BC RUGBY News

BC RUGBY ANNOUNCES FALL SEASON – REGISTER NOW!

Kamloops 7s and Club Leagues return to calendar this Fall 

BC Rugby is pleased to announce a Fall season for Member Clubs, with many programs already underway preparing players for a return to contact Rugby.

After 18 months without Rugby matches, we are delighted to welcome back feature events such as the Kamloops 7s alongside Club competitions to the calendar.

The Age-Grade Fall season will properly get underway at the Kamloops 7s over the Thanksgiving weekend and build to the Regional Championships, while Senior Club leagues will start October 16 and run for eight weeks ahead of a fully-competitive Spring season (touch wood!)

The later Fall start has been designed to follow World Rugby’s Return to Competition Guidelines, which outlines a 5-week training schedule to gradually build to full-contact matches. Clubs that get underway in August have a number of exhibition matches in the works.

Registration is open and over 1300 members have already signed up for the new season – here’s everything you need to know about the Registration process. 

An Age-Grade girls junior match

WHY YOU SHOULD REGISTER NOW

It’s important for players to get registered as soon as possible in order to start training.

With Club League games not starting until October 16, 2021, give yourself plenty of time to gradually build up to contact Rugby. Player welfare is the most important thing, especially after so much time away.

Exhibition games will only go ahead if training has taken place, following World Rugby Return to Competition Guidelines.

Not Sure About Playing Again? Why Not Coach or Referee Instead!

Ever thought about becoming a Rugby coach or official? Coaching and officiating are two of the most rewarding roles in our sport.

There are many benefits to becoming a qualified Rugby coach or official. It is a great way to stay in the sport and broaden your Rugby knowledge! You get the chance to develop yourself both personally and professionally. Coaching or officiating is a great way to stay fit and active, as well as give back to the sport and inspire the next generation of players!

Learn more about Coaching and Officiating or click below to view courses available in BC.

HOW THE 2021/22 SEASON SHAPES UP

The HSBC Canada Sevens Vancouver on September 18/19 will kick off what we hope will be an awesome 2021/22 season of Rugby in BC.  

Mini, Age-Grade, Senior and Masters Rugby for boys, girls, men and women will be welcomed back throughout the province as we aim to get our sport back on track following the global pandemic.  

Age-Grade Club Leagues will culminate in the season-ending Regional Championships this December.

While there will be no playoffs for Senior Rugby leagues this Fall, we anticipate a full Spring 2022 season starting next year.

MINI RUGBY

Many Clubs are offering programming for new and returning players aged 11 and younger. While U10 programs stick to non-contact Rugby, the older ages are safely introduced to some of the contact elements of the game. Most Clubs run programs with boys and girls playing together, while some offer girls-only.

AGE-GRADE CLUB LEAGUES

 We’re excited to see junior Rugby Club leagues back in BC! The tables below display the leagues on offer this Fall Season for Age-Grade Boys and Girls. 

AGE-GRADE GIRLS FALL SEASON LEAGUES
ISLANDMAINLAND
U19 – 10s to 15s
U16 – 10s to 15s
U14 – 7s to 10s
U19 Tier 1 – 10s to 15s
U19 Tier 2 – 10s to 12s
U16 Tier 1 – 10s tp 15s
U16 Tier 2 – 10s to 12s
U14s – 7s to 10s
AGE-GRADE BOYS FALL SEASON LEAGUES
ISLANDMAINLAND
U19 – 10s to 15s
U17 – 10s to 12s
U15 – 10s to 12s
U19 – 10s to15s
U17 – 10s to 15s
U15 – 10s to 15s

The Kamloops 7s returns on Thanksgiving Weekend in October, while the first games of the Age-Grade Club League season take place on October 17. Clubs will continue their season until the final Week 8 fixtures on December 4. Regional Championships then take place on December 11.  

Rules of Competition have been modified for the season to encourage Rugby to happen, while keeping it safe for all involved. You can see the updated Rules of Competition here.   

Age-Grade Club League Season Notable Dates 

 September 26: Local jamborees (7s or 10s based on above) 

October 2: Local jamborees (7s or 10s based on above) 

October 9/10: Kamloops 7s 

October 17: Week 1 Club vs. Club, regional only (12s or 15s based on the above) 

December 4: Week 8 Club vs. Club, regional only 

December 11: Regional Championships 

SENIOR CLUB LEAGUES

The below table shows the divisions of play on offer this Fall season. When required, teams will be encouraged to reduce from 15s to 12s, or 12s to 10s, to make Rugby happen and keep it safe for all involved.  

SENIOR WOMEN FALL SEASON LEAGUES
ISLANDMAINLAND
Division 1 – 15-a-sideDivision 1 – 15-a-side (two tiers)
Division 2 – 12-a-side
SENIOR MEN FALL SEASON LEAGUES
ISLANDMAINLAND
Division 1 – 15-a-side
Division 2 – 15-a-side
Division 1 – 15-a-side
Division 2 – 15-a-side (likely two tiers)
Division 3 – 15-a-side

The new Senior season is fast approaching! There will be no bye weekends or playoffs for Senior Teams during the 2021/22 Fall Season.

Senior Teams will contest a full Spring season in 2022.  

Senior Season Notable Dates 

September 12: Declaration Deadline (1 week earlier than previously advertised) 

September 24: Provide Fall schedule  

October 16: Week 1 of Club vs. Club regional competitions 

December 4: Week 8 of Club vs. Club regional competitions (no bye weekends, no playoffs) 

 Spring Season – Timeline 

October 31: Spring 2022 Declaration Deadline 

November 12: Spring 2022 Schedule Release 

January 22: earliest Spring matches scheduled 

MASTERS RUGBY

Several Masters programs throughout BC are back up and running, with matches to be scheduled soon.

Masters is a social form of contact Rugby for ages 35+, who maybe cannot train or play as hard as they used to! It is centred around the core values and traditions of contact Rugby, often pitting old friends and foes against each other.

Age-Grade Boys Match Action