BC Rugby is delighted to announce the BC Bears U19 Men’s and Women’s XVs Squads that will compete at the 2026 Canadian Rugby U19 Championships at the University of Guelph, Ontario on July 20-26, 2026.
The BC Bears U19 XVs Squads will travel to the University of Guelph, Ontario, to compete for the 2026 Canadian U19 National Championship titles with both teams facing tough opposition from the Atlantic Rock, Alberta Wolfpack, Rugby Quebec and Rugby Ontario.
The BC Bears U19 Women, led once again by Head Coach Jake Thiel (UBC Thunderbirds) and Assistant Coach Scott Hunter (Abbotsford RFC), travel to Ontario as defending national champions. Prior to their 2025 Championship win, the BC Bears U19 Girls Program had not won a match at Nationals.
The BC Bears U19 Men Team are led by Head Coach Curry Hitchborn (Capilano RFC) and Assistant Coaches Didier Banse (UBC Thunderbirds) and Nate Mantle (Bayside Sharks RFC). The U19 Boys finished Runners-Up to Rugby Ontario twice over the past two years in Nova Scotia and Calgary and are aiming to go one better this time around.
Team Managers also attending are Ken McGovern (Men) and Kelly Hanvey (Women).
Squad selections were confirmed following the conclusion of the 2026 Provincial Regional Championships in Abbotsford, with both teams completing preparations in a pre-Tour Training Camp at Brit Lions RFC in Delta this past weekend.
“We’re very much looking forward to working with this group. Using the club, highschool and PRC tournament for selection, we were able to assemble a solid squad with a high competitive ceiling. It’s a solid blend of new faces and some returnees from last year that will help us perform to our very best over the course of the National Tournament,” said Curry Hitchborn, BC Bears U19 Men’s Head Coach
“We are looking forward to working with this talented group of athletes. This team is ready to get to work, hoping to build momentum as we head to Guelph. We have some strong returning players from last year as well as some exciting new talent,” said Jake Thiel, BC Bears U19 Women’s Head Coach.
Our teams will proudly wear playing and training kit manufactured by our partner, O’Neills. Founded in 1918, O’Neills is renowned for its commitment to quality and innovation across the globe.
All matches are listed below.
BC BEARS U19 MEN ROSTER & SCHEDULE
BC BEARS U19 MEN’S SQUAD
Benard Bjorndal – Abbotsford RFC
Ben Shepherd – UBCO Heat
Dallin Westerlund – TWU Spartans
Daniel Turvey – Kamloops Raiders RFC
Davis Heppell – TWU Spartans
Dexter Tornquist – Queen’s University
Elijah Palov – UBC Thunderbirds
Evan Carlson – TWU Spartans
Everett Pinkoski – Kelowna Crows RFC
Ewan Webber-Smith – UBC Thunderbirds
Finn Murphy – McGill University
Gavin Kelly – UVIC Vikes
Grady Watt – NIVRU
Greg Putterill – Pacific Pride
Holden Sawatzky – UBCOB Ravens
Jack MacAlister – Queen’s University
James Walker – Langley RFC
Kai Reynolds – Kelowna Crows RFC
Kayden Dunn – Bayside Sharks RFC
Luke Prest – Cowichan RFC
Massimo Ruben – Salish Sea Warriors
Matthew George – Queen’s University
Michael Oughtred – UVIC Vikes
Ryelly MacDonald – Abbotsford RFC
Samuel Blundell – Pacific Pride
Simroy John – Pacific Pride
COACHES: Curry Hitchborn (Capilano RFC), Didier Banse (UBC Thunderbirds), Nate Mantle (Bayside Sharks RFC)
MANAGER: Ken McGovern
BC BEARS U19 MEN CRCs MATCH SCHEDULE
July 21: BC Bears vs. Atlantic Rock – 11:30am PT/2:30pm ET
July 23: BC Bears vs. Alberta Wolfpack – 12:00pm PT/3:00pm ET
July 24: BC Bears vs. Rugby Quebec – 12:00pm PT/3:00pm ET
July 26: BC Bears vs. Rugby Ontario Blues – 8:30am PT/11:30am ET
BC BEARS U19 WOMEN ROSTER & SCHEDULE
BC BEARS U19 WOMEN’S SQUAD
Abi Stanley – Vancouver Thunderbirds/James Bay AA
Amber Vallance – Abbotsford RFC
Amelia Handysides – Cowichan RFC
Angelina Boswell – Vancouver Thunderbirds
Anna Plate – Vancouver Thunderbirds
Asia Olynk – James Bay AA
Belle Rousseau – Vancouver Thunderbirds/James Bay AA
Briar Tait – James Bay AA
Charlie Hutton – CV Rapids Rugby
Claudia Vallance – Abbotsford RFC
Ellie Brandwood – James Bay AA
Emilie Sinclair – Langley RFC
Gwenlili Jones – University of Bath
Hailey Carroll – James Bay AA
Maja Olcen – Vancouver Thunderbirds/James Bay AA
Makella Smortschevsky – Capilano RFC
Marin O’Regan – Castaway Wanderers RFC
Poppy-Anne Elcock – Vancouver Thunderbirds/United Rugby
Raffielle Barrack – Cowichan RFC
Rhaea Geddert – Abbotsford RFC
Sasha McKee – Westshore RFC
Savannah Pelletier – Vancouver Thunderbirds/Abbotsford RFC
Sophie Hayes – Castaway Wanderers RFC
Sophie Weeks – University of Ottawa
Tayla Kempf – Abbotsford RFC
COACHES: Jake Thiel (UBC Thunderbirds), Scott Hunter (Abbotsford RFC)
MANAGER: Kelly Hanvey
BC BEARS U19 WOMEN CRCs MATCH SCHEDULE
July 21: BC Bears vs. Atlantic Rock – 10:30am PT/1:30pm ET
July 23: BC Bears vs. Alberta Wolfpack – 10:30am PT/1:30pm ET
July 24: BC Bears vs. Rugby Quebec – 10:30am PT/1:30pm ET
July 26: BC Bears vs. Rugby Ontario Blues – 7:00am PT/10:00am ET
BC Rugby
A: 2015 Main Street, Vancouver, BC | V5T 0J8
T: 604.737.3065
E: info@bcrugby.com
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.
