A Look Back at the Vancouver Island Rugby Union Centenary Program of 1976-77: Featured Cardiff v Crimson Tide, Canada v Crimson Tide, BC v England U23 and Canada v USA

The VIRU celebrated their centenary (1876-1976) in 1977 as part of the 1976-77 season. They created a program for the occasion that provides a compact historical record of the event. The event took place between May 17th and May 28th and featured four games, three played on the Island at Royal Athletic Park and one on the Mainland.

Continue reading→

Marius Felix Recounts His Memories of the Vancouver Island Crimson Tide as a Player and Coach

I was delighted to get a message from John Lyall and Mark (McRugby) Bryant about a request to write a portion of the Crimson Tide history, both from a players and coach’s perspective.

Continue reading→

It’s a Try! The History of Rugby in Canada – 1100 Page Book That Covers Rugby in Canada From its Beginning

I had a chance to meet Doug Sturrock the other day and chat about history and rugby. He is the BCRU official historian and was author of the book “It’s a Try! The History of Rugby in Canada”.

Continue reading→

Anniversary of BC’s Win Over the British Lions in 1966

Jason Beck, the curator of the BC Sports Hall of Fame, tweeted out a reminder this morning that today was the anniversary of possibly the greatest victory in BC rugby history.

Continue reading→

Canada v Ulster Match Report; Hybrid Rugby/Emerging Gridiron Team Claims First Tour Win; Ulster Surprised by Canadian Buck-kicking Attack – Predecessor of Garryowen

Part 1 – The Forgotten Canadian Rugby Tour of 1902-1903: 22 Games Over 56 Days With Wins Over Ulster, Bristol, London Welsh, London Scottish and North of Scotland

The first Canadian rugby tour to the UK took place in December 1902, it lasted 56 days and during that time 22 matches were played. We call it the forgotten tour as it hasn’t been celebrated and recognized by either Rugby Canada or World Rugby. It predates the famous 1905 All Blacks tour to the UK.

Continue reading→

The Forgotten Canadian Rugby Tour of 1902-1903: 22 Games Over 56 Days With Wins Over Ulster, Bristol, London Welsh, London Scottish and North of Scotland

The Canadian rugby tour of 1902-03 to the UK isn’t well documented. It’s a tour that deserves some recognition, it was the first Canadian rugby tour overseas, it even predates the famous All Blacks 1905 tour to the UK.

Continue reading→