The Island Tide v Ontario Blues match coming up Sunday at 4:15pm PT. Tide released their 28 player roster and Blues announced their 28 player travelling roster. Some interesting potential matchups.
1876 Where Rugby in BC Began: The Canteen Grounds in Esquimalt – Vancouver Island Rugby Union 150th Anniversary @JasonBeck82 @bcrugbyunion
BC Premier Finals Predictions & Rosters: Men’s Premier #1 Ravens vs #6 UVic; Women’s Premier #3 Thunderbirds vs #4 Westshore – Full Rosters All Divisions
Rugby Canada Updates – October 2025
Rugby Canada Announce Community Grants: 38 Grants for Coaching in Schools – Deadline for Application November 7th
Rugby Canada has received some federal government money for Community Sport and they’re distributing it through several programs, the first is the Coaching in Schools initiative. They’ve committed to awarding 38 grants ranging from $1000 to $4500 for Coaching in Schools. The application form is here.
MacDowell Rugby Updates – October 2025
MacDowell Rugby Holding Tour Talent ID Session At UVic on Friday, October 17th: November Mexico Tour, December NZ Tour
MacDowell Rugby is holding a talent ID session for two international tours to end the 2025 season. The ID session is this Friday at UVic’s Wallace Field, details and a registration link are below.
MLR Updates – October 2025
Major League Rugby Announces Focus on USA Rugby Qualified Players: What That Means for Canadian Rugby
There was a bit of hand wringing by Canadian rugby fans and pundits last week when Major League Rugby announced that they “will take steps from the 2026 season to increase the game day spaces available to USA Rugby qualified and pathway players to a minimum of 16 and rising from there”. It appears Canadian players will have to compete as imports for one of the 7 non-USA roster spots in 2026, and that number may decrease in future years.
BC Rugby Weekend of October 11th 2025
University Qualifier UBC Defeat TWU, Exhibition Match Valley Venom Crushed by Pacific Pride, Oakville Crusaders Junior Program on Island for Matches v Ravens and CW Taste Victory
UBC confirmed their #1 ranking as they go 4-0 in the BC University qualifying series, TWU need a massive win next weekend against UVic to qualify for the nationals. Pacific Pride dominate in the Valley with a lopsided win. The Oakville Crusaders Junior program took a double from the Ravens on Friday and Ravens edged CW on Saturday.
There are no Premier games this Thanksgiving Weekend but there are two Premier level matches taking place this weekend plus the Oakville Crusaders Junior Program are on the Island for matches with the Ravens and CW.
Regional Rugby Updates – October 2025
BCRU Revives Ruth Hellerud-Brown Regional Competition – Where’s the McKechnie Cup?
The BCRU has revived the regional competition for women this year, the Ruth Hellerud-Brown Cup. It will replace the Blue-Gold Series that was held in the spring. The RHB Cup will be an in-season competition unlike the Blue-Gold Series which took place out of season in May/June. The competition will run over four weekends from November to March during bye and make-up weekends, Nov 8th, Dec 6th, Feb 14th, March 14th. It raises questions about the status of the men’s regional competition, the McKechnie Cup.
Photo Gallery from October 4th Rugby
A Selection of Match Photos from the October 4th Weekend
We have some great photographers in BC who post on social media, mostly Instagram and Facebook. We feature 6 this weekend. If you know of other photographers on social media who cover rugby, send us the link to their account, either in the comments below or email editor@bcrugbynews.com
UBCOB Ravens – October 2025
Ravens Defend the Middle Ravens 24 – Caps 20: Report by Peter MacDonald
After two early season losses the Ravens looked like world beaters for the first 20 minutes of this game hopefully bringing a smile to Coach Taylor’s face. Constant possession, long uninterrupted phases of play with quick hands and lots of support led to two tries by the quarter. Wing Cole Keffer scooped up a blocked Caps kick, looked to pass but when a Caps player shot the gap he headed straight north on a hard cut and Joe Locke from Ethan Berry dotted down. A strong run from #10 Andrew Coe put Hamish Janes in at 20 minutes capping the early dominance and bringing the score to 12-0.
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