rugby

The U.S. has launched a bid to host both the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup with Vancouver billed as a potential host city. Canada’s Corey Thomas tackles Chile’s Nicolas Garafulic during the second half of a Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification match at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., on Saturday, October 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Vancouver could help host as U.S. launches Rugby World Cup bid

U.S. bid is to host the men’s tournament in 2027 or 2031 and the women’s event in 2029

 

Canada's Alysha Corrigan, front left, passes the ball as Britain's Megan Jones grabs her during a women's HSBC Canada Sevens rugby match in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

Vancouver, Langford both back on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series calendar in 2022

Men coming to Vancouver, as global series announces pair of 2022 events in Canada

 

Canada’s Renee Gonzalez, left, is tackled by United States’ Sarah Levy during HSBC Canada Sevens women’s semifinal rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, September 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Rugby Canada provides details of its high-performance program review

Panel named and parameters given for review triggered by complaints from the women’s sevens team

 

Canada’s Jake Thiel, left, jumps for the ball against Australia’s Nick Malouf during the Challenge Trophy final at the World Rugby Sevens Series action in Vancouver, B.C., March 10, 2019. Only seven of the men’s core teams are taking part in next week’s HSBC Canada Sevens in Vancouver with New Zealand. Fiji, Australia, Argentina, Japan, France and Samoa among those missing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms

Field for Canadian rugby sevens events diluted by pandemic-related issues

New Zealand. Fiji, Australia, Argentina, Japan, France and Samoa among countries missing

Canada’s Jake Thiel, left, jumps for the ball against Australia’s Nick Malouf during the Challenge Trophy final at the World Rugby Sevens Series action in Vancouver, B.C., March 10, 2019. Only seven of the men’s core teams are taking part in next week’s HSBC Canada Sevens in Vancouver with New Zealand. Fiji, Australia, Argentina, Japan, France and Samoa among those missing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms
Medical school is in the future for 23-year-old Michael Smith, shown in a handout photo. But first the Canadian flanker is focusing on his rugby education. Smith is learning from the best with back-rower Chris Robshaw, a former England captain, at the Legion. San Diego takes on the Toronto Arrows in Major League rugby play Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-San Diego Legion MANDATORY CREDIT

White Rock’s Michael Smith flourishing in MLR with the San Diego Legion

Other Canadians on the Legion roster include fellow backrower Travis Larsen

Medical school is in the future for 23-year-old Michael Smith, shown in a handout photo. But first the Canadian flanker is focusing on his rugby education. Smith is learning from the best with back-rower Chris Robshaw, a former England captain, at the Legion. San Diego takes on the Toronto Arrows in Major League rugby play Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-San Diego Legion MANDATORY CREDIT
Chris Atkinson. (torontoarrows.com)

Cloverdale kid played for Toronto Arrows

Tweedy grad Chris Atkinson laced up boots for Toronto’s professional rugby team

Chris Atkinson. (torontoarrows.com)
Victoria teenager Quinn Ngawati, who became the first Canadian-born player to appear for the Toronto Wolfpack, interacts with fans after their game against the Gloucestershire All Golds in Kingstone Press League 1 rugby action in Toronto on Saturday, July 8, 2017. Ngawati now wears the colours of Rugby United New York. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Neil Davidson

Young Canadian back Quinn Ngawati enjoying life in Major League Rugby

Former Wolfpack coach Paul Rowley called Ngawati a ‘rough diamond’

Victoria teenager Quinn Ngawati, who became the first Canadian-born player to appear for the Toronto Wolfpack, interacts with fans after their game against the Gloucestershire All Golds in Kingstone Press League 1 rugby action in Toronto on Saturday, July 8, 2017. Ngawati now wears the colours of Rugby United New York. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Neil Davidson
South Surrey’s Kirk Arsenault has started a new company, Str8laced, that sells cleat wraps that aim to keep athletes’ shoes from coming untied during games and practices. (Contributed photo)

South Surrey sports equipment entrepreneur tying up loose ends before Alberta move

Str8laced wraps keep laces from coming loose in the middle of play, says Kirk Arsenault

South Surrey’s Kirk Arsenault has started a new company, Str8laced, that sells cleat wraps that aim to keep athletes’ shoes from coming untied during games and practices. (Contributed photo)
The mini Bayside Sharks held a touch-rugby game and practice at South Surrey Athletic Park in September. (Aaron Hinks photos)

Success of touch-rugby touted across B.C. as Bayside preps for second session in 2021

‘We fully expect the numbers will continue to grow’ as touch rugby gains popularity

The mini Bayside Sharks held a touch-rugby game and practice at South Surrey Athletic Park in September. (Aaron Hinks photos)
Bayside junior players warm up prior to a two-day rugby camp held earlier this summer. The South Surrey club has recently announced the launch of its touch rugby league, which begins this week at South Surrey Athletic Park. (Contributed photo)

Bayside Sharks launch touch-rugby program in South Surrey

‘It’s pretty exciting to finally get back out there,’ says club executive member Andrew Fiddis

Bayside junior players warm up prior to a two-day rugby camp held earlier this summer. The South Surrey club has recently announced the launch of its touch rugby league, which begins this week at South Surrey Athletic Park. (Contributed photo)
BC Rugby has green lit the sports return across the province, but full contact is not yet permitted, nor is the touch version of the sport. (Don Wright photo)

