Sommer Christie, an assistant coach with the Concordia women's rugby team, has earned a spot on Canada's national team and will represent her country at the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup which will take place in Edmonton late this summer.
The scrum half from Wentworth, Que. was one of 26 players named to the squad by Rugby Canada on June 5. A national selection committee evaluated more than 100 players over the last two years before choosing the final roster.
Christie played for the Stingers from 1999 to 2003. During that time she was a three-time all-Canadian, a five-time QSSF all-star and she was the QSSF women's rugby MVP in 2002. She was also Concordia's Female Athlete of the Year in 2002. She excelled in the classroom as well as on the field. Christie was a three-time academic all-Canadian while studying in Concordia's prestigious Exercise Science program.
Joining Christie on Team Canada are Erin Dance, also a former Stinger, and Matt Stephens, a former Concordia assistant coach who now serves as the national team's technical director.
Canada goes into the 12-team championship as the fourth seed. The team opens the competition with a game versus New Zealand, the defending champions on Aug. 31. The championship game will be held Sept. 17 at Commonwealth Stadium.
