Women’s rugby sevens wasn’t part of the Canada Summer Games lineup when Amanda Andres was growing up in St. Catharines and playing rugby at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School before going on to Brock University for a year.
That was about 10 years ago, and sevens, once lost in the shadow of the 15-aside version, has taken off in popularity since then. It is now an Olympic sport and this week made its Canada Summer Games debut at the quadrennial event taking place throughout the Niagara region.
Andres, the manager and an assistant coach of the team presenting Ontario at the Games, doesn’t consider herself a victim of bad timing and wishing she could compete on the pitch rather than offering support from the sidelines.
“I mean there is always the itch to want to play rugby, but I think for me I find giving back to the game and being able to support these athletes is more valuable…
