Carissa Norsten performing on the world stage for Rugby Canada

Like many kids in small-town Saskatchewan, Carissa Norsten grew up with a wide variety of sports.

But the Waldheim, Sask. product found her greatest success on the rugby pitch.

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“Rugby’s a really cool sport. You can do so many things that are a collection of skills from all the other sports I’ve played – you can kick, the running, the defence connection is just so similar to every other sport I’ve played,” Norsten said.

“It was really cool to mesh those all together, and it’s also so cool to play a full-contact sport, so that was a big part of it.”

Norsten said her rugby journey started when her sister was advised to give the sport a try by her vice principal.

“She ended up going to Warman and try rugby there. I went and watched her play and thought it looked really cool and wanted to give it a go,” Norsten said. “I’m pretty glad I did.

“We started the season off with sevens, always, because we didn’t have enough to play 15s, and then as it progressed we would get to play 15s because we would get a few more people to join. We didn’t really have a lot of subs, for sure. It was pretty small.”

Now, the 22-year-old Norsten is participating on the international stage with the Canadian national rugby sevens team.

“It’s been really, really cool. (Rugby) has taken me to places I would have never thought of going without rugby,” Norsten said. “It’s been an absolutely amazing journey so far. I’m getting to travel the world with some of my best friends.”

She was on the Canadian women’s team for Rugby Sevens at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Norsten said she never thought she could get to the next level with the sport until a coach, Robin MacDowell, held a practice in Saskatoon.

“He came and found me after and was like, ‘Who are you? I need your contact info. Who are your parents?’ He was telling me if I buy in and pursue the sport, I could go somewhere with it,” Norsten said. “I didn’t really know what rugby was or where it could take you at that time.”

As a result of that conversation, Norsten went to Vancouver Island when she was in Grade 12, where she continued to develop with the sport.

Along with playing on the national team, she is a member of the University of Victoria Vikes women’s rugby team. She was named the most valuable player in U Sports this year.

“I wasn’t expecting it. It was really cool to get that award and I care so much about the Vikes and that program there, because it has helped me so much as an athlete and as a person, so to get recognized for that award was just really, really special,” Norsten said.

Carissa Norsten has been able to wear the maple leaf at multiple events on the world stage. (World Rugby)

Norsten is in her third year with the national sevens team. She said it was really cool to be able to put on the Canadian jersey.

“I didn’t play rugby growing up, so it wasn’t a childhood dream to put on a Canadian rugby jersey, but it was always a childhood dream to always play a sport for Canada, and I’m really glad it was rugby because the community and the environment rugby introduces you to is so amazing,” Norsten said.

Norsten is also taking on a leadership role on the team, as she was named captain for the first time at the HSBC SVNS Series in Dubai, which took place at the end of November. She was also named captain at the team’s next tournament in Cape Town in December.

“It feels pretty crazy. I’m super grateful for that, but I think it comes down to the leadership group that we have in our team right now. It makes it feel possible for me to even take on that role,” Norsten said. “Just feeling super supportive and really excited for the new opportunity.”

Norsten said she appreciates the support she gets from her home province as she continues her athletic career.

“I get messages and stuff from back home all the time, and so much support from Sask. Rugby, even just on the socials. They always repost and tag me,” Norsten said. “I definitely won’t ever forget where I am from, so it’s really cool to see, and I appreciate the support from back home so much.”