Lizzie Gibson, the 25‑year‑old back‑rower from Caledon, Ontario, is poised to play a pivotal role when Canada meets England in the WXV Global Series at BMO Field on Friday. Having earned her master’s in urban planning and celebrated the achievement with her first ever skydive, Gibson has quickly become a regular starter for the Canadian women’s rugby team after her debut earlier this year.
Early International Impact
Gibson made her international debut off the bench in April, helping Canada to a 36‑14 Pacific Four Series loss to New Zealand in Kansas City. Since then she has featured in all four subsequent matches, starting the last three and scoring four tries. Reflecting on her rapid rise, she said: “It’s very surreal. It’s a dream come true, honestly,” Gibson said in an interview. “I’m just soaking in every single moment and tying to relish every single second with the girls.Canadian women’s rugby team look for long‑awaited win over England’s Red Roses on home turf“It’s been so much fun on and off the field.”
Building a Rugby Career
The Canadian coaching staff has long recognised Gibson’s potential, with head coach Kevin Rouet describing her as “knocking on the door” for three years. He noted: “She’s in a good head space,” he added. “She’s a mature rugby player, so yes she’s new to the game but she’s not new to the Canada system. It’s fun to see someone knocking at the door and grinding. When you release them, they prove they’re fully ready to challenge teammates and also be very good against top opposition.” Canada’s back‑row depth includes Gabrielle Senft, Julia Omokhuale, Fabiola Forteza, Pamphinette Buisa, Rachel Smith and Caroline Crossley, while Sophie de Goede has moved to second row to accommodate the talent.
Gibson’s journey to the national team began at Queen’s University, where she set a U Sports record with 571 points over five seasons (2019 and 2022‑25) despite a pandemic interruption and a knee injury. A gifted hockey and soccer player – she was once invited to a Canadian under‑17 soccer camp as a goalkeeper – she discovered rugby in high school after friends persuaded her to skip lacrosse tryouts for a tour of Wales. “It was so much fun and I was good at it,” she said. After helping Mayfield Secondary School capture the OFSAA title in Grade 12, she progressed through provincial ranks and the Canadian under‑20 side, shifting from fly‑half/centre to flanker.
Looking Ahead
Off the field, Gibson completed her postgraduate studies in urban planning in New Zealand earlier this year, training with the Alhambra Broncos and Otago Spirit. It was there she experienced her first tandem parachute jump, recalling: “Those are the exact words that my mom used,” Gibson said with a chuckle. “I let her know afterwards when I landed safely on the ground.” She added: “I would 100 per cent do it again, but I’m not allowed to tell my mom until after it happens again,” she said, and noted she would aim for a higher altitude next time: “I would go from higher, I only went from 12,000 feet and you can go up to 15,000. Next time I’ll do the 15,000.”
Rugby Canada anticipates a crowd exceeding 18,000 for the BMO Field showdown, with a rematch scheduled for Ottawa on 23 October. Gibson hopes her national‑team performances will open doors to a professional club contract overseas after the WXV series concludes.
Why it Matters
Gibson’s rapid ascent underscores the growing depth and competitiveness of Canada’s women’s rugby programme, highlighting how athletes from diverse sporting backgrounds can thrive in the fifteen‑a‑side game. Her story also illustrates the increasing professional pathways available to Canadian women athletes, both on the pitch and in academic pursuits, signalling a bright future for the sport in the country.
