Article content

The challenge of just making the team isn’t something that rugby sevens superstar Jen Kish is used to.

Week in, week out, she has to prove her worth.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Canada Sevens: Ex-captain Jen Kish relishes fighting for squad spot Back to video

That didn’t used to be the case. She was the captain, after all.

But after leading Canada’s women’s team to Olympic bronze last summer in Rio, she took a step back this season.

“I’m back to that 16 year old, not sure I’m going to make the team,” she said this week during a break in preparation for this weekend’s Canada Women’s Sevens in Langford (Saturday, Sunday, kickoff each day 10:30 a.m. PT, TSN).

“It’s nice to have that feeling again.”

After five years training and living in Langford near Victoria, the 28 year old has moved her life back to her hometown of Edmonton. That’s where her family, friends and, most importantly, partner Nadene are.

Photo by Sean Kilpatrick / Canadian Press files

“I’m having my cake and eating it, too,” Kish admits about the arrangement, which her coach John Tait fully supports. “I’m able to be home with my partner and friends and family who I’ve missed for five years.”