A Player’s Perspective: Canada to NZ – Part 4

Posted on June 28, 2023October 31, 2023 by MarkB

From Canada to New Zealand – Playing Rugby Abroad in Taranaki Part 4: Club Season Winds Down; Regional Competition on the Horizon

by Noah Bain

Kia ora and thanks for tuning into BCRN! My name is Noah Bain, in case youre new here, and this is my 4th article documenting my experience as a Canadian playing rugby for Spotswood United in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. I wish I had some good news in regards to us getting a win, following up on my last post, but sadly, I do not. The Chiefs lost to the Crusaders, and Spotty lost again. It has been a challenging season mixed with growth and rewards, as I continue to keep learning much about myself and about this wonderful game.

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Summer Rugby Camps 2023

Posted on June 26, 2023October 31, 2023 by MarkB

Van City Rugby Academy Running Summer Camps in July & August for 5-13 Age Group

Van City Rugby Academy are running two rugby camps this summer.

The coaching staff includes Christiaan Esterhuizen, Mike Hall and Aaron Takel.

The age group is 5-13 years.

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Premier Rugby Sevens 2023

Posted on June 25, 2023October 31, 2023 by MarkB

Canadian Women Shine in Western Tournament Kickoff: Loonies Go Top of Standings

The Loonies women’s team, stacked with Canadian talent, and coached by Robin MacDowell won the Western kickoff tournament on Saturday. The standings count both the men’s and women’s results, the Loonies men came 3rd but their combined results put the Loonies at the top of the standings with 16 points.

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Coast to Coast Cup Final 2023

Posted on June 24, 2023October 31, 2023 by MarkB

Arrows Academy Claim 2023 Coast to Coast Cup on Strong Backline Play: Stan Blazkowski Selected Man of the Match

The Toronto Arrows Academy took home the Coast to Coast Cup for 2023 with some talented backline play, and some weak outside defending from the home team. The forwards advantage the Atlantic Selects had in the first half disappeared when the subs came on in the second half. It was the play of the outside backs for Toronto that won them the match. Stanislas Blazkowski, the fullback from the Arrows Academy, was selected Man of the Match. Stan is from Marseille, France but moved to Montreal when he was young with his family. He went back to France to play for the Racing Academy and then returned to Canada to play with the Concordia Stingers. I have a feeling we’ll be hearing more of him in the future.

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MLR 2023 – By The Numbers

Posted on June 23, 2023October 31, 2023 by MarkB

MLR – Crunching the Numbers at End of Season: We Pick a Canadian MLR XXIII and Look at Participation Numbers

We crunched the numbers to come up with an Editor’s pick of the BCRN Canadian MLR XXIII.

First we looked at the MLR First XV team of the week selections. These were the season results.

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Canada Men’s XVs – Summer 2023

Posted on June 22, 2023October 31, 2023 by MarkB

Canada Announce Long List for Tonga Matches in August

Rugby Canada has confirmed what the Tongan rugby union had already stated, Tonga will play two World Cup warm up matches against Canada. The Tonga pre-World Cup schedule is Australia A, Fiji, Samoa, Japan, Canada, Canada.

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Commonwealth Youth Games 2023

Posted on June 21, 2023October 31, 2023 by MarkB

Canada Announce Teams for Commonwealth Youth Games in August: A Look Back at the 2017 Teams

The Commonwealth Youth Games were last held in 2017 in the Bahamas. The 2021 games were postponed due to COVID and are taking place this year in Tobago.

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BC Bears – June 2023

Posted on June 21, 2023October 31, 2023 by MarkB

BC Fall to Arrows Academy 32-27: Coast to Coast Cup Title Determined on Saturday Atlantic v Arrows Academy

BC went up 10-0 in the first quarter with two tries by Zephyr Melnyk. Mike Moloney left 7 points on the field with one missed penalty and two missed conversions. BC are playing with a lot of nervous energy, they’re moving the ball ahead but it’s creating a lot of errors. Toronto slot a penalty 10-3. BC kick the ensuing kickoff into touch and Toronto have a scrum at half. Moloney hits a nice 50/22 to give BC some position inside the Toronto 22 but the Arrows steal it back. BC are winning the kicking game and gaining some territory. BC get a driving maul going and Zephyr Melnyk finishes it off for his 3rd try. AJ Kosempel scores a solo try on the outside for the Arrows, 17-10 for BC at the half.

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Can-Am 7s 2023

Posted on June 18, 2023October 31, 2023 by MarkB

44th Can-Am 7s July 8th: Open for Registration

from Paul Horne

Hoping you can help us get the Can back in the Can-Am Sevens. Would love to see the BC teams return to compete for the Can Am Cup. The tourney is the oldest running 7’s event in the Pacific Northwest going back to 1978 and the history shows clubs like UBCOB Ravens, Meralomas and Bayside dominated the competition over the last three decades.

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Coast to Coast Cup 2023

Posted on June 14, 2023October 31, 2023 by MarkB

Coast to Coast Cup to be Streamed on the TheRugbyNetwork.com

Some good news from the Rugby Network, they’ll stream the Coast to Coast Cup and unlike the U20 series on FloRugby, you won’t have to pay $30 a month to watch it, it’s free of charge. Well done to the Rugby Network and tournament organizers.

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