Saracens remain undefeated in the women’s English Premier competition, there were 3 Canadians in the starting lineup for the Saracens, Sophie de Goede #6, Paige Farries #14 and McKinley Hunt #1.
When the Rugby Canada Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 was announced there was some excitement around the National Training Centres initiative. In the plan it states the goal as “Develop high performance rugby centres of excellence in different cities or regions across the country to address the training and competition gap in women’s and men’s high performance rugby ensuring quality alignment with Rugby Canada’s national team strategic objectives.” There were thoughts of Pacific Pride type of programs in other regions of the country.
Takoda McMullin has been named as the 4th Vancouver Highlanders signing. The outside centre has represented Canada at the U20 level, Canada ‘A’ and long listed for Canada.
It’s difficult to get any answers out of Rugby Canada on the men’s U20 program, a critical link to the men’s XVs program. Stephen Aboud was announced in May 2023 as the head of the High Performance programs but 9 months later he’s doing his best impersonation of the invisible man.
The Highlanders have announced one of their flyhalves, current UBC #10, James Biss. Former UBC coach Curry Hitchborn describes him as “a smart and tenacious player.”
Paige Farries scored 3 tries with fellow Canadians Sophie de Goede and McKinley Hunt adding a try apiece. SDG also converted 7 of the 11 tries in the Sarries 69-3 win over Sale.
Ian Hyde-Lay is a very well known Victoria sport coach and personality. He should be after almost 40 years coaching his two passion sports – Rugby & Basketball.
Curry Hitchborn should be familiar with Sam Mace, he was the opposing front row player when the Toronto Arrows Academy defeated the BC Bears in the Coast to Coast Cup in the summer of 2023.
Round 6 of the women’s English Premiership wrapped up to end 2023, Round 7 is slated for this weekend. Saracens remained top of the standings and Sophie de Goede again made the team of the week, this time playing blindside flanker.
Congratulations to local rugby icon, John Lyall, for being named as a 2024 inductee into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin on March 16th. John is being recognized for his building work in rugby, particularly with the Thunder Indigenous Rugby program, the first of its kind in Canada.