[editor’s comments below]
I have to admit when I started BCRN in 2005, I occasionally got the spellings mixed up. Which was Tait and which was Tate again? It didn’t take me long to figure it out. They were (and are) two of my favourite rugby people to meet along the sidelines. They both exuded an honesty and warmth and I was usually met with a wry smile as they anticipated some questions from the “press”.
High School Rugby
We’ve heard that the OFSSA, the Ontario Federation of School Sports, has cancelled spring sports, so no rugby for a second year. There’s been no decision, as far as we know, about BC School Sports. Under current BC Health regulations, sports wouldn’t be possible, there’s the hope that the BC Health authority will loosen up regulations as the weather warms up and COVID numbers go down. It’s a wait and see situation at the moment.
[ed. comments below]
When I first heard about this my first thought was, only Rugby Canada can create a rugby drama when there’s no rugby. People were messaging and texting, what’s with the women’s rugby 7s program?
Although we’re a ways away from full contact rugby in BC, perhaps April, the discussions going on in Europe now may give a hint of what’s in store. The European discussions may actually be more pertinent to MLR as a pro league than amateur club rugby in BC but it’s a place to start.
An article by Bryan Ray was featured in CBC Halifax. Bryan is better known in the rugby community as one of the Editors of Americas Rugby News but is now listed as an Associate Producer with CBC Halifax, congrats Bryan.
This is the Christmas message we used in 2017, the part thanking sponsors and supporters, not much has changed in that regard. We’ve added Gilbert Canada to the sponsorship family, so a special shout out to them in 2020 and their Sales Manager, Robin MacDowell.
There has been a lot written lately about transgender athletes in sports and particularly in rugby as World Rugby recently presented guidelines that recommended transwomen were not to play women’s contact rugby at the international level based on safety concerns. They also stated that national unions could apply their own guidelines on contact rugby below the international level. Rugby Canada did this and have a policy that allows transwomen to participate in women’s contact rugby at all levels (below international level).
Will Percillier Top 14 Try
Former Canada U20 scrum half Will Percillier scored a try for Stade Francais Paris in his first run out with the senior team. He subbed in off the bench and showed strong support work to claim his first Top 14 try. Percillier played his high school rugby at Brentwood and then went on to UBC.
Internationals This Weekend
Some top matches coming up this weekend and we’ll have them available for download in our members area.
Interview with Tyler Ardron on Rugby World
Rugby World recently posted an interview with Tyler Ardron, where you find out things like his best bud who is Jeff Hassler and his hidden talents, he’s a yoga teacher. Article link is below.
https://www.rugbyworld.com/in-the-mag/30-minutes/canada-no-8-tyler-ardron-114286