Women’s rugby added to Commonwealth Games

Canada's rugby sevens squad is looking to take the next step. (Jason Getz/AP)

TORONTO – Women’s rugby sevens has been added to the sports program for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Men’s rugby sevens has been part of the Games for the last 16 years.

The addition of the women’s game was confirmed Tuesday by the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation and the Australian Rugby Union.

"Since the last Commonwealth Games program in Glasgow was announced, women’s rugby sevens has gone from strength to strength, with the IRB introducing the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series for the 2012-13 season," Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver said in a statement.

The announcement is good news for Canada, which came third in the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series last season.

Men’s and women’s sevens will debut in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

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