The 2023 U19 Canadian Rugby Championships concluded on Sunday, August 6 as the Atlantic Rock were crowned U19 Men’s Champions and Rugby Quebec lifted the U19 Women’s Championship. 

Following an action-packed week of competition, the tournament’s final matches were played out in front of a healthy crowd at UBC’s Gerald McGavin Rugby Centre in Vancouver, BC, on Sunday afternoon.

Competing against U19 Men’s and Women’s Teams representing Alberta Wolfpack, Ontario Blues, Rugby Quebec, and the Atlantic Rock/Atlantic Selects, the BC Bears saw highs and lows while facing tough competition.

The BC Bears U19 Men’s Team started the Tournament strong with a 59-0 win over the Alberta Wolfpack and a 34-17 win against Rugby Quebec. Their second two matches proved to be a challenge, with the Bears falling 15-27 to the eventual Champions Atlantic Rock and coming up just short 27-31 in a nail-biting final match against the Ontario Blues, resulting in a bronze finish.

On the Women’s side, the Bears fought through four hard matches, starting with a narrow loss to the Alberta Wolfpack 29-33. After holding off Quebec in the first half of their second match, a few unlucky kicks allowed Quebec to gain momentum and defeat the Bears side 7-32. The Atlantic Selects and Ontario Blues brought their A-game in the Bears final two matches of the Tournament, defeating BC’s U19 Women 7-38 and 7-23 respectively to bring BC to a 5th-place finish.

Thank you to the generous contribution from the Canadian Rugby Foundation in helping make this event happen. You can donate to the Canadian Rugby Foundation Endowment Fund here.

BC Rugby would like to thank the Coaches, Officials, staff and volunteers who gave up their time throughout the week – this tournament could not have taken place without you.

2023 U19 Canadian Rugby Championship Final Standings: