From the Editor’s Desk – August 2020

Rugby Canada Update Talent ID Program; TWU Add Guiseppe du Toit to Coaching Staff; England and Wales Scrap Sevens Programs

While rugby is in a bit of a holding pattern in many parts of the world there are some updates with organizations planning for rugby to come back online in the near future. Some of it positive, using the time to update programs, some of it negative with funding being lost to programs.

Continue reading

From the Editor’s Desk – August 2020

Pacific Pride Updates; Grassroots Rugby Updates; BCRU Rugby Re-Engage Update; NZ North v South Rosters

Pacific Pride

I touched base with Jamie Cudmore over the phone to find out what’s happening there. They’re doing as much as they can while conforming to provincial health regulations. That means they’re focused on fitness and skills work in small groups, both inside in the gym and outside on the field.

Continue reading

From the Editor’s Desk – August 2020

Rugby Canada Awards; Thunder Rugby Invited to BC Legislature; Toronto Wolfpack in Trouble; Six Nations Rugby Resumes in October; Super Rugby Aotearoa Final Round in Jeopardy

There hasn’t been a lot of local rugby news and we’ve been focusing lately on where rugby is actually being played, in Super Rugby Aotearoa, NZ. But it’s time to catch up on some local news and what’s happening outside of NZ.

Continue reading

Rugby Updates – July 2020

A Look at BCRU and Rugby Canada Fees for this Fall; Will There Be Any Contact Rugby in Canada; Where in the World is Rugby Being Played Now; Plus Historical Look at Rugby During a Pandemic

A couple of questions we’ll look at in this article. How much will it cost to play touch rugby in BC, will there be contact in any provinces and where is rugby currently being played in the world.

Continue reading

From the Editor’s Desk – July 2020

Rugby Hive Podcast with Robin MacDowell; UBC Women’s Camp in August, Article in Surrey Paper on Return to Rugby

Rugby Hive Podcast

The Rugby Hive Podcast was founded by World Rugby commentator Dallen Stanford and international 7s coach Robin MacDowell in July 2020. The two co-hosts played against each other on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series with Stanford representing the USA and MacDowell, Canada.

Continue reading

Canada Day 2020

Canada Day Reflections: July 1st Past, Present and Future

Everyone has a unique view of what it means to be Canadian on Canada Day and today I thought I’d reflect on what it means to me from the perspective as editor of BC Rugby News.

Continue reading

BCRN Statement on Diversity

BCRN Statement on Diversity

Recently a reader from Ontario, posting anonymously in the comment section, suggested that our four person panel for the Super Rugby Aotearoa predictions wasn’t diverse enough. They suggested the addition of a woman and a person of colour, it was pointed out that one person was Maori, but it made me realize we need to publish our position on social issues currently occupying the headlines, consider it our statement on diversity.

Continue reading

Return to Play Updates – June 2020

NZ Professional Rugby Returns This Weekend; NZ Community Rugby Starts June 20th; U SPORTS Cancels Team Sports Until January 2021; BC Sports Face Liability Hurdles

As we try to calculate when rugby might return in BC we’ll take a look at what’s happening around the world and closer to home.

On the positive side, New Zealand are way ahead of the pack, with good COVID-19 numbers and a national insurance that covers liability issues they’re ready to roll. Professional rugby kicks off this weekend with Super Rugby Aotearoa and Community rugby kicks off June 20th with preseason warmups happening this weekend. The Super Rugby competition in NZ will be the first in the world to let the fans back in the stadiums. A couple of story links below.

Continue reading