University of Alberta Pandas Rugby assistant coach Chelsea Ross is returning home with some hardware, as she led Canada to a gold medal at the 2026 FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Canada bested France 20-0 in the final on Sunday morning, which saw them jump out to a 15-0 lead at the half. The victory joins Canada's previous championship successes in 2004, 2006 and 2014. It also marked their seventh appearance in a FISU women's final.
Ross was named head coach of the Canadian 7s team in April, with the championship marking a return to the FISU stage after she represented Canada as an athlete at the 2012 FISU World University Championship and won bronze at the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia.
Team Canada went 2-1 in pool play, before beating the host South Africans 24-14 in the quarter-final and Australia 19-14 in the semifinal. Canada beat Botswana 70-0 and Ireland 35-7 in pool play, avenging their 17-14 pool play loss to Australia in the semifinal.
Ross will now return to campus for the start of the Pandas Rugby season which kicks off on Friday as they host the Calgary Dinos at Foote Field.Â
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