Rugby Canada released their 2018 financials this week, the 2019 financials will be released later this summer. Even though late Rugby Canada have been able to keep their head above water unlike USA Rugby who had to file for bankruptcy protection.
[ed. photo credit to BC Rugby News if using for other than personal reasons]
Damian McGrath started coaching Canada in December 2016 at the Dubai 7s and hit a high point with a World series title at the Singapore 7s in 2017. Slowly Rugby Canada management began to dismantle his support structure by dismissing his assistant coach Lee Douglas in 2018. Rugby Canada continued to press the issue by renegotiating the 7s players contracts which initiated strike action by the players at the beginning of the 2018-19 season. Rugby Canada finalized putting the nail in the 7s coffin by dismissing McGrath earlier this month. It puzzles Canadian rugby supporters why head office is trying to meddle in a successful program which looks certain to qualify for the 2020 Olympics. It’s been put down to personality conflicts and a power struggle between the XVs group at Rugby Canada led by Kingsley Jones and Gareth Rees and the 7s group led by Damian McGrath. Rugby Canada CEO Allen Vansen sided with the XVs group and appointed Kingsley’s right hand man, Henry Paul, as the new 7s coach.
[ed. thanks to Dave Pearcey who shared Chapter 4 of his book on the 35 years of the Douglas Rugby Club. Douglas were very prominent in women’s rugby on the mainland in the early years. You can contact Dave at dougie69fiu@dccnet.com for more information or to inquire about his book.]
Days of Wine and Roses
“I prefer rugby to soccer. I enjoy the violence in rugby, except when they start biting each other’s ears off.” – Elizabeth Taylor
The Adventure Begins
The first ever women’s rugby in B.C. apparently involved Douglas College and Capilano College. During the Totem Conference men’s 7-a-side tournament in 1974, these two institutions fielded women’s teams for a one-off match, playing nine against nine. Douglas won this historic contest, 36-4.
posted July 31 2014
BCRU Media Release
VANCOUVER, BC – British Columbias under-16 mens provincial program heads into next weeks National Festival Championships in Calgary as the three-time defending champions. The BC-Gold (BC-1) teams streak began at Calgary Rugby Park in 2011, when the squad downed Newfoundland 88-5 for the national title. BC-Blue (B-2) have also enjoyed recent success at Nationals, having won three straight bronze medals in their division.
by Phil Meyer
posted May 12 2014
In the passage to the change rooms at historic MacDonald Park is a large mural displaying JBAAs twenty-four BC Championship Trophies the year of each emblazoned thereupon. At practice and home games, our players glance at this Champions Mural going to and from the field and in ways big and small, reflect on the Navy Blue athletes from the 127 years before, upon whose shoulders present-day players stand. On Monday, graphic artists from the Victoria Department of Parks will add a record 25th Rounsfell Cup to the Mural on the Wall.
Rugby Canada media release
posted April 3 2014
LANGFORD, BC – Canadas Womens Fifteens head coach Francois Ratier has announced his long list of players selected for the upcoming Womens Rugby World Cup campaign.
posted March 28 2014
Meraloma 6 @ Burnaby Lake 59
No surprises here, Burnaby continue at the top of the standings and subsequently look forward to a home field semi-final against either Capilano or CW. Their remaining games are against Rowers and Capilano and they’re 12 points clear of 2nd place James Bay.
Rugby Canada media release
posted March 30 2014
HONG KONG – Canada’s Men endured a tough final day at the Hong Kong Sevens as back-to-back defeats saw the team ultimately bow out at the Plate semi-final stage on Sunday. However, the topeight finish sees Canada gather 10 IRB Sevens World Series points to move to seventh on the Series circuit.
by BCRN 7s correspondent
posted March 24 2014
Day 1 in Japan we had indicated in our brief selection preview of this tournament that despite the opportunities available in this Pool Canada would have be cognisant of what had occurred a year ago at the very same stadium.
updated March 23 2014
Burnaby Lake 26 @ James Bay AA 21 – MacDonald Park
The legend of the downhill slope at MacDonald Park continues. The Bays were ahead 18-7 when they had the slope in the first half, Burnaby were 19-3 in the 2nd half with the slope. 37 points scored at one end, 10 at the other – it could just be coincidence – yeah right. It was a great game though, the type of game that should be played in a stadium enjoyed by a few thousand spectators, not by a few hundred at a city park. Rugby is a great spectator sport and clubs need to bring in more revenue, changes they are a comin’.