The News Agents Crowdfunding your way to a World Cup final - The Sports Agents
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Mar 13, 2026 
Sophie De Goede, Canadian international number eight who captained Canada to the 2023 World Cup final and won World Rugby’s Player of the Year after an ACL comeback. She talks about playing in front of 80,000 at Twickenham. She reflects on training with limited resources, Canada’s funding gap, players going abroad, and how the World Cup reshaped women’s rugby momentum.
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Turn Final Defeat Into Lasting Team Lessons
- Sophie De Goede views the World Cup final defeat as fuel for future growth rather than something to fully 'get over'.
- She says the team must absorb lessons from the Twickenham experience and change approach so they perform differently in four years.
Winning Player Of The Year Right After A Loss
- Sophie describes the awkward mix of emotions after being named World Rugby Player of the Year moments after losing the final.
- She says teammates 'forced' her to appreciate the award by lifting her up when she felt numb from the defeat.
Canada's Women Are The Flagship For National Rugby
- Canada’s women’s team carries national responsibility because the men's team is underperforming internationally.
- Sophie says the women's side is the flagship for Canadian rugby and must keep the sport relevant and funded at home.