The Canada Games, held in Niagara Ontario, began August 6 and lasted for 2 weeks. Walsh explained that when she and her teammates arrived they had a few days to settle in and practice before they had to face-off against any other provinces.

Rugby sevens was scheduled to play from Monday to Wednesday.

Their first game was against Newfoundland and Labrador, where, according to Walsh, her team . . .

really came together. Quebec won the game with the final score landing at 33-0.

“It was really nice to see because we had been practicing for so long,” said Walsh, when describing her first game with her team Quebec teammates.

After this game, team Quebec went on to play British Columbia. Walsh described this team as the “powerhouse of rugby in the country.” The team lost this game. Despite this loss, they continued on to defeat teams in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, securing their spot in the finals.

The finals were against British Columbia. Piper explained that team Quebec made sure to prioritize having fun on the pitch while they were competing as it would be their last time competing together at the Canada Games.

“Even though the finals were against British Columbia we wanted to focus on having fun together as a team and playing well our last time together,” said Walsh.

Walsh explained that most sevens tournaments last a few days, however this tournament was especially grueling as the players were playing a total of seven games over three days. This meant that the players had to play through their tired muscles and pain.

“By day three, you’re used to it. You’re used to being in pain, you’re used to hurting, but the games go on. So although it was difficult at first, you just got used to being in the environment,” noted Walsh.

Despite the pain and the high stakes, Rugby’s notion of camaraderie that Walsh loves still came through during the tournament. Walsh recalled that each day before the games began, team Quebec would put on “I Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain. The players would dance to the song to help calm their nerves and loosen them up.

By the second day, team British Columbia asked to join in to team Quebec’s dance party. Without hesitation Walsh’s team agreed.

Right before the teams from British Columbia, Quebec and Ontatrio stepped on the podium, the three played the song and all danced together.

“You can compete on pitch but once the game’s over and the ref blows the whistle she is just another rugby player. And all rivalries stay on the field,” Walsh said about the contact sport.

Walsh had a cheering squad of both her parents and her grandparents, who she had not seen for a few years and who made the trip from Saskatchewan to watch her play.

The final scores for team Quebec in the tournament:

Monday:

Quebec vs Newfoundland: 33-0

British Columbia vs Quebec : 26-5

Tuesday:

Quebec vs Manitoba: 44-0

Quebec vs Prince Edward Island: 10-0

Wednesday:

Quarter-finals: Quebec vs Alberta: 26-15

Semi finals: Quebec vs Nova Scotia: 17-12

Finals: British Columbia vs Quebec: 38-0

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