Women’s soccer, with the World Cup raging in France, and women’s sevens rugby, with its Olympic inclusion, have gained world media notice.
Time will tell if women’s XVs rugby can do the same. If it does, Sophie de Goede will be among the vanguard leading the way. The emerging star from Victoria made just her second Test match one to remember as she scored 11 points on a penalty kick and four converts in a 36-19 victory this week over France in the Women’s Super Series in Chula Vista, California.
Third-ranked Canada began the tournament, featuring the top-five ranked teams in the world, with a 35-20 loss to No. 1 New Zealand as de Goede earned her first cap and scored her first Test try.
Canada finishes with Super Series games Saturday against England and July 10 against the United States.
“It’s so exciting to wear the Maple Leaf and be capped. I’ve looked forward to this for so long,” said de Goede, by phone from Chula Vista.
De Goede comes by her love of rugby naturally through her family. Dad Hans de Goede is the Vic High and James Bay Athletic Association legend who captained Canada in the first-ever men’s World Cup in 1987 and mom Stephanie White captained Canada in the first women’s World Cup. It doesn’t get any higher up than that genetically in terms of Canadian rugby royalty.
“We watched a lot of rugby. We would just throw on tapes on the TV,” said de Goede, with a chuckle.
“But my parents never pressured me to play. They were always encouraging me to do whatever activities I wanted. That’s why I played so many different sports growing up.”
Sophie de Goede came out of Oak Bay High as an all-rounder and has continued as a rare two-sport varsity athlete in U Sports as a rugby and basketball player at Queen’s University as she studies for a degree in commerce. Entering her third season, the 20-year-old Islander plans on playing rugby and basketball for the full five seasons of eligibility, especially with Queen’s set to host the U Sports national championships in both women’s rugby and hoops in her fourth year.
But there is little doubt what sport she will pursue internationally. With the best possible sounding boards available to her.
“My parents never force advice on me, but I’m always asking them for it,” said de Goede.
“They have so much experience. I love listening to stories about their playing days.”
Comfortable in both the second and back rows, de Goede is also an able kicker.
“It’s a team game. You can’t kick points unless your team moves the ball within range or crosses the line,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Super Series tournament is getting a big-time push right from the top.
“As part of the women’s strategic plan, accelerating the global development of women in rugby, one of the key strands is to increase competitiveness of international rugby across the women’s game,” said Sir Bill Beaumont, chairman of World Rugby.
“The Women’s Super Series . . . offers more quality playing opportunities.”
Players from Island clubs on the Canadian roster include de Goede and Gabrielle Senft from Castaway Wanderers, Paige Farries, Amanda Thornborough and Elissa Alarie, all of Westshore RFC, and Tyson Beukeboom from the Cowichan Piggies.
The next women’s World Cup is in 2021.
“This is a good opportunity for the top teams to meet midway between World Cups,” said de Goede.
