BC Rugby is delighted to announce the return of the BC Bears Senior Men’s XVs Program, with the team set to compete at the 2023 Coast-to-Coast Cup Competition in Halifax this June.

The Province of British Columbia has a rich Rugby history and has been represented by Provincial Teams, now known as the BC Bears, for well over a century. Through the years, BC Rugby Senior Provincial Teams have toured, hosted, and played some of the world biggest and best Rugby teams including Australia, New Zealand, England, and the British & Irish Lions.

Now overseen by BC Rugby Technical Director John Tait, the BC Bears Senior Men’s XVs Program is embarking on a new era under the leadership of Head Coach Curry Hitchborn (UBC Thunderbirds) and Assistant Coaches Phil Mack (Pacific Pride), Jake Ilnicki (Williams Lake Rustlers) and Christian Esterhuizen (Meraloma RFC), with the aim of revitalizing and improving the pathway between Provincial Representative Rugby and the Canadian National Team, and enhancing the experience for all BC athletes.

Coaches will work closely with the BC Bears U19 Men’s Program and U19 Head Coach Graham Turner to identify and develop future talent for Senior programs, while focusing on identifying talent from all areas of the province to strengthen the relationship between regions.

The journey begins with preparation for the 2023 Coast-to-Coast Cup Competition in Halifax, taking place on June 14-22.

BC Bears Coaches will continue to scout Senior Club and Regional Competitions throughout the province, and keep a close eye across all leagues in the Lower Mainland, Island and Interior regions. Engaging with Club Programs throughout BC remains both a vital and valuable step in the identification process.

Athletes can also attend one of several planned Talent Identification and Development Sessions hosted across the province throughout April and May. Athletes are only required to attend one session, and all athletes must pre-register for the session they wish to attend by clicking on the button below.

More information on BC Bears Selection Policies can be found here.

“The BC Bears Senior Men’s Program is about giving BC’s ambitious young Rugby players a platform to perform, and to showcase the quality of our athletes and the Rugby that is played here in this province. The aim of the program is to build the BC Bears Senior Men’s team into attractive opposition for not only Canada’s own National Programs, but also for other nations and professional teams looking for a quality challenge. The Coast-to-Coast Cup is a starting point of bigger tours and games to come; we want BC Rugby to be seen as an attractive touring destination for professional teams, as well as touring with the Bears to top Rugby destinations and showing what BC players are capable of.” BC Rugby Technical Director John Tait

“The province-wide work gone into developing Programs where players can be identified has not gone unnoticed. We are not restricting identification to specific areas but rather casting a wide net that will capture what this province has produced across all leagues. We are not building a team for one quick tour: there is a plan in place to attract, develop and maintain identified players for a more fulsome program that will enable higher level games not just here in Canada but also abroad.” BC Rugby Senior Men’s Head Coach Curry Hitchborn