KINGSTON, Ont. (May 14, 2012) – Queen's women's rugby head coach Beth Barz is pleased to announce that fullback

Nadia Popov - FB "I feel that the support that Queen's offers its student-athletes will help me succeed on the pitch and in the classroom." - Popov

 Nadia Popov of Newmarket, Ont. has committed to play for the Gaels starting this fall.

"It's exciting to welcome Nadia to the team and we are looking forward to having her play starting next season. I know she will be a great fit not only on the field but off the field as well as she brings a great intensity from her previous program that will transfer over well at Queen's," said Coach Barz on the newest recruit. "Nadia will be looked at to come into our program and make a high impact her first year having been a high impact type of player in the past."

Popov currently attends Sacred Heart high school in Newmarket and was the MVP and captain of here the schools Sr. Rugby team. In 2011 the fullback was a member of the Ontario Under 18 team and captained the under 18 Aurora Barbarians Rugby team in 2011 and 2010. Popov is enrolled in the Life Sciences program at Queen's.

"I'm looking forward to joining the Queen's community this fall and becoming a member of the Women's Rugby team," said Popov on joining the Gaels. "I'm excited for the opportunity to grow as a player under the guidance of the coaches and my new teammates. I feel that the support that Queen's offers its student-athletes will help me succeed on the pitch and in the classroom."

The Gaels 2012 season begins when they take on the Brock Badgers on September 5 at Nixon Field in Kingston.