Brooke Rempel is emerging as one of Canada’s top up-and-coming rugby players.

For the first time in Brock University’s history, a current student-athlete has been named to the national women’s rugby team. Rempel earned a roster spot for the 2026 Pacific Four Series in an announcement made Friday, March 27.

“I still can’t believe I’m on the team,” Rempel said. “It’s surreal, and I’m super excited because they’re all such amazing players, and I get to learn from the best.”

The third-year Kinesiology student is the youngest player on the 30-person roster and one of nine athletes who played university rugby this past season.

“We can’t truly express how excited we are for the exceptional opportunity Brooke is receiving with the national team as she will be able to continue her development and make an impact on the biggest stage of the sport,” said Brock women’s rugby head coach Adrian Brown. “For a young athlete to achieve this is outstanding and really speaks to the effort and commitment Brooke has put into her development and growth both on and off the field.”

The team’s first Pacific Four Series game takes place Saturday, April 11 against Australia at Heart Health Park in Sacramento, Calif., followed by a second match against New Zealand at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Mo on Friday, April 17. Both matches will be broadcast live on TSN.

The series wraps up Friday, April 24 with a highly anticipated matchup against the United States at Seat Geek Stadium in Chicago, Ill. Broadcast details for this game have yet to be announced.

With training kicking off this week, Rempel will have a quick turnaround after joining Canada’s U21 national team for a three-game series in the United Kingdom earlier this month.

“I learned a lot of new rugby techniques and got to train with more experienced players,” Rempel said. “To see members of the senior national team come to watch our games was super cool and made for a great experience.”

This past university season, Rempel was named a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian and an Ontario University Athletics (OUA) First Team All-Star, helping guide the Badgers to their sixth consecutive provincial semifinal appearance.

“Brooke has earned every opportunity that has come her way, and we couldn’t be prouder of her achievements to date, and those yet to come,” Brown said. “She is leading the charge for other young Badgers to make their mark as this is such a huge step for herself and the Brock program. The whole team is excited and behind Brooke as she steps out to represent her nation.”