Two former Lethbridge 'Horns headed to Women's Rugby World Cup

LETHBRIDGE, AB – After one last opportunity to impress national team brass in June at a Can-Am Series in Vancouver, two former Pronghorns have been named to the Canadian women’s rugby national team that will compete in the Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) in August in London, England.

 

Reigning CIS Player of the Year Ashley Patzer, a mainstay in the National program is joined by Paige Knauf (nee: Burdett) on the World Cup squad.

 

Patzer capped her collegiate career this past fall leading the Pronghorns to its third consecutive CIS National title and headlined the most successful graduating class in Pronghorns history. In addition to the three CIS titles, she also captained four consecutive conference titles.

 

Patzer will go down in Pronghorn history as its most decorated Rugby player, winning three national titles, two CIS and Canada West Players of the year and a four-time Canada West All-Star and CIS All-Canadian awards.

 

Knauf last played for the Horns in 2005, was a member the Pronghorn group that is credited with spearheading the Horns move towards national prominence; Paige was also a member of the first Horns team to compete at the CIS tournament, finishing second in 2003 in Edmonton.

 

Paige was also a two-time Canada West All-Star and a 2004 CIS All-Canadian.

Ashley MacDonald, a third former pronghorn who also participated in the Can-Am Series in Vancouver, was named a non-traveling reserve.

 

After beginning her university career in her home province with the University of Prince Edward Island, where she was a CIS All-Canadian, MacDonald transferred to the University of Lethbridge for her final two seasons. During her two years as a Horn, Ashley was a member of two conference and national champions, earning Canada West All-Star and CIS All-Canadian accolades during both seasons.

 

The 2010 edition will be the sixth Women’s Rugby World Cup.

There are three pools of 12 teams that have been seeded according to the 2006 WRWC results. After the pool phase, the teams will be reseeded based on the position they finished in their respective pool.

Two venues will host the 2010 WRWC in London. Most of the matches will be played at the Surrey Sports Park. The Twickenham Stoop, home of the NEC Harlequins, will host the semi-finals and finals.

Canada will play the opening match of the 2010 WRWC when they kickoff against Scotland August 20th at 12pm BST.

Source:

Lethbridge Sports Info