Week 2 of BCRU Club Schedule: Fixtures, League Leaders and Coastal Cup Matches
It’s week 2 of the BCRU club schedule. Here are some of the league leaders after Week 1.
It’s week 2 of the BCRU club schedule. Here are some of the league leaders after Week 1.
by Mike Devlin
The Burnaby Lake Rugby Club & UVIC Rugby community lost a dear friend on Oct 6 2021 with the tragic passing of Steve Batie. Steve was originally from Ladysmith BC and started his rugby career there before moving onto the UVIC Vikes. He represented Canada at the 2003 U21 World Cup before moving his studies to BCIT and joining the BLRC. Steve donned the Blue & White for 14 seasons, winning provincial championships and representing the BC Bears on numerous occasions including their game vs Oxford at Brockton Oval and in the BCRU 100th anniversary South American tour where he started in games vs Buenos Aires and the historic BC victory over Uruguay in Montevideo.
It’s the opening weekend of club rugby in BC, delayed this year due to COVID. There are over 70 matches taking place across the province ranging from senior rugby to age-grade rugby.
The Coastal Cup is ongoing in BC but the club leagues will start on October 16th. The Premier will be played in the spring, the fall leagues are Div 1, 2 and 3.
[Note: Time changes at MacDonald Park]
It’s the second weekend of full action in BC Rugby and the second weekend of the Coastal Cup. Most of the club games are exhibition as teams get used to full contact again.
Congratulations to John Tait on the appointment and to BC Rugby for having the common sense to hire him. He built the national women’s 7s program to be one of the best in the world, when he left the program it took a rapid nosedive. We look forward to seeing what John can do for BC Rugby in improving its programs.
I remember when keeping track of Tait or Tate when referring to the high performance coaches, John and Doug, caused some editorial grievance. Child’s play now. There’s a new editorial conundrum looming, keeping track of the Carson’s. There are 7 of them playing in BC and most of them are on track to play for Canada, with two already capped at the senior level in XVs and 7s.
[ed. if your local newspaper has a story about your club and its plans for rugby this fall, email us the link, editor@bcrugbynews.com]
from Nanaimo News Now
NANAIMO Hornets rugby is returning to Nanaimo with fall programs for all ages.
Practices for the fall season begin Sept. 7 for the mens team and Sept. 9 for the women.
The Point Grey Thunder are really a UBC Rugby League team and they just won the BC Rugby League championship this weekend. UBC’s rugby coach, Curry Hitchborn, has been an advocate of playing as much rugby as you can, even if it’s another code. The skills picked up in Rugby League transfer well to Union, and vice-versa.
[ed. This schedule does not include the Coastal Cup, the high level regional men’s competition starting September 25th.]
The Age-Grade Fall season will properly get underway at the Kamloops 7s over the Thanksgiving weekend and build to the Regional Championships, while Senior Club leagues will start October 16 and run for eight weeks ahead of a fully-competitive Spring season.