Because of the limited time, the 7s are unpredictable. However, having the next tournament on their home turf may offer the Vikes more predictable conditions, despite the tough competition.
“Having a home game definitely gives you a bit of that advantage, just to have a familiar face, and your routine is a lot more similar to what it is during the week in practices,” Olivia Newsome, fourth-year Vikes rugby player, said. This could lead to a more relaxed and comfortable game for them, something Newsome says the team is looking forward to.
The Martlet spoke with Newsome and second-year Ivy Poetker, who were named a “dynamic duo” by CanWest following their performance in Edmonton, and placed on the CanWest Rugby 7s Dream Team for the 2026 season. Their brilliant performance in Edmonton helped them achieve this spot on the CanWest’s dream team, amongst a field of other talented players. This is a huge honour, and something many players strive for, due to the recognition it can get you in the USports community.
Losing the last game was frustrating, Poetker said, but it has placed them in a great spot to grow as a team. The Vikes have 22 players on their training squad for the 7s, and from the 14 players selected to play last tournament, six were rookies. The rookies debuted in Edmonton and had an amazing tournament, Poetker said.
Speed, and the Vikes’ ability to score when they get the ball, have been two of their strengths in the 7s. In preparation for the next tournament, the Vikes are working on their defensive pressure, and how to read their opponents. This preparation includes reviewing footage from their games to develop strategies, identify their weaknesses, and learn more about their competitors’ style of play, weaknesses, and how the Vikes can successfully play against them.
The team’s success is dependent on their belief in each other, Poetker says, and their ability to have constant fun. “It’s the games that we play in between,” she said, adding that fun is a core value for the Vikes, and the team works hard to maintain that environment while balancing rugby practice, games, and a heavy course load.
As varsity athletes, they have to make tough choices both on and off the field, and choose to prioritize rugby over other opportunities. “When we’re not playing and training together, or conditioning, lifting, or doing speed [training], we really do our best to do something together because we like each other,” Poetker said.
If you want to cheer on the Vikes Women’s Rugby team, you can catch them this weekend (Feb. 7-8) at Wallace Field. There will be food trucks, fans, high energy, and men’s games in between. It’s bound to be a great game. After all, when they get the ball, they score.
