BC Rugby is delighted to confirm pathways for all 2024 BC Bears XVs and 7s Programs, as well as regional plans for the U20 Men’s Dunbar Keg and U17 Girls competing at the BC Summer Games.
Following the recent announcement of our 2024 BC Bears Age-Grade Coaches, we are excited to confirm development pathways and competition for all Provincial Representative Programs running this year.
2024 will be a busy year of Rugby for our BC Bears athletes, culminating in high-quality national and international competition against elite opposition. With Coaches scouting Club, School, Regional Rugby and key BC Rugby events, as well as hosting Open Talent and Identification Sessions throughout the year, athletes will have multiple opportunities to showcase their skills in a bid for selection. Additionally, our Age-Grade XVs and 7s Programs will work harmoniously to ensure athletes interested in both formats are able to maximize potential and experience.
BC Rugby will announce all ID and Development Sessions and Camps on its website and social media accounts throughout the year, while more information on each BC Bears Program can be found in the BC Bears section of our website here.
Listed below are the confirmed Programs and Pathways running for 2024.
XVs Programs & Pathways
BC Bears U19 Men’s and Women’s XVs
The BC Bears U19 Men’s and Women’s XVs teams will compete at the 2024 U19 Canadian Rugby Championships in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, on July 27-August 4, 2024.
Talent ID and Development Sessions will be confirmed for Spring 2024, with Men’s Trial Matches in May and July ahead of final squad selections in July. Final squads will then participate in a preparation camp ahead of departure to compete at the 2024 CRCs.
Key Dates:
- Spring 2024: Talent ID & Development Sessions (TBC)
- May 29: Trial match (TBC)
- July 6-7: Trial match(es) at 2024 PRCs to finalize selections
- July 2024: Preparation Camps ahead of departure to CRCs
- July 27-August 4: U19 Canadian Rugby Championships
BC Bears U18/U16 Boys and Girls XVs
The BC Bears U18 and U16 Girls and Boys XVs teams will host the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy (EIRC) for an exciting two-match Series at UBC in Vancouver this July. The EIRC is a leading USA Rugby National Development Program, with many of its academy graduates moving on to represent the USA Eagles at all levels, and will provide our Bears teams an excellent opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition.
Athletes will be able to attend Regional ID and Development Camps throughout the Spring (TBC) and are encouraged to participate at the 2024 PRCs ahead of final selections. Final squads will then be invited to a preparation camp at UBC on July 15 with matches against the EIRA on July 18 and July 20.
Key Dates:
- Spring 2024: Talent ID & Development Sessions (Regional)
- July 5-7: 2024 Provincial Regional Championships (Regional – UBC)
- July 15: Preparation Camp
- July 18: Match 1 vs. Eagle Impact Rugby Academy
- July 20: Match 2 vs. Eagle Impact Rugby Academy
Senior Women’s Blue vs. Gold Series
Working alongside Canada’s National Team Coaches, the BC Bears Senior Women’s Program will culminate in a Blue vs. Gold Series in June that will ultimately build towards identification and potential selection for Rugby Canada’s National Team Programs.
Match 1 will take place at UVIC on June 1, 2024 with Match 2 in Abbotsford. The location of Match 3 will be decided by aggregate of first two matches.
Key Dates:
- June 1: Blue vs. Gold Match 1 (UVIC)
- June 8: Blue vs. Gold Match 2 (Abbotsford – TBC)
- TBC: Blue vs. Gold Match 3
U20 Men’s Regional Dunbar Keg Competition
Returning alongside University competition at the start of the 2024/25 BC Rugby season in September-October, the Dunbar Keg will take place over 4-5 rounds to help identify and promote potential U20 athletes to the national campaigns ass well as help transition these athletes into BC Rugby Senior Club Leagues.
Key Dates:
- September-October 2024: Dunbar Keg U20 Men Competition
7s Programs and Pathways
Building towards the 2025 Canada Summer Games, athletes interested in the 7s Pathway should aim to participate in the 2024 Vancouver Sevens Invitational, 2024 BC Summer Games and BC or Club 7s. BC Bears teams will be travelling to compete at the 2024 Tropical 7s (U16 Girls) and 2024 Global Youth Sevens (U18 Boys and U18 Girls).
BC Bears U16 Girls 7s
The BC Bears U16 Girls 7s Program will travel to the 2024 Tropical 7s in Florida this March. One of the largest and most popular junior 7s tournaments in North America, the Tropical 7s brings together 170+ teams from around the globe and provides competitive divisions, international referees, and a world-class venue for the ultimate Rugby tour experience.
Key Dates:
- February 22-23: Final Selection Camp (UBC)
- March 26-31: 2024 Tropical 7s (Florida)
BC Bears U18 Boys and Girls 7s
The BC Bears U18 Boys and Girls 7s Programs will once again travel to compete at the 2024 Global Youth Sevens in Auckland, New Zealand this December. The Girls Team will be the core group preparing for the Canada Summer Games. The Global Youth Sevens is an international U18 Rugby Sevens tournament that attracts teams from the USA, Canada, Japan, Fiji, Australia, Nauru and New Zealand, including national representative teams and composite teams. This tournament is one of the world’s leading youth sevens events and provides athletes with elite competition, experiences and memories that last a lifetime.
Key Dates:
- February 22-23: 2024 Vancouver Sevens Invitational (Regional – UBC)
- Spring/Summer/Fall: Training Sessions (TBC)
- September 7: BC Elite 7s Series (UBC)
- September 14: BC Elite 7s Series (UVIC)
- September 21: BC Elite 7s Series (TWU)
- September 21-22: 2024 Kamloops 7s
- October 5: BC 7s Girls Training (UVIC)
- October 12-13: BC 7s Girls Training Camp (Invite only)
- October 26: BC 7s Girls Training (Invite only)
- November 9-11: BC 7s Girls Training (Invite Only)
- December 7-16: Global Youth Sevens (Auckland, New Zealand)
U17 Girls Regional (BC Summer Games – 8 Zones)
This year will be used to identify potential U18 athletes/training groups building towards the 2025 Canada Summer Games.
Key Dates:
- July 18-21: BC Summer Games (Maple Ridge)
SPONSOR A BC BEARS PROGRAM
Without your vital support, BC Bears Programs simply cannot happen.
Your support not only allows BC athletes to thrive on the pitch, but also to grow off it. Thanks to you, our BC Bears athletes get to put on the famous navy jersey and make memories – and friendships – that last a lifetime.
To inquire about sponsoring a BC Bears Age-Grade Program helping to offset the costs young athletes, please email BC Rugby CEO David Newson at ceo@bcrugby.com or BC Rugby Technical Director John Tait at jtait@bcrugby.com.
BC Rugby
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BC Rugby gratefully acknowledges that its offices reside on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
