BC Announce U16 Teams for Nationals: BC Gold and BC Blue
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.
This years BC-Gold squad will be coached by Mike Stiles and assistant coach Danny Weidner. The BC-Blue will be led by returning coaching tandem Chris Haynes and Bruce Rainer.
Last years squad went undefeated on home soil, claiming their third straight national title at UBCs Wolfson Fields in Vancouver. Head Coach Mike Stiles is hoping his players will continue to excel on the pitch and develop their skills against top level competition this summer. The programs preseason has consisted of two camps in Vancouver as well as a series of trial games that made selections especially tough when dividing the players into two teams.
Our pre-tournament training sessions have been physically and mentally demanding for the players, Stiles said. Through this type of training, I expect the team to exceed their own expectations.
The group will feature returning players in Elias Ergas (Capilano RFC), Kyle Joe (Cowichan RC) and Gavin Kratz (Castaway Wanderers RFC). Ergas has excelled at the U18 level this year with BCs Elite Youth Sevens program, touring to Vegas, Hong Kong, Germany and Victoria.
I expect the returning players from last year to provide leadership and experience, Stiles added. Coach Weidner and I love that each player on the squad has the responsibility and capability to contribute to the teams success.
Stiles knows the field will again be competitive at Nationals, with his side having to face Quebec, Newfoundland and Alberta before they even think about the playoff rounds.
Historically, Ontario seems to be our primary competitor, Stiles added. However, I do not underestimate any opposition. Each province will have high expectations going to the Nationals and it is essential that we respect each team we face.
Im looking forward to helping this team reach its potential, Stiles added.
BC-Gold will kick off their 2014 campaign against Quebec on Tuesday, August 5th at 3:00pm at Calgary Rugby Park. The BC-Blue are up against New Brunswick at 10:30am.
For more information including full schedules, rosters and live streaming details, visit www.cdnfestivalrugby.com
2014 BC U16-Gold (BC-1) Nationals Schedule
All matches played at Calgary Rugby Park (Kickoffs in MST)
Tues. Aug 5, 3:00pm: BC-1 vs Quebec
Wed. Aug 6, 1:30pm: BC-1 vs Newfoundland
Thurs. Aug 7, 3:00pm: Alberta vs BC-1
Sat. Aug 9, TBC: Playoff Rounds
Sun. Aug 10, TBC: Playoff Rounds
BC U16-Gold (BC-1) Mens Roster
Riley Burns (West Van / Capilano RFC)
Chris Combs (Yale Secondary / Abbotsford RFC)^^
Elias Ergas (Collingwood / Capilano RFC)^^
Wylie Gillette (Earl Marriott / Bayside AA)^^
Flynn Heyes (Carson Graham / Capilano RFC)
Sam Hughes (Handsworth / Capilano RFC)
Kyle Joe (Cowichan Secondary / Cowichan Rugby Club)^^
Gavin Kratz (Oak Bay / Castaway Wanderers RFC)^^
Josh Long (Yale Secondary / Abbotsford RFC)^^
Michael Mann (South Delta / Brit Lions)^^
Logan Martin-Feek (Claremont / Velox RFC)^^
Charlie Moore (South Delta / Brit Lions)
Tyler Nylander (Carson Graham / Capilano RFC)
Nick Pearce (Argyle / Capilano RFC)
Brennig Prevost (Glen-Lyon Norfolk / Castaway Wanderers RFC)^^
James Richards (Lake City / Falcons)
Will Sauder (St. Georges / Vancouver Rowing Club)^^
Jackson Silvester-Lee (Earl Marriott / Bayside AA)
Michael Smith (Earl Marriott)^^
Christoph Stangl (Carson Graham / Capilano RFC)
Jared Thind (Southridge / Bayside AA) ^^
Sam Turner (St. Georges / Vancouver Rowing Club)
Lucas de Vries (St. Michaels / Nanaimo Hornets)^^
David Wensley (West Van / Capilano RFC)
Colton Zayshley (Lord Tweedsmuir)
^^ Denotes graduates of U14-U15 BC Rugby provincial programs
Team Staff:
Head Coach: Mike Stiles
Assistant Coach: Danny Weidner
Manager: John Smith
Athletic Therapist: Alvin Tseng
2014 BC U16-Blue (BC-2) Nationals Schedule
All matches played at Calgary Rugby Park (Kickoffs in MST)
Tues. Aug 5, 10:30am: BC-2 vs New Brunswick
Wed. Aug 6, 12:00pm: BC-2 vs Ontario-2
Thurs. Aug 7, 4:30pm: Ontario-1 vs BC-2
Sat. Aug 9, TBC: Playoff Rounds
Sun. Aug 10, TBC: Playoff Rounds
BC U16-Blue (BC-2) Mens Roster
Nathan Bice (Shawnigan Lake School)
Matt Calderone (Robert Bateman / Abbotsford RFC)
Kyle Clarke (Claremont Secondary)
Spencer Cooper (St. Georges / Vancouver Rowing Club)
Dillon Cusker (New Westminster / Burnaby Lake RC)^^
Rhys Daniels (McRoberts / Richmond RFC)
Raphael Espejo (Charles Tupper / Burnaby Lake RC)^^
Matt Francoeur (Robert Bateman / Abbotsford RFC)
Matthew Fraser (Yale Secondary / Abbotsford RFC)^^
Ryan Hanley (West Van / Capilano RFC)
Alex Hedley (Francis Kelsey / Cowichan Rugby Club)
John Jubenvill (Earl Marriott / Bayside AA)
Connor King (Oak Bay / Castaway Wanderers RFC)
