RUGBY 7s: West Coast powers headline Dream Team at Edmonton stop

Jan. 28, 2026 - Seven student-athletes have been named to the first Canada West Rugby 7s Dream Team of the 2026 season, following an entertaining opening tournament in Edmonton.

The three-time reigning Canada West Rugby 7s champions, the UBC Thunderbirds, led the way with a trio of Dream Team selections after completing a perfect 5-0 weekend to capture the opening tournament crown for the third consecutive year. Victoria and Trinity Western also earned multiple selections after strong performances that saw them post winning records.

UBC’s success was once again driven by Adia Pye, who delivered a dominant weekend to lead all players with nine tries across five matches. The third-year standout scored in four of the Thunderbirds' five games, including two first-half tries in a 22-7 win over Victoria that helped secure first place.

Teammate Kiki Idowu was close behind, finishing the tournament with five tries. She opened the weekend with a hat trick in a 55-7 win over host Alberta and added scores in victories over Lethbridge and Trinity Western, consistently setting the tone with her physical play and finishing ability.

Lana Dueck rounded out the T-Birds’ trio of selections, contributing four tries and a conversion.

Victoria, which finished the tournament with a 4-1 record, was led offensively by the dynamic duo of Ivy Poetker and Olivia Newsome. Poetker crossed the try line seven times over five games, while Newsome added four tries of her own, in addition to successfully drilling five conversions.

Trinity Western’s Ava Van Santen earned a Dream Team nod following a strong showing that helped the Spartans post a 3-2 record and secure a third-place finish. The fourth-year Aldergrove, B.C. product recorded three tries on the weekend, including scores in wins over Lethbridge and Alberta, and her overall play was a key factor in TWU defeating all three Alberta-based teams.

Calgary’s Bomi Lawal rounded out the selections after a productive weekend for the Dinos. Lawal finished the tournament with three tries, including a pair of scores in a key win over Alberta, and provided a consistent offensive spark as Calgary defeated both of their provincial rivals.

Familiar Faces: Pye, Idowu, Van Santen and Lawal were also selected to last year's Alberta Tournament Dream Team.

Up next: Teams will now have two weeks to prepare for the second stop of the Canada West Rugby 7s season, which will be hosted by the Victoria Vikes from Feb. 7 to 8.

For more information on the Rugby 7s tournament series, click here.

Tournament #1 (Alberta) Rugby 7s Dream Team