home/Competitions/BC Rugby Tournaments & Events
BC Rugby runs several tournaments throughout the Province for Senior, Age-Grade and Mini Rugby Levels and players of all experience.
There are numerous Rugby tournaments and events that take place throughout the province all year round. Use the dropdown menus below to learn more about our tournaments!
BC Rugby and its Members gratefully acknowledge that we live, work, and play the sport of Rugby on the traditional and unceded territories of Indigenous Peoples across all regions of British Columbia.
BC RUGBY SEASONS – AN OVERVIEW
Senior Rugby
The Senior Club Rugby season traditionally starts in September and ends with the Club Finals in May.
Club Rugby is the lifeblood of Rugby in BC. With over 60 registered Clubs in the Province, there is usually lots of competitive XVs and 7s action taking place throughout the year.
Below outlines the structures of the various Divisions for the 2023-24 Fall/Spring Senior Competitions, including the Regional Play and purpose of each division. Division structure and formats have been developed based on feedback from Clubs to ensure alignment with BC Rugby’s Strategic Priorities and providing a product which is fit for purpose for all those involved in our game.
All games and game times will be published on Sportlomo and can be found in the BC Rugby App. Please refer to the Sportlomo or the BC Rugby app for the most up to date information.
2023/24 Regional Play
Following feedback from the 2022/23 Season and consultation with Clubs, BC Rugby introduced Regional play for all teams. This play includes division crossover designed to help Clubs build their programs. These games do not impact standings for the regular season.
The Regional Schedules also includes fixtures for the 2023 Dunbar Keg and the Coastal Cup. All games are published on Sportlomo and can be found in the BC Rugby App.
MEN’S SENIOR LEAGUES
Men’s Premier League presented by ONNI
The Men’s Premier League presented by ONNI features 10 Teams and is the Elite Men’s league competing under Premier League rules. These teams will play each team in the Division once. They will play those teams in their region (Lower Mainland or Vancouver Island) both at Home and Away. All games will count towards final standings for Play-Offs.
Men’s Premier Reserve League presented by ONNI
The Men’s Premier Reserve Division features 9 Teams and is one of the Elite Men’s league competing under Premier League rules. These teams will play each team in the Division once. They will play those teams in their region (Lower Mainland or Vancouver Island) both at Home and Away. All games will count towards final standings for Play-Offs.
Men’s Division 1
The Men’s Division 1 features 8 Teams and is a competitive league aimed at growing and developing established 15s teams. These teams will play each team in the Division both at Home and Away. These teams will compete under the Club Competition Rules. All games will count towards final standings for Play-Offs.
Men’s Division 2
The Men’s Division 2 features 7 Teams and is aimed at programs that consistently field more than 15 players supporting Clubs to develop their more established programs. These teams will play each team in the Division both at Home and Away. These teams will compete under the Club Competition Rules. All games will count towards final standings for Play-Offs.
Men’s Division 3
The Men’s Division 3 features 19 Teams aimed at supporting developing teams with new or growing programs with a lens on participation and developing programs throughout the province. Where possible teams have been paired with other teams at their Club to be able to reduce travel costs. These teams will compete under the Club Competition Rules. All games will count towards final standings for Play-Offs.
SENIOR WOMEN’S LEAGUES
Women’s Premier & Women’s Division 1 Combined Season
The Women’s Premier League and Women’s Division 1 will feature a combined 8-week season of 11 Teams during the Fall and start of Spring. With the intention of growing the Women’s Premier and Division 1 Leagues this structure has been established to provide variety in match play and opportunity to compete against other teams to grow their programs. Following the end of this crossover teams will be reseeded based on their final positions into Women’s Premier and Women’s Division 1. These teams will compete under the Club Competition Rules during this Combined Season.
Women’s Premier
The top 5 teams from the combined Women’s Premier & Women’s Division 1 crossover will move into the Women’s Premier Division and compete alongside the 2022/23 Champions UBC Thunderbirds Number 1 Team. Teams will play each team once in this division. A new schedule will be confirmed following the last round of crossover games. This division will compete under the Premier League Rules. All games will count towards final standings for Play-Offs and all Teams will progress through to the Play-Offs.
