Albertans representing Canada have sights set on Women’s Rugby World Cup

Canada's McKinley Hunt scores a try, during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool B match between Scotland and Canada, at Sandy Park, in Exeter, England, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)

Athletes from Alberta are representing Canada at this year’s Women’s Rugby Union World Cup in the U.K., and they say they’ve got province and prairie pride.

Courtney O’Donnell of Rimbey, Alta., said playing on the Canada Women’s National Union Rugby Team for a shot at the semi-finals means it’s “go time.”

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“We’re ready to go and ready to execute,” she told CTV News Edmonton in an interview last week.

Rimbey is about 143 kilometres south of Edmonton. O’Donnell herself attended the University of Alberta in the city for a couple of years.

“There are a couple of girls, mostly in the forwards, from Alberta, and we always pride ourselves on being the Alberta beef,” she added.

O’Donnell, who plays as a second row, began her rugby career in Grade 8 and soon called the Red Deer Titans her home club.

She joined the country’s senior team at 18 years old in 2017 and has been there ever since.

Now in England and vying for a spot in the Sept. 27 World Cup finals, O’Donnell said the team is taking it game by game.

“We obviously have our sights set on that final … but nothing’s guaranteed,” she said.

The team recently beat Scotland 40-19 in their last Saturday game. They’re currently first place in Pool B.

They’re now set to play Australia in the quarter finals on Saturday in Bristol.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti