Kish keen for more success

Kish is one of the most experienced players in the Canadian side which will face challenges from Guyana, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Mexico, Barbados, St Vincent and The Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago.

The tournament takes place at Twin Elm Rugby Park in Ottawa, August 25th and 26th.

Kish is now a well regarded 15s and sevens international player but explains that her career began in football.

My football coach was also a rugby player, so in high school after football season ended, he convinced me to go try out for our women's rugby team," she explains.

"Playing with women with zero equipment was much more appealing than smashing heads with boys in football, so on I went and tried out."

Her career took off from that point, and as an 18 year old Kish was playing with the senior womens national team. She says she owes a lot of to her father for her success.

"Without him, I definitely would not be where I am today in my rugby career. His continual support allows me to dedicate almost 100 per cent of my time to rugby and the training that goes along with it."

Kish says she doesnt have any sporting heroes per se, but the athlete she most looks up to is Muhammad Ali.

"I love the way he spoke, how he trained and carried himself, and how he backed it all up with how he fought in the ring. He was the kind of guy people either loved to hate or hate to love."

Kishs favourite rugby moment comes from the final of the Amsterdam Sevens tournament last year.

"We were down by 15 points against the States and came back to win. What a game"

Like many of her team-mates, the Canada captain believes that the inclusion of rugby sevens in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro is huge for the sport.

"Not everybody knows what rugby is but after the Olympics, I assure you they will. I plan on being on that Olympic team and I plan on winning the gold medal."

First things first though and Kish will lead out a side with a mix of youth and experience this weekend as they aim to secure a place at the IRB World Sevens World Cup in Russia next summer.

With near rivals USA already qualified, Canada will want to nail their spot with confidence, and they are firm favourites to do so.