Ottawa welcomed the Canadian Women’s Rugby Team to the nation’s capital this week ahead of the Canada-United States match on Friday and the team’s upcoming journey to the World Cup.
The team was greeted by Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to the National Art Gallery on Tuesday on the road to the World Cup, which will be held in England in August. The Canadian team currently holds second place in the international ranking.
On Friday, the team will also be playing against the United States at TD Place.
“Fans here in Ottawa are going to get to see this incredible team in action before you get overseas,” Sutcliffe said in his remarks. “I’m really looking forward to the game on Friday… to face off against the United States of America. I don’t know whether you’re allowed to have your elbows up in rugby, but anyway, it’s going to be a very interesting match.”
Sutcliffe went on to say that he’s dedicated to supporting women’s sports and hoping to host “more and more” rugby events in the city.
“Thank you for everything you do to inspire women and girls in sports. Congratulations on making Team Canada,” he said. “Thank you for representing our country, and good luck at the World Cup.”
The event was more than a little nostalgic for Claire Gallagher, the team’s fly-half who is a University of Ottawa Health Sciences alum from the class of 2023.
Gallagher, who was born in Caledon, Ont., plays for the Leicester Tigers. She was previously with the Aurora Barbarians.
She came to Ottawa a few days early, she told Ottawa Compass, to revisit some of her old haunts.
“I was able to go to an Ottawa Rapids soccer game, so that was really cool. I went to the University and was able to come back and see my friends, hit all the spots around campus,” she said. “I’ve been showing some of the girls on the team my favorite spots in Ottawa, like the coffee shops and secret swimming spots.”
It was a full-circle moment to return, she added, after playing rugby for the Geegees during her studies.
“Two years ago, we played here and I got my first cap in Ottawa. So that was super special,” she said, referencing her debut for the Canadian national team. “Coming back, I’m seeing all the university girls that I played with who were younger when I was on the team, and now they’re hopefully seeing they can be here one day, too.
“I looked up to girls on the team, when I wasn’t here quite yet. So that’s really special to be that person for them.”
