BARBARA MERVIN
Barbara Mervin, a Flanker/Backrow player was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and raised in Peterborough Ontario. She is affiliated with the Peterborough Pagans RFC in Ontario. She won her first provincial title in the U19 Ontario league in 2000. She attended and played for the Western University Mustangs RFC from 2002-2006, winning the CIS Rookie of the Year award in 2002, and Player of the Year Award in 2005. While winning 2 CIS National Titles during her time at Western, and earning a Bachelor’s Degree in art history. She was also selected for the Senior Ontario provincial teams in 2006 and 2007. In 2006 she moved across Canada to Victoria, BC, joining the Velox Valkyries RFC for the past 13 years to present day (2019), earning 6 BC Provincial Championships and 9 BC runner up Finalist appearances. She has been the team Captain from 2008-2010, and again in 2015-2016. Moving into the Coaching roles as well in 2017-2018. During these years Barbara made the Rugby Canada national senior team debuting in 2005 against New Zealand and with the Sevens team in 2008 in Amsterdam. She has earned a total of 25 caps for NSWT 15’s and 7 caps for NSWT 7’s play, including winning the Las Vegas 7’s Tournament in 2012 . She was selected for 3 RWCs, playing in the 2010 in Spain, 2014 in France earning a silver medal for 2nd place finish, and ending with the 2017 RWC in Ireland. Winning Rugby Canada’s Gillian Florence Award in 2015 for the RC Women’s Player of the Year. She has been a staple on the BC provincial teams since 2007, and has won numerous premier BC provincial championships with the Velox Valkyries’ team. She established herself in the field of sports modeling career as well, with features such in Beauty of Sports edition for Sportsnet Magazine in 2013. Barbara is currently married to long time Velox/Westshore Men’s and NSMT alumni player Clay Panga. She earned a diploma in fashion design from the Pacific Design Academy in Victoria and is now the founder of APTOELLA RUGBY APPAREL, a rugby clothing line for women. Here is her website; http://aptoella.com/