Bayside Sharks ‘getting creative’ as rugby players get set for return to pitch

BC Rugby’s return-to-play guidelines announced July 7

BC Rugby has green lit the sports return across the province, but full contact is not yet permitted, nor is the touch version of the sport. (Don Wright photo)
The Surrey Beavers and the Trinity Western Spartans scrum down in a game at Sullivan Heights Park Nov 22, 2019. B.C. Rugby recently released its return to play plan, but it looks like games may not be played before September 2021. (Photo: Malin Jordan)

Rugby practices to return to Lower Mainland fields this fall

B.C. Rugby announced its return to play plan July 7

The Surrey Beavers and the Trinity Western Spartans scrum down in a game at Sullivan Heights Park Nov 22, 2019. B.C. Rugby recently released its return to play plan, but it looks like games may not be played before September 2021. (Photo: Malin Jordan)
Organizations involved in contact sports – like the White Rock-South Surrey Titans Football Association, among others – have a number of hurdles to clear in efforts to return to the field this year. (Contributed photo)

Navigating safety issues ‘especially challenging’ for South Surrey contact-sports organizations

Football, rugby groups await green light to return to play

Organizations involved in contact sports – like the White Rock-South Surrey Titans Football Association, among others – have a number of hurdles to clear in efforts to return to the field this year. (Contributed photo)
TWU Spartan Daniel Clement rises into the air to reel in a line-out throw during a night game at Sullivan Heights Park Nov. 22, 2019. Bayside rugby director Andy Blackburn ignited some chatter in April when he once again floated the idea to change the structure of the province’s rugby season. (Photo: Malin Jordan)

OPINION: Should BC Rugby change the structure of their season?

Disjointed game schedule adds to player safety issues and participation burnout

TWU Spartan Daniel Clement rises into the air to reel in a line-out throw during a night game at Sullivan Heights Park Nov. 22, 2019. Bayside rugby director Andy Blackburn ignited some chatter in April when he once again floated the idea to change the structure of the province’s rugby season. (Photo: Malin Jordan)
Bayside Sharks’ director of rugby Andy Blackburn would like to see the province’s club season moved from its current schedule to one that runs from March until early July. (Don Wright photo)

Bayside rugby coach makes pitch for season shift

Andy Blackburn suggests COVID-19 cancellation could be impetus for BC Rugby change

Bayside Sharks’ director of rugby Andy Blackburn would like to see the province’s club season moved from its current schedule to one that runs from March until early July. (Don Wright photo)
A group of Bayside Sharks have started a Facebook group that aims to help people in need during the COVID-19 crisis. (Don Wright photo)

Bayside Rugby starts Facebook group that aims to help during COVID-19 crisis

South Surrey organization hopes to connect those in need with others who can help

A group of Bayside Sharks have started a Facebook group that aims to help people in need during the COVID-19 crisis. (Don Wright photo)
Earl Marriott Secondary’s senior boys rugby team – which won a provincial triple-A championship last spring – is currently in London, U.K., trying to return home to B.C. after a planned two-week trip through Europe was scuttled due to the COVID-19 virus. (Janice Croze photo)

South Surrey rugby team tries to get home from U.K. amid COVID-19 ‘chaos’

Earl Marriott Secondary senior boys rugby squad currently in London

Earl Marriott Secondary’s senior boys rugby team – which won a provincial triple-A championship last spring – is currently in London, U.K., trying to return home to B.C. after a planned two-week trip through Europe was scuttled due to the COVID-19 virus. (Janice Croze photo)
A pair of Abbotsford RFC defenders resort to holding a Black Sheep player’s jersey to stop him from advancing toward the end zone, midway through a B.C. Rugby Union game in December 2018 at the Port Alberni rugby club. Abbotsford won 45-32. SUSAN QUINN PHOTO

BC Rugby suspends weekend games, any out-of-province travel over COVID-19

League taking cautious approach in wake of pandemic status

A pair of Abbotsford RFC defenders resort to holding a Black Sheep player’s jersey to stop him from advancing toward the end zone, midway through a B.C. Rugby Union game in December 2018 at the Port Alberni rugby club. Abbotsford won 45-32. SUSAN QUINN PHOTO
After an up-and-down start to the season, the Bayside Sharks Div. 1 men’s rugby team is heating up as playoffs near. (Don Wright photo)

Recharged Sharks aim for playoffs after ‘well-earned’ break

Bayside rugby club mixes youth with returning veterans in quest for men’s Div. 1 title

After an up-and-down start to the season, the Bayside Sharks Div. 1 men’s rugby team is heating up as playoffs near. (Don Wright photo)
UBC Thunderbird Shoshanah Seumanutafa was named Canada West’s women’s rugby player of the year after playing a key role in UBC’s Canada West women’s rugby victory over the University of Calgary. Wilson Wong/UBC Athletics photo

Player-of-year Seumanutafa leads UBC to women’s rugby title

Surrey rugby star help Thunderbirds to first-ever Canada West rugby title

UBC Thunderbird Shoshanah Seumanutafa was named Canada West’s women’s rugby player of the year after playing a key role in UBC’s Canada West women’s rugby victory over the University of Calgary. Wilson Wong/UBC Athletics photo