To say Brittany Waters is busy may be the understatement of the rugby season.

article continues below

When Waters finishes playing for Canada in the 2017 World Cup in Ireland, she will return home to coach the University of Victoria women’s team. The Vikes trial camp starts the day after Waters arrives back from the World Cup.

“A lot of the preparation for the Vikes season is done beforehand,” Waters said of how she manages to juggle all the rugby balls in her life.

“Having played at the international level gives me a better understanding of the game [as a coach].”

If that isn’t enough to keep her busy, Waters is an occupational therapist at Victoria General and Royal Jubilee hospitals.

“I like both the balance and change I have in my life,” she said.

It’s a mantra Waters imparts to her Vikes players when they ask what it takes to get to the World Cup: “I tell them it takes hard work and dedication. And if you put in the hard work, good things will happen. But I also tell them to find balance. Don’t burn out. Do other things in life, too. Be healthy and take care of your body.”

Waters, 34, is playing in her third World Cup. “I love rugby so much, and I’ve had a strong support network of teammates and family,” she said.

Waters and her teammates will play in the consolation round on Tuesday, a disappointing outcome for the Canadian team, which was silver medallist at the last World Cup in 2014.

Canada began the 2017 World Cup with a 98-0 blowout of No. 23-ranked Hong Kong, then blanked No. 10 Wales 15-0 before losing to No. 2 New Zealand 48-5 in pool play to miss out on the semifinals.

Joining Waters on the World Cup Canadian team from the Castaway Wanderers of Oak Bay are Julianne Zussman, Olivia DeMerchant and Rio Olympics bronze-medallist sevens player Karen Paquin.

Joining Kelly Russell, another Rio Olympics sevens medallist, at the World Cup from Cowichan RFC are her sister Laura Russell and Tyson Beukeboom. The Westshore RFC (former Velox) powerhouse, which has won the B.C. championship four of the past five years, is well represented with Barbara Mervin, Emily Belchos, Elissa Alarie, Latoya Blackwood, Chelsey Minter and Brianna Miller.

Ten players are making their World Cup debuts on a Canadian squad that features 18 returnees from the 2014 World Cup squad.

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com