BC Rugby Season Resumes: No Premier but Div 1 to 3 Matches Plus Women’s Regional
The BC Premier resumes next weekend but there’s rugby action resuming in Div 1 to Div 3 plus the women’s regional competition is back with the Island hosting the Vancouver Thunderbirds. The current standings in all divisions are posted here.
Men’s Div 1
The Rowers are clear leaders in this division with a 7-0 record, the only undefeated team. They take on the winless Ravens, it’s surprising to see the Ravens in 16th place with a strong Premier side. Langley hosts Caps and Abbotsford hosts Meraloma. The UVic v Comox game was cancelled.
Vancouver Rowing Club v UBCOB Ravens @ 14:30
Referee: Justyn Roberts AR1: Rachel Morrison AR2: Darryl Lucas
Venue: Brockton Oval
Langley RFC v Capilano @ 14:30
Referee: Kuljiwan (Jivan) Dhaliwal AR1: Tyler DAWSON AR2: Emily Krack
Venue: Crush Crescent
Abbotsford RFC v Meraloma @ 14:30
Referee: Lance Davison AR1: Chad Falk AR2: Peter MacDonald
Venue: Exhibition Park
Men’s Division 2
In men’s Div 2 the Kelowna Crows are the league leaders and the only undefeated team, they travel to the Kats who currently sit in 5th place. Richmond hosts Surrey and United host Chilliwack.
Kats RFC v Kelowna Crows @ 12:45
Referee: Chris Assmus AR1: Scott Johnson AR2: Miriam Sobrino
Venue: Balaclava Park
Richmond v Surrey Beavers AA @ 12:45
Referee: Saro Turner
Venue: King George Park
United v Chilliwack Crusaders @ 12:45
Referee: Michael Blais AR1: Joel Van Meer AR2: Lauren Hancock
Venue: Coquitlam Town Centre
Men’s Div 3
It’s a tight race in Div 3 with no undefeated sides, Burnaby and Bayside lead the pack. Langley hosts Capilano, Scribes host Kelowna and Simon Fraser hosts Abbotsford.
Langley RFC v Capilano @ 12:45
Referee: Tyler DAWSON
Venue: Crush Crescent
Scribes v Kelowna Crows @ 12:45
Referee: Rupert Whiting AR1: Leighton Williams
Venue: Rupert Park
Simon Fraser RC v Abbotsford RFC @ 12:45
Referee: Dan Cvitanovich
Venue: Simon Fraser Field 4
Women’s Div 2
Chilliwack and Kelowna lead the league but neither in action this weekend. Richmond host Rowers and Ridge Meadows host Simon Fraser.
Richmond Lions v Vancouver Rowing Club @ 11:15
Referee: Jamie Overgaard
Venue: King George Park
Ridge Meadows v Simon Fraser RC @ 11:15
Referee: Toby Mustill
Venue: Thomas Haney
Women’s Regional
The Ruth Hellerud Brown cup is up for grabs in this season long competition between regions. There’s only been one game played to date, the Thunderbirds defeating Vancouver. The Vancouver Thunderbirds are basically the UBC team and have been entered as the fourth region, as two time university champions they probably go in as favourites in the competition. This will be the first match for the Island so a chance to see their playing strength.
The VIRU instagram had a write up on the match, posted below. We haven’t seen rosters at the time of writing.
This Saturday, the VIRU Crimson Tide women take on the Vancouver Thunderbirds in the Islands first game of the Ruth Hellerud-Brown Cup. The competition originally had two games scheduled for the Tide prior to Christmas however, the Valley withdrew from the competition weeks before it started and the Wave were unable to field a team two weeks in a row following their narrow defeat against the Thunderbirds. Both sides will feature several of the 2025 U19 CRC Championship BC team.
The Tide should see Emilie Brett (ARFC, UVIC), Bella Anderton-Teasdale (Cowichan, CW, UVIC) and Sasha Mckee (FVRU, UVIC) take the field while the Thunderbirds will feature Abigail Stanley and Belle Rousseau (both JBAA,Tide) These athletes were catalysts in BC’s first CRC championship in many years going undefeated in Calgary last July. The Crimson Tide should also feature Canada Summer Games gold medalist Marin O’Reagan (UVIC, CW, JBAA). All six Island clubs running Women’s programs will be represented this Saturday.
The VIRU are proud to have a strong coaching cohort leading our team. Our goal was to bring together club coaches from our subunion to collaborate and build strong ties from the North to the South. Robin McDowell, Ed Knaggs, Caitie McNally, Alejandro Chavez, Ciaran Breen and Peter Morton have all been involved in sessions throughout the lead up to this game. The program is being organized and managed by VIRU Women’s Representative Chris Shepherd.
Please join us in kicking off the VIRU’s 150th year and support these athletes and coaches this weekend.
1pm at Windsor Park. Crimson Tide Player to Watch – the return of Jamie Knaggs to representative rugby after a knee injury that kept her out of the 2025 CRC’s. Look for Jamie’s physicality at the breakdown and superb hands in the lineout to lead the forwards for the Crimson Tide. Watch for the battle between Jamie and older sister Jesse Knaggs who face off against each other for the first time ever.
Vancouver Island Tide v Vancouver Thunderbirds @ 13:00
Referee: Justine Blatt-Janmaat AR1: Andrew Owen AR2: John J De Goede
Venue: Windsor Park
University Exhibition
TWU continue their rugby season against Western Washington University.
Trinity Western University v Western Washington @ 13:00
Referee: Shanda Assmus AR1: Phil Webster AR2: Jack Webster TZM: John Hight
Venue: Langley Events Centre
Great winter weather forecast for the Island and Mainland. Too bad there is no rugby scheduled for the Premier league. Definitly could and should be playing. Perfect weather forecast, terrible league foresight.