The Pacific Four Series will serve as crucial preparation for Assmus and Zussman, as they build-up to Rugby World Cup 2021, which begins on October 8, 2022.

Assmus, who is BC Rugby’s Officials Development Manager, and Zussman, UVIC Vikes’ Associate Director for Sport Compliance and Student Support and Assistant Coach to the Vikes’ Women’s team, are part of the 18-strong team of Match Officials who will be tasked with overseeing the 12-team tournament from October 8 to November 12 in New Zealand.

Both have officiated at an international level and have been busy within the BC Rugby community, with Zussman most recently officiating the headliner 2022 BC Rugby Women’s Premier League final on May 7.

Are you interested in learning how to become a Rugby official?

It is a great way to stay involved in Rugby after playing and give something back to the sport. Officiating also helps with your own personal and professional development, and it helps broaden your Rugby knowledge. It keeps you both physically and mentally fit and is incredibly rewarding.

Rugby Officials come from all backgrounds, from ex-National players to armchair enthusiasts who wanted to become more involved with the sport. Anyone can become a Rugby referee with the right attitude. BC Rugby is here to support that process from start to finish!

Complete your Level 1 Introduction to Officiating Course in Williams Lake, BC, this June!

Date: Saturday June 11th, 2022

Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm PT

Location: Williams Lake Rustler’s Rugby Club – 711 Ottoman Drive, Williams Lake BC V2G 4V6

Cost: $100 + tax

Contested by New Zealand, Australia, Canada and USA, the Pacific Four Series is an annual, cross-regional competition which acts as one of the principle qualification routes for the top tier of Women’s XVs for 2023.

The competition will also provide the four teams with invaluable preparation for the pinnacle tournament in Women’s XVs rugby as the women’s edition of Rugby World Cup heads to the southern hemisphere for the first time this October.

Two Rugby World Cup venues – Waitakere Stadium and Northland Events Centre – in Auckland and Whangarei, respectively, will be used for the Pacific Four Series which will provide communities with a taste of the action and excitement they can expect to witness later this year.

Rugby World Cup 2021 will head to New Zealand from 8 October to 12 November, 2022 when 12 of the world’s top women’s 15s teams will go head to head. Fans can purchase team and venue ticketing packs now with general sale tickets being release on 30 June. Click here to find out more.