Charity Williams led Team Canada’s rugby sevens team to an Olympic silver medal in Paris, continuing her legacy of greatness on the pitch. She is a fierce competitor, a role model, and a VOICE for BIPOC women. Williams finds her passion and strength celebrated in rugby and works to pass on this love of the game, advocating for equality for the next generation of rugby players.
The Vet Wins Olympic Silver
While Canada won bronze in Rio in 2016, they left the 2020 Olympics in ninth place, despite five tries from Williams, making them an underdog coming into 2024. Rugby sevens, a high-intensity, fast-paced game of two seven-minute halves, requires extreme focus blended with fearless aggression, and Canada proved they had the grit needed to medal. “I think in the end we played our hearts out,” Williams told National Post. “The game of Sevens is uncontrollable... Nobody expected us to be on the podium.”
Paris wasn’t Williams’ first Olympic experience. The only current Canadian player to compete in Rio, Tokyo, and Paris, Williams steadied a young squad with her veteran leadership. Canada showed unfailing unity during the tournament, losing only to New Zealand in the gold medal match, and defeating Fiji, China, France, and Australia. Before the Olympics, Williams praised the special bond that her team had, which was evident on the pitch. The team is “together 24/7, even when we’re not supposed to be, which ensures we’re all on the same page… We genuinely love being together, which you can see on the field,” Williams said in an interview with Rugby Pass.
Williams battled through multiple injuries to stay at the top of her game, including pauses in training for surgery between each of the Olympics. This year was her first full season back after recovery, showing unending resilience and her fight to earn her spot again. The trust the Canada Rugby program has in Williams proved well-deserved, as she led Team Canada in scoring with five tries in the team’s silver medal run.
“I want people to look up to me and to know that I worked really hard so that one day you might be able to be in my position.”
Finding a Home in Rugby
Williams fell in love with rugby from her first day on the pitch, finding joy in its physicality and inclusion of every body type. “Playing rugby is my happy place,” Williams told The Sports Chronicle. “Cutting up the pitch and burning tackles is a great feeling. It’s a powerful place to be.” She found her place of comfort, where her toughness allowed her to shine. “Rugby has a place for literally everybody… Being a strong woman is actually celebrated in this sport. I’ve always been strong, and I’ve always trained my body to be the best it can be, and this sport just really showcases that,” Williams said to The GIST.
Creating Safe Spaces
Toronto-born Williams now resides in British Columbia, where she works to create safe spaces for BIPOC women to share their VOICEs and advocate for policy changes that ensure equitable and diverse sport environments. In her work with the BIPOC Working Group for Team Canada, anti-racism workshops, and the BC Black History Awareness Society, Williams ensures that rugby will continue to become more diverse and more accessible. She has also been a part of creative endeavors such as contributing to the “Hope Meets Action: Echoes Through The Black Continuum” exhibit in the Royal BC Museum and founding the first BIPOC music festival in Victoria, BC.
Since the bronze medal in Rio, more BIPOC teammates have joined Team Canada, and Williams noted the increase in young girls signing up to start their rugby careers. “We kind of paved the way for them and I just really like being a part of that story,” Williams said. Williams fights for equality in her multifaceted work because she wants to improve the culture for herself and her teammates, but also to create undeniable opportunities “for the young kids that are coming into this space… I want them to know that there’s a place for them here, that this place is made for them,” she told Sport Brand, Inc.
Building Her Legacy
Williams’ resilience and advocacy are just as impactful to her legacy as her strength and skill on the pitch. She uses her platform to elevate others and create space for the next girls in the game. “I’ve always tried to represent myself and others the best way that I can. I’m very proud to be considered a role model,” she said. “I want people to look up to me and to know that I worked really hard so that one day you might be able to be in my position.”
As Williams celebrates her second Olympic medal and Team Canada continues to elevate, girls and women from every background will look to Williams’ journey as their inspiration to step into a game meant for everyone.