Women’s Division 1
The bottom 6 teams from the combined Women’s Premier & Women’s Division 1 crossover will move into the Women’s Division 1. Teams will play each team once in this division. A new schedule will be confirmed following the last round of crossover games. These teams will compete under the Club Competition Rules. All games will count towards final standings for Play-Offsand all Teams will progress through to the Play-Offs.
Women’s Division 2
The Women’s Division 2 features 15 Teams with the aim to support developing teams with new or growing programs, primarily focused on smaller format games with a lens on participation and developing programs throughout the province. Teams have been pooled based on location i.e. Lower Mainland/Interior or Vancouver Island, to reduce travel. Each Pool will play everyone in their Pool at least once, with crossover games between the pools. These teams will compete under the Club Competition Rules. All games will count towards final standings for Play-Offs.
Interior Club Rugby
The Interior Club Rugby season starts in April and ends with the Saratoga Cup in August/September.
The roots and traditions of Interior Club Rugby run deep in these communities. These regions play their Rugby during the summer months on account of the challenging winter weather they experience between Fall and Spring. This adapted schedule does nothing to diminish the passion, enthusiasm and commitment to playing Rugby. To play in these leagues, players can travel over 10 hours across the Province to play other teams. For example, the drive from Prince Rupert to William’s Lake is 952 kilometres!
There are three Regional Leagues: Interior, Okanagan and Kootenay.
The top teams from each league qualify for The Saratoga Cup, an annual tournament to decide the best team each season. The Saratoga Cup is held in the BC Interior and is a showcase for Rugby across the remote parts of the Province.
Age-Grade Rugby
The Age-Grade Club Rugby season starts in September with local jamborees and ends with the Club Finals in December.
Before playing a full Rugby XVs program, Age-Grade players start the season in 7s or 10s variation of the game to develop fundamental Rugby skills. Sevens is one of the fastest growing sports worldwide and the perfect place for all players to start their Rugby journey, regardless of previous experience.
From October to December, teams then expand to play XVs Rugby building towards the Junior Club Finals in December each year. XVs is the traditional format of the game but is still underpinned by the same fundamental skills learned from Rugby Sevens.
Boys’ Junior Leagues
Age-Grade Boys Club Rugby leagues take place regionally with schedules on Vancouver Island, Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. There are competitions for teams in U18, U16 and U14 Age-Grades, creating a solid player pathway for progressive Rugby development.
Girls’ Junior Leagues
Girls Club Rugby leagues take place in Fall each year and play both Rugby 7s and XVs variations of the sport. There are competitions for teams in U18, U16 and U14 Age-Grades, creating a solid player pathway for progressive Rugby development.
High School Rugby Season
The high school Rugby season starts in March and ends with the Provincial Championships in May.
High School Girls’ Rugby
The BC Girls’ High School Rugby Association (BCGHSRA) is responsible for the management and execution of both XVs and 7s Rugby for female High School teams in the Province. BC Rugby supports the BCGHSRA in the running of leagues and championship events.
High School Boys’ Rugby
The British Columbia Secondary Schools Rugby Union (BCSSRU) is responsible for the management and execution of High School Boys’ Rugby.
Mini Club Rugby
The Mini Club Rugby season starts in September and ends in May.
Mini Rugby is offered at many Clubs across the Province. In both Fall and Spring each year, several clubs offer TRY Rugby days. These are free events where Clubs open their doors to the wider community and encourage children to give Rugby a go.
Is Mini Rugby Safe?
Yes – when we are starting out with young children, we want to make it every bit as safe as it is fun. Mini Rugby is a safe, non-contact format of Rugby.
Rookie Rugby
New recruits to Mini Rugby play Rookie Rugby (also known as Flag or Touch Rugby). It is non-contact, fast, fun, inclusive and simple for any child to learn. All participants wear belts with flags attached by Velcro and try to evade the clutches of their opponents.
