By Eoin Colquhoun - Manager - Communications and Operations - Pronghorn Athletics

Two Former Pronghorns Named to Inaugural Olympic Rugby Sevens Team

Jul 12, 2016 | 1:25 PM

LETHBRIDGE:  Former Pronghorn standouts Ashley Steacy and Kayla Moleschi have been named to the inaugural Canadian Olympic women’s rugby sevens team that will compete in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August.

“I was pretty emotional when I had my one-on-one with my coach and manager,” said Steacy on being named to the Olympic team.  “John said some really nice things and reminded me to believe in myself and that I belonged in this group of 12.”

“This year has been a roller-coaster with two different knee injuries and having to claw my way back both times, so to hear I had made the team was a very special moment.”

The 2016 Olympics in Rio will be the debut for rugby sevens at the Olympics and Steacy and Moleschi were both part of the first group that centralized with the rugby sevens national program in 2012 with eyes set on the 2016 Games.

“It still sounds strange saying it in my head, I’m an Olympian,” said Steacy. “It means the world to me, I feel like I’ve done my family and friends proud, my teammates, staff and myself as well.”

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“So much blood, sweat and tears have gone into this goal and it feels amazing to say that I’m going to represent Canada at the Olympics.”

“However it’s not finished yet, we’re definitely not just going there for the experience, and we want to bring back a gold medal. 29 more days of hard work!!”

Ashley was one of the most decorated CIS women’s rugby players by the time she graduated, winning three national championships and two CIS player of the year awards, but she arguably saved her best for the international stage.

In 2015, she was named the Canadian Sevens Player of the Year and at the last stop of the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series that season, she was named to the overall series Dream Team.

“Being a Pronghorn prepared me for the international stage by ingraining in me a good work ethic and a never give up attitude,” said Steacy of her time as a Pronghorn. “I remember moments when my team would joke about giving the ball to the other team because we’d dare them to try and score on us.”

“We took great pride in our defence and work rate and that has definitely transferred to my play on the international stage.”

While Moleschi only played one season for the Pronghorns she had an immediate impact, being named the Canada West Rookie of the Year and a CIS All-Canadian.

Following that outstanding freshman season, the National team came calling and since her arrival with the National Sevens program she has been a mainstay in the Canadian line up

The women’s rugby sevens event takes place at Deodoro Stadium from August 6th through the 8th.