Westshore RFCB次元官网网址檚 Chelsey Minter says sheB次元官网网址檚 both nervous and excited about this yearB次元官网网址檚 WomenB次元官网网址檚 Rugby World Cup.

B次元官网网址淚 would say itB次元官网网址檚 like 60 [per cent] nerves to 40 [per cent] excitement,B次元官网网址� she laughed.

Minter, a 5B次元官网网址�8B次元官网网址� prop who grew up in Sidney and graduated from StellyB次元官网网址檚 Secondary, was named to CanadaB次元官网网址檚 national squad for the first time this summer. ItB次元官网网址檚 an achivement sheB次元官网网址檚 spent countless hours working towards in the gym and on the practice pitch.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so special B次元官网网址� actually getting the invitiation to go was another level of pride, excitement, and happiness,B次元官网网址� she said.

Minter wasnB次元官网网址檛 alone in her excitement.

Valkyries head coach Clayton Panga actually found out about Minter being named to the team even before she did due to his role as a skills coach with Rugby Canada.

B次元官网网址淚 was very excited for her and I knew just from coaching her at Westshore that she had the goods to compete at that level,B次元官网网址� he said.

And Panga, a former member of the menB次元官网网址檚 national team, will have plenty to root for when he attends next monthB次元官网网址檚 tournament. will be well-represented with Emily Belchos, Amanda Thornborough, Elissa Alarie and Latoya Blackwood also making the trip.

Not to mention PangaB次元官网网址檚 wife, Barbara Mervin.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very proud of them. ItB次元官网网址檚 great for the club but mainly for themselves and their families,B次元官网网址� he said.

MervinB次元官网网址檚 2014 World Cup ended in disappointment, having suffered a hand injury in the teamB次元官网网址檚 opening-match win over Spain.

The now-35-year-old thought the 2014 tournament might be her last but took advantage of the opportunity to continue her national team career, giving her a chance to go out on her own terms.

B次元官网网址淏reaking your hand is disappointing but bones heal and it wasnB次元官网网址檛 really anything serious B次元官网网址� while it was an untimely injury it wasnB次元官网网址檛 the end,B次元官网网址� she said.

Mervin expects the 2017 World Cup to be it for her, but wouldnB次元官网网址檛 completely rule out continuing beyond this yearB次元官网网址檚 championships.

She says the experience is extra special because of the large contingent of Westshore RFC players who are also on the team.

Minter echoed that sentiment and said that Westshore RFCB次元官网网址檚 national team veterans have given her plenty of advice on what to expect on the world stage.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very special to have home club members be on the team with you. It gives you a sense of home and comfort in training,B次元官网网址� she said.

Mervin noted that the chemistry the Valkyries develop during the club season tends to carry over into international matches.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 easier to play together when you get into those pressure situations because youB次元官网网址檝e been playing with each other week-in and week-out,B次元官网网址� she said.

The World Cup will take place in Ireland from Aug. 9 to 26. Canada will be looking to move one step up the podium this year, having finished second behind champion England in 2014.

The West Shore community will have a chance to wish local players well this evening (6:30 p.m., next to The Q Centre), as Westshore RFC will be hosting a send-off barbecue. All are welcome.

joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com