BLUENOSE
RUGBY
France 2026 Tour
Our Coaching Crew
Jack Hanratty
Captain/Head Coach
- Head Coach USA Women's World Cup 15's Team
-Head Coach - Rugby Canada Women’s 7 Olympic Silver Medalists
- World Rugby Level 3 Coach
- Head Coach - University of Ottawa Women’s Rugby
- Coach Staff , Rugby Canada multiple age grades (M & F)
- Head Coach & Executive Director Rugby Nova Scotia
- Ireland WR Level 3 Coach
Home Club: Skerries RFC
Emma DeLory
First Officer/ Assistant Coach
- World Rugby Level 3 Coach
- Provincial Performance Coach
- Rugby Nova Scotia
Head Coach
- St. Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia Head Coach
- Rugby NS Canada Games & U19 Atlantic Selects
- Asst. Coach , U18 East Rugby Canada
- Home Club: Halifax RFC
Ashley Brooker
First Officer/Assistant Coach
-World Rugby Level 2 Coach
-Head Coach, U17 Female Keltics NS Provincial Team
- Development Director, Valley Rugby Union
- Head Coach, U16 Female Keltics NS Provincial Team
- Asst. Coach, Acadia University Women’s Rugby
Home Club: Valley Rugby Union
Kenzie Cecchetto
First Officer/Assistant Coach
- World Level 2 Coach
- Head Coach U-16 Keltics
- Head Coach: King’s Edgehill School
- Asst. Coach NS Canada Games
- Head Coach U-15 Keltics
- Home Club : Valley Rugby Union
Meet Our Crew
We are happy to introduce the 2026 Bluenose Girls Team, who will be touring the South of France in March 2026. All these girls were chosen not only for their skills on the rugby pitch, but for their ongoing dedication to the game in High School, Provincial Representation and Club.
Prop
Caroline Hilton
School: Lockview
Club: Halifax Tars
What do you like about Rugby: "I love the strength and confidence it’s helped me grow, the friendships and community it’s given me, and the discipline it has taught me."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "I’m looking forward to another memorable tour with my friends as well as great rugby!"
Prop
Abbie Harbers
School: South Colchester Academy
Club: Truro Saints
What do you like about Rugby: "I love the physicality of the game and the friendships that come from rugby!"
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "Playing against new teams and making new friends!"
Hooker\Prop
Lauren MacVicar
School: CPA
Club: Halifax RFC
What do you like about Rugby: "I love rugby because I get to meet new people and I love the team environment. I love how rugby is more than just a game…it’s a community."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "Playing rugby internationally against teams we’ve never played before and being on a new team and building relationships with my teammates."
Hooker\Prop
Annika Simensen
School: Citadel
Club: Halifax RFC
What do you like about Rugby: "I love the intensity of the game."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "Seeing and playing the game at an international level."
Hooker
Morgan Cox
School: Northeast Kings Education Center
Club: Valley Rugby Union
What do you like about Rugby: "The friendships made through the sport, the hype atmosphere and smashing people alongside my best friends."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "Travelling to a new place with awesome people and getting to play an amazing sport internationally."
Prop\Hooker
Alysa Brown
School: Horton
Club: Valley Rugby Union
What do you like about Rugby: "I like the welcoming and inclusive team culture, as well as how aggressive and fast paced the game is."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "Making memories and new friends. Building my rugby IQ."
2nd Row
Emem Akpan
School: Sackville High
Club: Halifax RFC
What do you like about Rugby: "I like the community rugby has given me and getting to play a high intensity sport."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "Looking forward to playing good rugby and performing party pieces!"
2nd Row\8
Meredith MacDougall
School: Kings Edgehill
Club: Halifax RFC
What do you like about Rugby: "I like rugby because of the contact and aggressiveness of the game."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "Someone to fill out my forms."
Back Row
Tess Goddard
School: Malvern CI
Club: Toronto City Amazons
What do you like about Rugby: "I love the physicality of the sport and the friendships I’ve built through it. Running, tackling, and being in the scrum, while pushing yourself and your teammates is one of my favorite feelings. But what I love just as much is the community, and the sense of belonging that rugby creates. I’ve made some of my closest friends through this sport."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "I am looking forward to making new friends, exploring a new country, and developing my rugby skills."
2nd Row\8
Elwyn Smethurst
School: Avonview
Club: Valley Rugby Union
What do you like about Rugby: "The team culture and the amount of opportunities that come with playing rugby."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "Making new long lasting memories."
Flanker
Presley Penny
School: Horton
Club: Valley Rugby Union
What do you like about Rugby: "I love the team atmosphere and all of the memories i have made playing rugby!!"
