Evan Daum, Canada West Communications

Highlights:

• The CW Women's Rugby 7s Series returns this weekend, as UFV hosts the program's first CW rugby event
• Thompson Rivers is making their CW debut, as they join the original six competing schools
• This weekend is the second of three events during 2018, with the Series finale slated for Feb. 24-25 in Victoria

ABBOTSFORD – The 2018 Canada West Women's Rugby Sevens Series returns to action this weekend, as the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades will host their first-ever conference rugby event.

The Matsqui Recreation Complex in Abbotsford, B.C. welcomes seven CW rugby 7s teams this Saturday and Sunday, as the host Cascades will be joined by the Alberta Pandas, UBC Thunderbirds, Calgary Dinos, Lethbridge Pronghorns, Victoria Vikes, and Thompson Rivers WolfPack, who are making their Series debut.

For the Cascades, who were one of six teams to compete last year in the first season of CW rugby 7s, the opportunity to play at home will be a welcome first.

"I think we're all very excited about it. It's a first for us, even the girls who were in the program last year. It's going to be a fun experience, playing in front of our friends and family and showing them how far we've come in two years," said second-year Cascade Mackenzie Fowler.

While UFV is still searching for their first Series win this season after going 0-6-0 three weeks ago at the University of Alberta tournament, head coach Jen Ross has seen progress with her young university squad. 

"We love being a part of this series. We're so happy to be part of it, and to push ourselves against better competition, outside of regular club play. I think it's making our girls better players, and it's going a long way towards helping younger athletes in our city think about playing at the university level," said Ross. 

Coming into the second event of 2018, the Victoria Vikes are the Series frontrunners after claiming first in Edmonton last month. The Vikes earned 10 points in the standings thanks to their 35-7 win over Lethbridge in the first-place game. 

Unlike the first event of the season, which saw teams play a five-game round robin before a medal round, this weekend's schedule is a straight round robin, as teams will play six games to determine tournament placing. 

The change in format is thanks to the addition of the WolfPack, who are making their CW rugby 7s debut. TRU becomes the seventh CW member to compete in the sport, joining the original six programs, who started as part of the three-year partnership with B2ten and Rugby Canada in 2017.

For a complete look at this weekend's schedule, click here and for tournament standings, click here.

About the Canada West Women's Rugby Sevens Series 

2018 marks the second season of the Canada West Women's Rugby Sevens Series, which has been made possible thanks to Canada West's partnership with B2ten and Rugby Canada. 

Through their joint support, which includes scholarship opportunities for players at competing institutions, B2ten and Rugby Canada are committed to helping Canadian female athletes pursue their athletic careers, including an opportunity to progress to the national team.

The Canada West Women's Rugby Sevens Series champion will be crowned Feb. 25 at the University of Victoria, as determined by cumulative series points.