The next generation has emerged as Sophie De Goede of Victoria will captain Canada in the 2022 World Cup from Oct. 8 to Nov. 12 in New Zealand.
Canada named its 32-player roster Wednesday and slotted De Goede, 23, as captain.
“Sophie De Goede is going to be the captain of Canada for years and years to come,” said Canadian head coach Kevin Rouet, when in Victoria for Canada’s pre World Cup 32-24 victory over Italy in July at Starlight Stadium.
De Goede is the latest incarnation of a well-established Island sporting family.
Dad Hans De Goede came out of Vic High and James Bay Athletic Association to be named twice to the all-world XV and captained Canada in the first men’s World Cup in 1987 and is considered a Canadian rugby legend. Mom Stephanie White was captain in the first-ever Canadian women’s Test match in 1987, played in Victoria against the U.S., and was Canada co- captain in the 1991 World Cup and captain in the 1994 World Cup.
Brother Thyssen De Goede was capped for Canada in XVs and played in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games in sevens. Uncle John de Goede played U Sports basketball for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and is a well-known rugby referee, and uncle Jim de Goede was the goalkeeper for the B.C. and Canadian champion Vic West soccer dynasty of the 1970s and 1980s.
Sophie De Goede came out of Oak Bay Secondary as a two-sport basketball and rugby star.
She has played professional rugby in England for Saracens while also completing her U Sports career at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont., as a dual rugby and basketball standout, who was named the most outstanding 2021-22 women’s U Sports athlete of the season.
The decision to prioritize rugby wasn’t quite a slam dunk.
“It was special to win the U Sports top-athlete award, and there was some doubt for me between the two sports at both Oak Bay and Queen’s, but rugby took off for me and I’m confident in that choice,” De Goede said when back in Victoria in July for the Italy Test match.
De Goede has been named Canadian team leader at a young age and in her first World Cup. Former Canadian World Cup players such as Olivia DeMerchant, Brianna Miller, Laura Russell, Tyson Beukeboom, Karen Paquin, Elissa Alarie, Brittany Kassil, DaLeaka Menin and Alexandra Tessier will have her back in the 2022 edition of the World Cup in New Zealand.
“It’s a shared role and the veterans have welcomed me into the role to make the transition smooth,” said De Goede.
Canada bench boss Rouet said: “Sophie has former captains, who are still on the team, helping her be the best captain.”
The 2022 World Cup was scheduled for 2021 but postponed a year due to the pandemic.
“It was disappointing at first. But in sports when something negative happens, you re-frame, and that’s what we did,” said De Goede.
World No. 3 Canada will be in Pool C, opening against Japan on Oct. 9 in Whangarei. The other teams in the pool are Italy and the U.S.
