Sara Svoboda

Sara Svoboda
Date of birth (1995-02-03) 3 February 1995 (age 29)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Back row
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020–Present Loughborough Lightning (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
 Canada 21 (0)

Sara Svoboda (born 3 February 1995) is a Canadian rugby union player. She plays in the Back row for Canada and Loughborough Lightning.[1][2]

Rugby career

Svoboda graduated from Centennial Secondary School.[1][3] Her rugby career began with the Belleville Bulldogs minis program, she also progressed through their junior and senior ranks.[1] She represented McMaster University in Hamilton where she was studying Kinesiology.[1][3]

Svoboda competed for Canada at the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.[4] She featured in the semifinal loss to England, and started in the third place final against France.[5][6][7][8]

In 2023, She was named in Canada's squad for their test against the Springbok women and for the Pacific Four Series.[9][10] She scored a try in Canada's 66–7 victory over South Africa in Madrid, Spain.[11][12]

Personal life

Svoboda's father, Paul, captained the Canadian Cougars rugby league team that played the USA in 1993.[3][2] Her uncle Karl Svoboda played and captained Canada's Men's Team from 1985 to 1995, including at the first three Rugby World Cups.[3][2] Her twin sister Katie is also capped for the senior women’s team having made her debut in 2016, while her younger sister Tia is an up-and-coming player.[2][13][14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Miller, Jack (2022-09-01). "Sara Svoboda headed to world rugby championship". Quinte News. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  2. ^ a b c d "Sara Svoboda joins Menin and Holtkamp at Loughborough". Americas Rugby News. 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  3. ^ a b c d "Sara Svoboda". TSAF. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  4. ^ "Canada's Women's Rugby World Cup squad named for New Zealand". Rugby Canada. 2022-08-31. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  5. ^ "Canada book Semi Final spot with big win over USA". Americas Rugby News. 2022-10-30. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  6. ^ Grey, Becky (2022-11-05). "England show grit to reach World Cup final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
  7. ^ "England edge Canada in World Cup Classic". Americas Rugby News. 2022-11-05. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  8. ^ "Blue wave hits Canada as France celebrates Bronze victory". Americas Rugby News. 2022-11-12. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  9. ^ "Seven new names in Canada squad for Spain tour". Americas Rugby News. 2023-03-16. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  10. ^ "Kevin Rouet names Canada's Women's Rugby Team roster for Spain Tour and Pacific Four Series opener". Rugby Canada. 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  11. ^ "One-sided win for Canada over South Africa". Americas Rugby News. 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  12. ^ "Canada's Women's Rugby Team opens 2023 with convincing win over South Africa". Rugby Canada. 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  13. ^ Fomé, Josie (2017-10-20). "Svoboda family continuing family's rugby legacy". U SPORTS. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  14. ^ "Local rugger makes Canada debut". intelligencer. 2016-07-03. Retrieved 2022-11-23.