Natasha Smith, a Carleton graduate and Ravens rugby alum has been selected to play for the National Senior Women’s 15’s team this summer. Smith will play a series of games this summer in the Women’s Super Series in Alberta, a prelude for the World Cup in 2017.
“This Super Series is the first event since the Canadian National 15’s program finished second place in the 2014 World Cup,” Smith said in an email. “For new players like myself, and the players who are returning, this tour is the beginning of the process of Canada taking home the Cup in 2017.”
Head coach Francois Ratier named 27 players to the squad. Thirteen are returnees from the 2014 series. For the other 14 players, including Smith, this will be their first time playing for the National Senior Women’s 15’s team.
“It will be interesting having a rather young team, as the players that I’m familiar with already provide a lot of depth,” Smith said. “There will be a lot of opportunity for growth.”
This summer, Canada will face England, the United States and New Zealand in Super Series games throughout Alberta. The Canadian team and their opponents are in the top six world rugby rankings.
“I believe that a difficult obstacle will be coming together as a team in a short period of time,” Smith said.
Prior to the squad selection, camps were held for players to showcase their talents to the coaching staff. The team will have five training sessions and practices in three days before their first game against New Zealand on June 27. Despite the quick turnover, Smith said she isn’t worried.
“I have no doubt that we will be able to pull it off,” she said.
Smith said she attributes a large part of her success to Carleton athletics. She played on the Ravens team for five years.
During the 2014-15 season, Smith was captain and won the team’s Most Valuable Player and overall Female Athlete of the Year Award. She was also a Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) all-star and first-team Canadian Interuniversity Sport All-Canadian honours.
Smith played rugby for Carleton for five years and has been the leader on and off the field. She has lead the team in tries scored year after year. Smith says that with the right training in the upcoming weeks she will be able to prove she among the best.
“The amount of support athletes receive in terms of doctors, athletic therapy and access to the high performance centre is world class,” Smith said. “I feel that I am physically ready to compete with the best in the world.”
