CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Harvard Women's Rugby senior Ava Ference will be playing for Team Canada at the upcoming 2026 FISU World Championship Rugby Sevens. The games will take place in Stellenbosch, South Africa, between Sept. 4-6. Team Canada will be amongst seven other teams competing for the world title.
Hailing from British Columbia, Canada, Ference is one of 12 players drawing from 10 universities across Canada and the United States. Having previously represented Canada at the U20 level, Ference was named as one of three captains in February for the 2026 7s campaign and the upcoming 15s season.
Last year during the 15s season, Ference led the Crimson with 50 points as Harvard went on to win its third straight NIRA national championship. Harvard enters the 15s season with four national titles to its credit, which is the most of any program in the country.
Team Canada has a strong history competing at this event, having won three previous world university titles since sevens rugby joined the FISU program in 2004. The team will be coached by Chelsea Ross and Robin MacDowell, who have led Team Canada rugby teams at past global competitions.
The women's team is scheduled to play three pool-play games prior to playoffs:
Sept. 4
Sept. 5
Sept. 6