If a player holding the ball loses a flag, they must stop and pass the ball to a teammate. Games are overseen by coaches who help guide the players around the field, encouraging inclusivity and mass participation.
The emphasis is on enjoyment, getting children in contact with a Rugby ball, meeting new friends and working off all that excess energy. Rookie Rugby is played by all players at K to Grade 3, as well as newcomers in the Grade 4-6 groupings.
Introduction to Contact
As children become more familiar with the core concepts of the sport, coaches take the opportunity to safely introduce them to simplified rules of contact. This only happens at the Grade 4-6 groupings and is managed by coaches, emphasising proper technique on how to tackle and be tackled. This controlled environment is the safest way for children to learn the next evolution in the sport of Rugby, while still maintaining the core themes of inclusion, fun and exercise.
BC RUGBY CLUB LEAGUES FINALS
BC Rugby’s Lower Mainland Club leagues begin in September and conclude with Age-Grade Club Finals in December, and Senior Club Finals in the following Spring.
For our Northern and Interior Clubs, the season is contested during the summer months when the weather is good. The Northern/Interior Leagues conclude with the Saratoga Cup Final at the end of summer.
BC Rugby Senior Club Finals
The all-important BC Rugby Senior Club Finals are the climax of the Senior Rugby seasons in British Columbia. After a gruelling and competitive regular season and Play-Off schedule, two teams from each respective BC Rugby league face off for the honour of being crowned champions. Senior Club Finals usually take place in late April or May.
Senior Club Finals
Each of our divisions in both the Men’s and Women’s Leagues throughout the Province has a trophy and title that is awarded each year at the action-packed BC Rugby Club Finals – from Division 3 to our Premier Divisions.
This is a day stuffed to the brim with electrifying Rugby action as the top two teams from each divisional Play-Off battle it out one last time to determine which Club will be showered in glory.
For Club supporters, this is fever pitch, where nerves and emotions range. For those with no Club allegiance or anyone new to the sport, it is a fantastic day of sporting spectacle, watching the very best in Men’s and Women’s Club Rugby.
BC Rugby Age-Grade Club Finals
The all-important BC Rugby Age-Grade Finals are the climax of the Age-Grade Club Rugby seasons in British Columbia. After a gruelling and competitive regular season, two teams from each respective BC Rugby league face off for the honour of being crowned champions. Junior Club Finals take place at the end of their respective seasons in December.
Age-Grade Club Finals
The Age-Grade Club Finals are the jewel in the crown of our respective junior seasons, with the opportunity for teams to be named BC Rugby Age-Grade Club Champions.
Saratoga Cup
The Saratoga Cup is contested by teams from three regions: the Okanagan, the Kootenays, and the Interior. Contrary to the Island and Lower Mainland Rugby communities, these regions play their Rugby during the summer months on account of the challenging winter weather that they experience between Fall and Spring.
This adapted Rugby schedule does nothing to diminish the players’ passion and enthusiasm for the sport, with club roots and traditions running deep in these communities. To play in these leagues, players can travel 10 hours or more across to play other teams, which really shows their commitment and love for Rugby.
REGIONAL COMPETITIONS
Regional competitions see the best Age-Grade or Senior players suit up for their respective regions, competing against each other and showcasing their talents in the hope of being selected to our Provincial Representative Teams, the BC Bears.
BC Rugby Senior Regional Cups
The McKechnie Cup, Dunbar Keg and Ruth Hellerud-Brown Cups are three historic regional Rugby Cup competitions within British Columbia.
Teams from South Vancouver Island (Tide), North Vancouver Island (Tsunami), Vancouver (Wave) and Fraser Valley compete for both pride and coveted silverware in a round-robin format in Spring each year.
The competitions pit the top athletes from each region against one another in Senior Men, Senior Women and U20 Men groups.