What are you looking forward to on this tour: ""I'm looking forward to another unforgettable trip with all of my friends, and gaining rugby skills i can take with me everywhere!!"
Flanker
Addison Smith
School: Kings Edgehill
Club: Pictou County RFC
What do you like about Rugby: "I like the physical aspect of it and it’s fun."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "The experience! "
Flanker
Caitria Sommer
School: Horton
Club: Valley Rugby Union
What do you like about Rugby: "The fast pace, intensity and tackling is what I find fun!!"
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "Playing rugby in France!!!"
Scrum Half
Grace Cail
School: Halifax West
Club: Halifax RFC
What do you like about Rugby: "That it is inclusive and you can add your own playing style to any position."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "Spending time with the team, playing games and learning new rugby skills, along with exploring France."
Scrum Half\Wing
Oliva Spargo
School: Northern Secondary School
Club: Toronto Amazons
What do you like about Rugby: "Being able to play with my friends and meet new people."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "Seeing new places and playing with the Bluenose team again."
Scrum Half\Centre
Arabell Pottie
School: Northeast Kings Education Centre
Club: Valley Rugby Union
What do you like about Rugby: "The environment and adrenaline is unbeatable and you always feel supported by your teammates on and off the field."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "Meeting new people and improving and developing my skills."
Fly Half\Fullback
Alison MacLean
School: Kings Edgehill
Club: Valley Rugby Union
What do you like about Rugby: "The Speed"
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "To meet new people and play in a different environment."
Fly Half\Wing
Sylvie Vissers
School: South Colchester Acedemy
Club: Enfield RFC
What do you like about Rugby: "I love the intensity of the sport, and the community that surrounds it!"
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "I’m looking forward to meeting new people and getting to visit Europe!!"
Centre
Gwyn Galloway
School: Horton
Club: Valley Rugby Union
What do you like about Rugby: "I love rugby because it’s fast, physical, and all about teamwork. The friendships I make with teammates make it so fun and I love how it’s inclusive to anyone who wants to play!"
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "TBD"
Centre
Mia Ermatinger
School: Central Technical School
Club: Toronto City Amazons
What do you like about Rugby: "I love the strength and confidence It’s helped me grow, the friendships and community it’s given me, and the discipline it has taught me."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "I’m really looking forward to playing alongside other talented players and experiencing what rugby means in a different country!"
Wing\Fullback
Maanvi Manchineni
School: Kings Edgehill
Club: Halifax RFC
What do you like about Rugby: "I love the team spirit and the rush of cutting past defenders and finishing with a try."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "I look forward to developing my rugby skills, having lots of fun and being able to visit a new country."
Winger\Centre
Rowan Lloyd
School: Kings Edgehill
Club: Valley Rugby Union
What do you like about Rugby: "I like rugby because of the team atmosphere and the competitiveness. "
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "TBD"
Winger\Scrum Half
Lily Lloyd
School: Kings Edgehill
Club: Valley Rugby Union
What do you like about Rugby: "Rugby challenges me to be stronger than I think I am and teaches me trust and respect. "
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "Meeting new friends and enjoying my time in France"
Winger\Fullback
Ava Woodman
School: Avonview
Club: Valley Rugby Union
What do you like about Rugby: "The physicality and strength it takes to be able to play, as well as the bonds you create with your team."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "TBD"
Scrum Half\Winger\Fullback
Lucy VanBerkel
School: Ottawa University
Club: Halifax RFC
What do you like about Rugby: "It’s my passion and i find the game interesting and exciting to play and watch."
What are you looking forward to on this tour: "Getting back into the game after an injury spell, meeting new friends and catching up with old ones in France!"
Tour Itenerary
While on tour the Bluenose Crew will get to see the beautiful South of France but will also get to experience the Rugby Culture as well.
Here are a few highlights of the Tour
Game watch and meet day
The Bluenose crew will get to watch the Montpellier Professional Women's team and meet the players as well!!
Game Day vs Toulon
The Bluenose Crew takes to the field for their first game against Toulon Provence U18 Girls and afterwards for dinner!
Tour Days
The Bluenose Crew will not only experience the rugby culture in the South of France but will also explore many wonderful places like: -Carrières des Lumières - Baux-de-Provence - Olive Oil Tour
-St. Remy de Provence
- Arles
- + Many more
Practice with Local Club
The Bluenose Crew will get to practice with the local Club and have a social afterwards!
Game Day vs Montpellier
The Bluenose Crew head to Montpellier to play the U18 Girls Provence Team, and attend a team dinner afterwards!