Chayanne Khodabandeh (Burnaby North / Burnaby Lake RC)^^
Jake Lan (Rockridge / Capilano RFC)
Callum Masterton (Oak Bay / Castaway Wanderers RFC)
Karl Mattison (Francis Kelsey / Cowichan Rugby Club)
Connor McGarry (Francis Kelsey / Cowichan Rugby Club)
Nicolas Mouret (Shawnigan Lake School)
Seth Purdey (Shawnigan Lake School)
Jonas Robinson (Saint Michaels / Castaway Wanderers RFC)^^
Brandon Schellenberger (Oak Bay / Castaway Wanderers RFC)^^
Brayden Tate (Oak Bay / Castaway Wanderers RFC)^^
Cameron Tomm (WJ Mouat)
Carter White (Oak Bay / Castaway Wanderers RFC)
^^ Denotes graduates of U14-U15 BC Rugby provincial programs
Team Staff:
Head Coach: Chris Haynes
Assistant Coach: Bruce Rainer
Manager: Leana Marton
Athletic Therapist: Jennifer Hewko
*BC Announce Team Staff for Provincial U16 Program*
posted March 12 2013
BCRU Press Release
VANCOUVER, BC – The team staff for BC’s under-16 men’s provincial program has been announced for the 2014 season. Mike Stiles of Vancouver has been appointed head coach of BC-Gold and will be assisted by North Vancouver’s Danny Weidner who makes the move up from BC’s U14 program.
BC will again be sending a second U16 team to Nationals and the coaching staff from the 2013 bronze-medal winning BC-Blue team will return for this year’s trip to Calgary. Coaching tandem Chris Haynes of Kelowna and Bruce Rainer of North Vancouver will be preparing for their second National Festival together.
The U16 BC-Gold team will be looking to lift their fourth straight national title in Calgary this summer with the 2014 Rugby Canada National Festival Championships scheduled for August 6-10 at Calgary Rugby Park.
We are very happy to have all these coaches involved in the program. Both Mike and Danny have been involved with our U14 Program for a number of years and have coached many of the athletes moving forward to the U16s,” said Dave Brown, BC Rugby Provincial Coach and Development Manager. “In addition, they have been very active at schools and clubs working with athletes in this context. Chris and Bruce return to their roles with the U16 Blue squad, providing support and a quality experience for our athletes
BC-Gold – Head Coach Mike Stiles, Assistant Coach Danny Weidner
Head coach Mike Stiles previously spent five years with the BC U14 boys provincial program and is now the Head of Rugby and Head Coach of St. George’s School in Vancouver.
A graduate of UVic’s rugby program, Stiles has coached high school boys since 1998. Stiles’ first coaching assignment was with Parkland in Victoria before working with Semiahmoo (White Rock) and Lower Mainland schools Mulgrave (North Vancouver) and St. George’s.
“I feel passionate about youth rugby and wanted to contribute to development and growth of rugby in BC and Canada,” said Stiles, when asked about why he applied for the position. “I love the game of rugby. The skill, the flow, the battles and the total team commitment make it the ideal team sport to play and coach.”
Stiles has a plan in place for the U16 program and looks forward to working with the province’s top young players this season.
“Once the team is selected and their collective strengths are assessed, we (Danny and I) will provide the team with a solid foundation for open play and static play in attack, individual and team defence, counter-attack, tactics and unit play,” Stiles added. “We will want the players to execute basic skills quicker than our opposition. Finally, I plan to provide our primary decision makers with situations that will lead to our team success.”
BC-Blue – Head Coach Chris Haynes, Assistant Coach Bruce Rainer
Head Coach Chris Haynes will return for his third year with the BC-Blue program having been an assistant in 2012 and head coach in 2013. Haynes has previously coached with the Okanagan regional sides at the Provincial Regional Championships for five years and has been a coach at Kelowna Secondary School for seven. During his time at Kelowna Secondary, Haynes coached the program to two top-10 provincial finishes.
“I am looking forward to meeting with returning coaches and players from last season and challenging my abilities to bring the best from the athletes,” said Haynes. “My goals for the U16 BC-Blue are to meet and excel the athletes’ expectations and ensure that their experiences are positive ones.”
“Coaching at the BC level is a privilege that is not afforded to all and it has been the highlight of my coaching career so far,” Haynes added.
PRCs and Nationals
The primary selection tool for BC’s U16 teams is through the Provincial Regional Championships held every summer at UBC’s Wolfson Fields in Vancouver. The U15 PRCs (birth year 1999) are scheduled for June 27-29 and the U16 PRCs (birth year 1998) are scheduled for July 4-6.