BC Gold Win Western Canadian Championship Series
It was a busy weekend of rugby in BC with the high school Provincials wrapping up, the national women’s 7s team at the HSBC SVNS tournament in Spain so the BC vs Alberta women’s XVs matches may have been overlooked a bit. Kudos to the BCRU for putting out a summary on Monday. Basically both the BC teams, Gold and Blue, won their matches against Alberta in convincing fashion. BC Gold, the Mainland, won the overall competition due to their win over BC Blue, the Island, in the first match. That result was a bit closer at 35-20.
The women may have got the short end of the stick in the video coverage, first the BC Blue v BC Gold game at Shawnigan wasn’t streamed as planned due to technical difficulty, then the games versus Alberta were shot using the Veo system, the traffic cam of rugby coverage, without commentary. Hopefully next year there will be better video coverage of the series.
from BCRU
The BC Gold Senior Women’s Team celebrated winning the inaugural 2026 Western Canadian Championship Series following the conclusion of the tournament this past week.
Thanks to funding from the Canadian Rugby Foundation, the Round Robin Senior Women’s Series took place May 23-31 and featured three matches between BC Blue, BC Gold and the Alberta Wolfpack at Shawnigan Lake School and Abbotsford Exhibition Park.
It was the BC Gold team that came out victorious following a 35-20 win over BC Blue in the Series opener at Shawnigan, before securing the trophy with a 39-5 triumph over the travelling Wolfpack in Abbotsford on May 29.
BC Blue took second place with a closing 43-3 win over the Wolfpack on May 31, also at Abbotsford’s Rotary Stadium.
Results from the Series are as follows:
Game 1: BC Blue 20-35 BC Gold – Shawnigan Lake School – May 23
Game 2: BC Gold 39-5 Alberta Wolfpack – Abbotsford Rotary Stadium – May 29
Game 3: BC Blue 43-3 Alberta Wolfpack – Abbotsford Rotary Stadium – May 31
Recaps of each game can be found below.
Match videos are available on the BC Rugby YouTube Channel here.
Photo Galleries from each game can be found here.
GAME 3: BC BLUE 43-3 ALBERTA WOLFPACK
BC Blue clinched second place in the Series with a 43-3 victory over the Alberta Wolfpack on May 31, who showed exceptional defensive grit and determination against their BC opponents.
Despite a nervy, error-strewn start for both sides, it was Blue that eventually gained control of the match with well worked tries that stretched play from side-to-side. However, the Wolfpack defense remained sprightly throughout and thwarted several Blue attacks to keep the score down.
A second half onslaught from the Blues put the match beyond reach and locked up second spot for the Vancouver Island side.
Date: Sunday, May 31
Kick-off: 1:00pm PST
Venue: Abbotsford Rotary Stadium
BC BLUE ROSTER
- Josie Anzai – Castaway Wanderers
- Brittany Sims – Westshore RFC
- Chelsey Minter – Westshore RFC
- Faith Tilley – Castaway Wanderers
- Piper Walsh – Westshore RFC
- Amelia Gallow – Comox Valley Kickers
- Brooke Horsfall – Westshore RFC
- Jesse Knaggs – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Emilie Sinclair – Westshore RFC
- Elle Douglas – Westshore RFC
- Cypress Des Ormeaux Schmidt – Westshore RFC
- Maggie MacKinnon – Westshore RFC
- Kyla Warren – Westshore RFC
- Cali McKay – Comox Valley Kickers
- Emily Currey – Castaway Wanderers
- Remee Brown – Castaway Wanderers
- Chanelle Edwards-Challenger – Castaway Wanderers
- Sasha McKee – Westshore RFC
- Mack Wilson – Nanaimo Hornets RFC
- Marina Skakun – Castaway Wanderers
- Anna Plate – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Alex Motherwell – Castaway Wanderers
- Macy Wiebe – Cowichan RFC
- Emilie Brett – Westshore RFC
GAME 2: BC GOLD 35-5 ALBERTA WOLFPACK
BC Gold clinched the inaugural 2026 Western Canadian Championship Series with an emphatic 35-5 triumph over the Alberta Wolfpack.
Gold showed classy finishing throughout, and looked well drilled in both their attack and defense.
