BC Rugby is delighted to confirm the 2025 BC Bears Coaches that will lead our U17 and U19 Provincial Representative Programs throughout the year.
With 2025 set to be another busy year for our Provincial Representative XVs Teams, we are delighted to appoint the following BC Bears Coaches that will lead the identification, selection and preparation of U17 and U19 athletes to represent the BC Bears this summer. Programs run at various times from February-September.
Coaches will utilize Club, School and Regional Programming as well as key BC Rugby events like the 2025 VSI 7s and the new-look 2025 Provincial Regional Leagues and Provincial Regional Championships to identify talent for potential selection to the BC Bears teams, in accordance with the BC Bears Age-Grade Selection Policy.
Coaches who will lead the U15 Boys and Girls “Build a Bear” Top 40 Camps at Shawnigan Lake School on on July 27-August 1, 2025 will be announced once confirmed by BC Rugby.
2025 BC BEARS COACHES
U17 BOYS AND GIRLS
U17 Boys:
Head Coach: Leana Marton (TORA)
Assistant Coaches: Rob Hayes (Langley Rugby Club/FVRU), Jacob Corbett (Meraloma/VRU)
U17 Girls:
Head Coach: Will Ballard (James Bay AA/VIRU Tide)
Assistant Coaches: William Daniel (Castaway Wanderers/VIRU Tide), Adryon Hutton (Langley Rugby Club/FVRU)
U17 Programming
- Top 30 Camp – Boys and Girls (August 3-7, Shawnigan Lake School)
- Tour to Ontario (August 24-31, Ontario)
The Top 30 athletes will be identified through Club, School and the Provincial Regional Series, through to the Provincial Regional Championships weekend on July 5-6, 2025. The Top 30 Boys and Girls will then be invited to a selection camp on August 3-7, 2025, where the athletes will be further developed in a matches against Rugby Alberta and assessed towards final selection for the BC Bears U17 Squads travelling to Ontario to compete in a three-game Series against based at Brampton Rugby Club on August 24-31, 2025. The opening two games will be against two of Ontario’s strongest regions before finishing with a match against the Rugby Ontario’s U17 Provincial Programs.
“The new PRL/PRCs format should allow us to see athletes over multiple occasions, alongside Club and High-School games. This year’s campaign is especially vigorous and competitive with games against Alberta and Whitgift (UK) at our top 30 selection camp. Then to compete against the Brampton and Team Ontario sides, we certainly will have a big rugby summer ahead of us! The fun will not stop there as we see athletes continue to develop and train with regional ViaSport facilities to hone their off-field strength and conditioning. I look forward to assisting these athletes to empower them to take their rugby to the next level in all aspects of the game!” BC Bears U17 Boys Head Coach Leana Marton
“With the recent success of Canada’s Senior Women’s National Program, I am very excited to work with tomorrow’s athletes. I love seeing the strength of our youth and am excited to help them develop the skills and attitudes they need to compete at the highest level.” BC Bears U17 Girls Head Coach Will Ballard
U15 BOYS AND GIRLS
Coaches who will lead the U15 Boys and Girls Top 40 Build a Bear Camps will be posted once confirmed by BC Rugby.
U15 Programming
- Top 40 Camp – Boys and Girls (July 27 – August 1, Shawnigan Lake School)
The Top 40 male and female athletes will be identified from Club, school and Spring development competitions and invited to the Top 40 prospects ‘Build A Bear’ Camp at Shawnigan Lake School on July 27-August 1, 2025. This Camp will be to develop positional and individual skillsets as well as game understanding for XVs Rugby. Introducing functional movements required for skill execution, set-piece, catch-pass, and kicking progressions to potential future Bears pathway athletes. Coaches should have an in-depth understanding of delivering to this age band the fundamentals of Rugby to set them up for future success. The Camp will also introduce basic nutrition for performance, introduction to Olympic lifting and training speed.
U19 MEN AND WOMEN
U19 Men:
Head Coach: Curry Hitchborn (VRU)
Assistant Coaches: Tom Larisch (Capilano RFC), Logan Martin-Feek (VIRU Tide)
U19 Women:
Head Coach: Jake Thiel (UBC Thunderbirds)
Assistant Coaches: Jordan McLeod (UBC Thunderbirds), Jenna Elidoros (Yeti Rugby/TORA)
U19 Programming
- 2025 Canadian U19 Rugby Championships (July 19-27, Calgary)
The Top 26 athletes for the U19 Men and U19 Women’s teams will be selected following the Provincial Regional Competitions, with final selections following the Provincial Regional Championships on July 5-6. Teams will then fly to Calgary to compete at the 2025 Canadian Rugby Championships (CRCs) on July 19-27.
“I am looking forward to watching this team take shape through the highly important regional competitions. Logan and I’s goal is to support the regions as this new pathway takes shape and select the best of the best. It is imperative we use these upcoming regional pathways to create much needed consistency and visibility for all the athletes.” BC Bears U19 Men’s Head Coach Curry Hitchborn
“I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to lead the BC U19 Women’s team this summer. There is a tremendous amount of talent across our Club, high school and university systems and I’m looking forward to selecting a team that will compete at the national level. The PRL/PRC format provides a great opportunity for our coaches to assess athletes in a high-pressure environment while also maximizing the number of athletes who get a chance to compete.” BC Bears U19 Women’s Head Coach Jake Thiel
DONATE TO BC BEARS SUBSIDY PROGRAM – SUPPORT BC ATHLETES!
The BC Bears Player Subsidy Program provides financial support to players in need who are selected to represent BC Bears Age-Grade teams, in the form of discounts applied against team fees.
Since its launch in 2017, BC Rugby has provided over $170,000 of support through the BC Bears Player Subsidy Program to help ease the financial cost of playing representative Rugby.
In 2024 alone, $50,000 of financial support was given across 45% of the athletes selected to BC Bears Age-Grade teams.
Make a difference – DONATE to the BC Bears Player Subsidy Program and ensure no athlete misses out on representing BC due to financial barriers!
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 to young athletes, please email ceo@bcrugby.com.
You can learn more about our Sponsorship Opportunities here.
BC Rugby
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