In support of the National Pathway to Canada’s Senior Men’s and Women’s XVs Programs, BC Rugby and its partners are extending an open invitation to all Canadian-qualified rugby players seeking to develop their game to train and compete in British Columbia’s Fall and Winter leagues.

BC’s mild winter climate means rugby can be played throughout the Fall and Winter months. This provides consistent, meaningful competition and development opportunities that are vital for aspiring Canadian internationals, and also aligns with the off-season in Canada’s other provinces.

BC’s Men’s and Women’s Premier League Clubs are prepared to welcome and support pathway athletes interested in coming west to train and play throughout these months.

BC Rugby encourages all out-of-province athletes to compete in their home regions & competitions: this offer of support is to supplement their development during their off-season which coincides with BC’s Fall and Winter Season.

With the recent reduction in Major League Rugby (MLR) teams and signals that fewer Canadian players will feature in those competitions, it is now more critical than ever for Canadian athletes to access high-level domestic competition.

“I made the move, along with many other future Canadian internationals, to the inaugural Pride program back in the 1996–97 season,” said John Tait, former Men’s and Women’s National Team Coach, Ontario native, and now Technical Director of BC Rugby. “I realized then that training on my own through the winter in Ontario wouldn’t get me where I wanted to be – an international and professional player. Even then, as a Tier Two nation ranked 12th in the world, our domestic competition couldn’t match those with professional leagues. A new approach was needed, and it worked. We developed a generation of well-prepared athletes who went on to represent Canada with distinction and earn professional contracts abroad, helping us compete with the top teams in the world.”

That same model of centralised, high-quality training and competition is needed again. Many senior athletes currently lack access to elite daily training and game environments; opportunities now available through only a handful of universities and the Pacific Pride program. To close the performance gap with professional nations, Canadian players need sustained, challenging competition throughout the year.

With the Pride serving as Rugby Canada’s only academy program, housing many of the top U20 and senior athletes on the national depth chart, those aspiring to represent Canada should be competing alongside and against these athletes.

BC Rugby and its Member Clubs are eager to partner with organizations and Clubs across Canada to:

• Arrange interprovincial tours and exchanges
• Host visiting Clubs and Teams
• Encourage ambitious players to come west and test themselves in BC’s top leagues

Players, coaches, and clubs interested in taking advantage of this opportunity to train and compete in BC are encouraged to contact jtait@bcrugby.com or reach out directly to one of BC Rugby’s Member Clubs for more information.