Olivia DeMerchant (born February 16, 1991) is a Canadian rugby union player. She has represented Canada at the 2014, 2017 and 2021 Rugby World Cup's.

Olivia DeMerchant
DeMerchant in 2014
Date of birth (1991-02-16) February 16, 1991 (age 33)
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight90 kg (198 lb)
UniversitySt. Francis Xavier University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009?–2013?, 2018 St. Francis X-Women (0)
Woodstock Wildmen (0)
2018?– Fredericton Loyalists (0)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016–2018 Saracens - (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011  Canada Under-20 - (0)
2014–Present  Canada 57 (5)
Correct as of 2023-07-08
Medal record
Women's rugby union
Representing  Canada
World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2014 France Team competition

Rugby career

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In 2011, DeMerchant played for the Canadian women's under-20 team.[1] She represented Canada at the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup.[2][3]

DeMerchant played four seasons for St. Francis Xavier University where she studied. She subsequently returned, after playing with the Saracens Ladies in 2016–2018,[4] and is currently playing her final year of eligibility in the 2018 season.[5]

DeMerchant was selected in Canada's squad for the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.[6][7][8]

In 2023, she scored a try against the Black Ferns in her sides 21–52 defeat at the Pacific Four Series in Ottawa.[9][10] The match earned her her 55th cap and she now sits third all-time for Canada alongside Maria Gallo.[11][12]

Canadian Football

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Demerchant began playing women's tackle football with the Capital Area Lady Gladiators of the Maritime Women's Football League in 2015. She dominated on both offense and defense from the running back and defensive end positions. She earned a Maritime Women's Football League Offensive All-Star award and 2015 Offense Player of the Year with the Lady Gladiators.

Awards and recognition

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References

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  1. ^ StFX Athletics & Recreation (St. Francis Xavier University) (14 July 2011). "DeMerchant suits up with Canadian U20 national rugby team". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  2. ^ Ben Kerr, lastwordonsports.com (30 June 2014). "Canada's Roster Announced for Women's Rugby World Cup". Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  3. ^ Bryan Kelly, Rugby Canada Communications (BC Rugby.com) (31 July 2014). "Canada roster announced for Women's World Cup opener vs France". Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  4. ^ "International rugby player Olivia DeMerchant a 'rookie' again for X-Women - Atlantic University Sport (AUS)". Retrieved 2018-12-01.
  5. ^ StFX Athletics & Recreation (St. Francis Xavier University) (3 September 2014). "Rugby chat with World Cup silver medalist Olivia DeMerchant". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  6. ^ "Canada's Women's Rugby World Cup squad named for New Zealand". Rugby Canada. 2022-08-31. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  7. ^ Mockford, Sarah (2022-10-09). "Canada Women's Rugby World Cup Squad 2022 – Japan 5-41 Canada". Rugby World. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  8. ^ "de Goede to lead Canada squad to World Cup in New Zealand". Americas Rugby News. 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  9. ^ "Black Ferns fly past Canada in front of record crowd in Ottawa". Americas Rugby News. 2023-07-09. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  10. ^ Burnes, Campbell (2023-07-09). "Black Ferns secure WXV1 qualification with Ottawa victory". allblacks.com. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  11. ^ Coghe, Yuri (2023-07-08). "Canada's women's rugby team scores 3 tries in loss to New Zealand before record home crowd". www.cbc.ca. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  12. ^ Plouffe, Dan (2023-07-08). "New Zealand trips Canadian women's rugby squad 52-21 in Pacific Four Series match". battlefordsNOW. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  13. ^ a b "WATCH: Rugby Canada 2019 Annual Awards". Rugby Canada. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-01.
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