Thunder Rugby Holds Three Camps to Identify Indigenous Athletes for NZ 2022 Tour

[ed. comments below]

Last week I travelled with the Thunder Indigenous program to document their youth camps in Shawnigan Lake, Capilano and Abbotsford. The tour was supposed to continue to Kamloops and Prince George but with the wildfires closing down the Coquihalla Highway earlier that week and the air quality index a concern, the decision was made to cancel the last two stops. It turned out to be a moot point as the truck carrying the coaches and equipment broke down on the 4 lane highway between Vancouver and Abbotsford. The truck decided it wasn’t going any further than Abbotsford anyway.

Continue reading→

Thunder Rugby BC Summer Tour: Camps in Prince Rupert, Shawnigan, Capilano, Abbotsford, Kamloops and Prince George – Sign Up Online

Thunder Indigenous Rugby are on the road in July and August holding camps in Prince Rupert, Shawnigan, Capilano, Abbotsford, Kamloops and Prince George. Although focused on identifying Indigenous athletes all aspiring rugby players are welcome to join in. The camps are free. Youth attending need to be covered by the BCRU/RC insurance, either through their local rugby club or by signing up for the BCRU/RC insurance as a Thunder player. More details and camp signup can be found at: https://thunderrugby.ca/index.php/thunder-rugby-bc-tour-august-16-23-2021/

Continue reading→

Thunder Indigenous Rugby in Partnership with Canadian Rugby Foundation Launch Fund for Annual Indigenous Youth Rugby Tour – National Indigenous Peoples Day

On National Indigenous Peoples Day it merits looking at what rugby is doing to help Indigenous Peoples in BC. That conversation would quickly turn to the Thunder Indigenous Rugby organization featuring former national team players Bobby Ross (Songhees Nation) and Phil Mack (Toquaht Nation) as leading figures. Director of Thunder Rugby is John Lyall, a rugby player for over 25 years, who is of Kwakwaka’wakw descent. They’re focused on creating opportunities through rugby for Indigenous youth.

Continue reading→

UBC Men’s Rugby Academy (16 to 19) Starts May 18th – Options for Tuesday and/or Thursday Evenings: Registration Open

If you’re a young rugby player between 16 and 19 with aspirations to play high performance rugby at university, in the MLR or for the national team then you should probably tap into the UBC Academy.

Continue reading→

BC Grassroots Rugby and Thunder Indigenous Rugby Sign MOU to Promote Youth Rugby in BC

Two organizations focused on youth rugby in BC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to promote youth rugby in BC.

Both organizations have former Canada national team players of Indigenous heritage in leadership positions. Phil Mack of the Toquaht Nation represented Thunder rugby and Clay Panga of Maori descent represented Grassroots Rugby at the signing.Continue reading→

Registration Poster for MacDowell Rugby Academy at Cowichan Secondary School

The registration poster for the MacDowell Rugby Academy at Cowichan Secondary School is below. The program starts September 2021 and runs until June 2022. There are instructions for CSS students and BC residents, also separate instructions for Out of Province and International students.

Continue reading→

Webinar “Beyond High School Rugby” Organized by Adam Roberts for High School Students: Fourteen University Programs Participating – March 3rd 7:30pm

Contact Adam Roberts to register at roberts_a@surreyschools.ca.

Continue reading→

Cowichan Valley Board of Education Partners with MacDowell Rugby Academy to Add Classes on Sport, Leadership & Rugby at Cowichan Secondary School

Congratulations to Robin MacDowell for getting his Rugby Academy program adopted by the Cowichan Valley School District. It means students in Grades 10-12 will be able to add rugby to their regular classes. The Cowichan Valley School District media release is below.

Continue reading→

Thunder Rugby Phil Mack Award Nominations Open

Each year Thunder Rugby awards the Phil Mack Trophy to the Thunder Indigenous Player of the Year.

Continue reading→

BC Announce U16 Teams for Nationals: BC Gold and BC Blue

posted July 31 2014

BCRU Media Release

VANCOUVER, BC – British Columbia’s under-16 men’s provincial program heads into next week’s National Festival Championships in Calgary as the three-time defending champions. The BC-Gold (BC-1) team’s streak began at Calgary Rugby Park in 2011, when the squad downed Newfoundland 88-5 for the national title. BC-Blue (B-2) have also enjoyed recent success at Nationals, having won three straight bronze medals in their division.

Continue reading→