The Wolfpack sparked into life for the final ten minutes of the match, going over for the game’s final try, but by that point the damage had already been done.
Date: Friday, May 29
Kick-off: 7:30pm PST
Venue: Abbotsford Rotary Stadium
BC GOLD ROSTER
- Ada Okonkwo – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Gillian Boag – Capilano RFC
- Tess Woldring – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Caleigh McMillan – Meraloma RFC
- Anya Prokopich – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Hailey Hibbs – TWU Spartans
- Jordan McLeod – UBCOB Ravens
- Temi Ogunjimi – Castaway Wanderers
- Alayna Scramstad – UBCOB Ravens
- Sarah MacPherson – Vancouver Thundebirds
- Jaime Dickson – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Lana Dueck – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Miriama Naiobasali – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Hannah Hibbs – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Demi Quickfall – Meraloma RFC
- Abi Stanley – Vancouver Thundebirds
- Sasha McKee – Westshore RFC
- Talia Hennesy – UBCOB Ravens
- Chelsea Rodgers – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Angelina Alexander – UBCOB Ravens
- Hailey Carroll – James Bay AA
- Vela Baravian – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Chloe Bong – Vancouver Thundebirds
- Catrin Taylor – Vancouver Thunderbirds
GAME 1: BC BLUE 20-35 BC GOLD
BC Gold claimed the bragging rights against their Island rivals as they took a 35-20 victory in Game 1 of the Round Robin Series, which featured fantastic attacking play by both teams. Blues edged ahead with the opening try, before the Gold team kicked into gear and raced into a 30-10 lead.
Despite a late Blues resurgence, the Gold team held out to take control of the Series.
BC BLUE ROSTER
- Sierra Gillis (C) – Westshore RFC
- Remee Brown – Castaway Wanderers
- Chelsey Minter – Westshore RFC
- Faith Tilley – Castaway Wanderers
- Piper Walsh – Westshore RFC
- Jesse Knaggs – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Brooke Horsfall – Westshore RFC
- Marina Skakun – Castaway Wanderers
- Emilie Sinclair – Westshore RFC
- Elle Douglas – Westshore RFC
- Kyla Warren – Westshore RFC
- Maggie MacKinnon (C) – Westshore RFC
- Maddy Grant – UVIC Vikes
- Emily Currey – Castaway Wanderers
- Ella O’Regan – Castaway Wanderers
- Brittany Sims – Westshore RFC
- Josie Anzai – Castaway Wanderers
- Mack Wilson – Nanaimo Hornets RFC
- Amelia Gallow – Comox Valley Kickers
- Alex Motherwell – Castaway Wanderers
- Macy Wiebe – Cowichan Rugby Club
- Emilie Brett – Westshore RFC
- Belle Rousseau – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Cali McKay – Comox Valley Kickers
BC GOLD ROSTER
- Ada Okonkwo – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Gillian Boag – Capilano RFC
- Tess Woldring – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Rachel Smith – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Anya Prokopich – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Kimberly Sinow – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Jordan McLeod – UBCOB Ravens
- Temi Ogunjimi – Castaway Wanderers RFC
- Hailey Carol – James Bay AA
- Lana Dueck – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Hannah Hibbs – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Flora Poole – Meraloma RFC
- Vela Baravian – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Jaime Dickson – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Sarah MacPherson – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Abi Stanley – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Alli Dobson – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Elyce Thomas – Meraloma RFC
- Jessica Nelson – Meraloma RFC
- Chelsea Rodgers – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Hailey Hibbs – TWU Spartans
- Miriama Naiobasali – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Chloe Bong – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Catrin Taylor – Vancouver Thunderbirds
BC Gold Defeat BC Blue 35-20
The live stream didn’t materialize so unfortunately we don’t know much about the match itself except the result, 35-20 for BC Gold. The BCRU have indicated they will post the video to their YouTube channel when they have the opportunity. We’ll post the link here and do a summary when that’s available.
Rosters Announced for Women’s BC Gold vs BC Blue Match
It will be BC Blue vs BC Gold at 12:30pm on Saturday as a curtain raiser to the BC vs Ontario men’s match. The BC Blue team is the Island team and BC Gold the mainland team. Both teams will play Alberta next weekend in Abbotsford on Friday and Sunday matches. The live stream link from the BCRU is posted below.
