Bianca Farella, a member of the 2012 Concordia Stingers, has been selected to represent Canada in the women’s sevens rugby competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The Montreal native will be part of history because although the 15-player version of the sport appeared at the Olympic Games between 1900 and 1924, 2016 marks the debut of rugby sevens, a faster, shorter adaption.
Farella suited up for one very impactful season with the Stingers in 2012. An extremely athletic centre, she led the Quebec university women’s rugby conference in tries scored (12 tries for 60 points). She was a conference all-star team and the RSEQ Rookie of the Year. Farella was also named the CIS Rookie of the Year and to the all-Canadian team.
She helped the Stingers win the Quebec title and finish fourth at the CIS national championship.
“Bianca had an immediate impact on our program both on and off the field,” said Stinger head coach Graeme McGravie. “On the field her commitment to be a better player raised the game of those around her.”
The Behavioural Neuroscience student arrived at Concordia University after three years as a dominant force in the Quebec CEGEP league where she was a three-time all-star and the team MVP with the Dawson College Blues.
After her rookie season with the Stingers, Farella went to British Columbia to train with the national program and pursue her dream of representing Canada in the 2016 Olympics.
Canada’s 2016 Rio Olympics Schedule:
Day 1 – Aug. 6
Canada vs. Japan – 11:30 a.m. ET
Canada vs. Brazil – 4:30 p.m. ET
Day 2 – Aug. 7
Canada vs. Great Britain – 11:30 a.m. ET
Day 3 – Aug. 8
Semifinals and Finals
