The UBC Thunderbirds are on the brink of a historic third consecutive Women’s Rugby 7s championship as they enter the final weekend of the 2025 season. With an undefeated 10-0 record from the first two tournaments, they need just three more victories in Langley to claim the Canada West title.
UBC holds a commanding lead in the standings, three games ahead of Victoria and Trinity Western. As the final tournament’s host, Trinity Western will look to challenge the Thunderbirds’ dominance, but UBC remains focused on finishing strong.
“We are excited to compete in the tournament and complete our season with our best performance yet,” said UBC head coach Darcy Patterson. “The Canada West teams have been improving, and we want to continue raising our game as well.”
Key Players Shine for UBC
UBC’s dominance this season has been fueled by standout performances from multiple players. Three Thunderbirds were named to the seven-player “Dream Team” after the Victoria tournament two weeks ago. Kiki Idowu made her second consecutive appearance, joined by Shalaya Valenzuela and Skye Farish.
Patterson praised her team’s growth, particularly on defense, which played a crucial role in their success at the Victoria stop.
“The team has really been working on their defensive system and executing their roles,” she said. “Their focus in this area led to a lot of turnovers and transition plays, which was exciting to see. It was also great to have more players contributing on the scoresheet.”
In Victoria, 11 of the 13 Thunderbirds on the roster scored tries, including first-year player Mary Sieker, who recorded her first career UBC try. Maintaining this well-balanced attack will be key as they prepare for five matches in just over 26 hours.
Tournament Schedule and Final Push
UBC begins their tournament on Friday at 10:44 a.m. (PT) against Calgary, followed by Alberta at 12:44 p.m. and a showdown with hosts Trinity Western at 2:44 p.m. Saturday’s action sees them take on Lethbridge at 10:22 a.m. before a potential title-deciding matchup against rivals UVic at 12:44 p.m.
Heading into the final stretch, Patterson emphasized the importance of enjoying the moment.
“Our main focus is on the joy of playing one last tournament together and expressing all the hard work we’ve put in this season,” she said. “The team has trained well, and our goal is to stay fresh, have fun, and stay true to our mantra—Fierce, United, and Never Quitting.”
UBC now looks to cap off their dominant season with another title and continue their reign as the best in Canada West.
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