BC BLUE ROSTER
Head Coach: Olly Winser – Castaway Wanderers/UVIC Vikes
Assistant Coach: Tyson Beukeboom – Cowichan RFC/Trailfinders Women
- Sierra Gillis (C) – Westshore RFC
- Remee Brown – Castaway Wanderers
- Chelsey Minter – Westshore RFC
- Faith Tilley – Castaway Wanderers
- Piper Walsh – Westshore RFC
- Jesse Knaggs – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Brooke Horsfall – Westshore RFC
- Marina Skakun – Castaway Wanderers
- Emilie Sinclair – Westshore RFC
- Elle Douglas – Westshore RFC
- Kyla Warren – Westshore RFC
- Maggie MacKinnon (C) – Westshore RFC
- Maddy Grant – UVIC Vikes
- Emily Currey – Castaway Wanderers
- Ella O’Regan – Castaway Wanderers
- Brittany Sims – Westshore RFC
- Josie Anzai – Castaway Wanderers
- Mack Wilson – Nanaimo Hornets RFC
- Amelia Gallow – Comox Valley Kickers
- Alex Motherwell – Castaway Wanderers
- Macy Wiebe – Cowichan Rugby Club
- Emilie Brett – Westshore RFC
- Belle Rousseau – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Cali McKay – Comox Valley Kickers
BC GOLD ROSTER
Head Coach: Dean Murten – Vancouver Thunderbirds
Assistant Coach: Jake Thiel – Vancouver Thunderbirds
Assistant Coach: Matt Fraser – Vancouver Thunderbirds
Assistant Coach: Demi Stamatikis – Capilano RFC
Assistant Coach: Jocelyn Muller – Meraloma RFC
Team Manager: Larissa Nogacz – UBC Thunderbirds
- Ada Okonkwo – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Gillian Boag – Capilano RFC
- Tess Woldring – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Rachel Smith – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Anya Prokopich – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Kimberly Sinow – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Jordan McLeod – UBCOB Ravens
- Temi Ogunjimi – Castaway Wanderers RFC
- Hailey Carol – James Bay AA
- Lana Dueck – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Hannah Hibbs – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Flora Poole – Meraloma RFC
- Vela Baravian – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Jaime Dickson – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Sarah MacPherson – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Abi Stanley – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Alli Dobson – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Elyce Thomas – Meraloma RFC
- Jessica Nelson – Meraloma RFC
- Chelsea Rodgers – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Hailey Hibbs – TWU Spartans
- Miriama Naiobasali – Burnaby Lake RFC
- Chloe Bong – Vancouver Thunderbirds
- Catrin Taylor – Vancouver Thunderbirds
from BC Rugby
BC Rugby is delighted to announce the BC Blue and BC Gold Senior Women’s Rosters ahead of the Western Canada Cup Championship against the Rugby Alberta Wolfpack.
Thanks to funding from the Canadian Rugby Foundation, BC’s Blue and Gold Teams will host the Wolfpack for a double header at Abbotsford Rotary Stadium on May 29-31.
BC Blue and BC Gold will kick off the round-robin Championship in a scintillating curtain-raiser to the BC Bears vs. Rugby Ontario Blues Canada Cup clash at Shawnigan Lake School on Saturday, May 23.
The action will then head to Abbotsford as BC Gold faces the Wolfpack on Friday, May 29 before the travelling Alberta team faces BC Blue on Sunday, May 31. Fixtures/kick-off times are below:
Game 1: BC Blue vs BC Gold – Shawnigan Lake School – May 23 – 12:30pm PST
Game 2: BC Gold vs Alberta Wolfpack – Abbotsford Rotary Stadium – May 29 – 7:30pm PST
Game 3: BC Blue vs Alberta Wolfpack – Abbotsford Rotary Stadium – May 31 – 1:00pm PST
BC Gold will be led by Head Coach Dean Murten, while BC Blue will be guided by Olly Winser, both focusing on athlete development within the senior women’s pathway.
All three matches will be livestreamed on the BC Rugby YouTube Channel, ensuring fans across the province can follow the action.