Senior Men compete for the McKechnie Cup, one of the oldest contested trophies throughout British Columbia and Canada. Dating back to 1896, the trophy was donated by Nanaimo physician Dr. Robert McKechnie and was originally contested by clubs from Vancouver, Nanaimo and UBC.
Senior Women battle for the prestigious Ruth Hellerud-Brown Cup, named after the former Canada National Team captain, BC Representative and Rugby Canada Hall of Famer.
U20 Men’s Teams face off for the Dunbar Keg, one of the highest accolades in regional Rugby.
As well as the honour of lifting silverware, players will be hoping to impress to improve their chances of being selected to out Provincial Representative Team, the BC Bears.
Provincial Regional Championships
Provincial Regional Championships usually take place in June and July at the UBC’s Gerald McGavin Rugby Centre in Vancouver.
Regional rivalries reach their apex during this famous BC Rugby weekend as the best youth Rugby players in BC suit up for their respective regional teams.
The history of regional representative Rugby in British Columbia stretches back well over a century, with thrilling matches between Senior Men’s teams from the Mainland and the Island leaving a legacy. That tradition has been extended in recent years to include Age-Grade Boys’ and Girls’ teams, with Rugby players from all corners of the Province given a chance to represent their region and earn selection to Provincial teams.
The five regions that compete at the Championships are North Vancouver Island Tsunami, Vancouver Island Tide, Vancouver Wave, Thompson/Okanagan Rugby Alliance (TORA) and Fraser Valley. Championships are held for Boys and Girls at U14, U16 and U18 levels.
For emerging Rugby stars, this tournament presents a perfect opportunity to impress any watching BC Rugby Age-Grade XV Team Coaches and make a bid for Provincial Representative selection to the BC Bears.
BC Summer Games
The BC Summer Games are British Columbia’s biennial celebration of sport and community. Since 1978, the BC Games (Summer & Winter) have taken place in 38 communities and involved over 350,000 participants and volunteers and thousands more as spectators and supporters.
The purpose of the BC Games is “To provide an opportunity for the development of athletes, coaches, and officials in preparation for higher levels of competition in a multi-sport event which promotes interest and participation in sport and sporting activities, individual achievement and community development.”
The BC Games bring together British Columbia’s best emerging high-performance athletes, trained coaches, and certified officials for four days of competition. This experience is an important development opportunity and steppingstone towards higher level sports competitions.
Venue: Maple Ridge, BC
Dates: July 18-21, 2024
Learn more about the Games on our 2024 BC Summer Games Page here or visit the BC Summer Games Website
PROVINCIAL & NATIONAL COMPETITIONS
BC Bears Age-Grade and Senior Provincial Teams compete against other provinces during the summer months, in a number of tournaments and events held throughout the country.
Western Canada Championships
The Western Canada Championships (WCC) is an exciting event of Age-Grade Rugby that sees Boys’ and Girls’ U16 and U18 XVs Teams from British Columbia go head-to-head with teams from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
The purpose of the Western Canada Championships is to foster the growth of competitive Rugby and provide an important pathway step through best-on-best Age-Grade competition to develop athletes towards National Team honours.
The Championships aim is to provide an appropriate development stage of competition to motivate, challenge and inspire young players, as well as Coaches and Officials.
The WCCs usually coincide with the Best of the West Senior Men’s tournament in July.
The 2022 Western Canada Championships made a successful return in July 2022, as BC topped all standings across U16 and U18 Boys and Girls Age-Grades.
Canada Summer Games
Held every two years, alternating between winter and summer, the Canada Games are the country’s marquee event for amateur sport representing the highest level of national competition for thousands of up-and-coming Canadian athletes. As the best in their age group, these young competitors come to the Games having trained long and hard to be among those chosen to represent their respective province or territory.
In 2022, Rugby 7s made its inaugural appearance at the Canada Summer Games in Niagara. Team BC dominated the competition, bringing home the gold medal!
Men’s U19 Canadian Rugby Championships
The Men’s U19 Canadian Rugby Championship pits the best young provincial teams throughout the country against each other.
Provincial teams from across Canada gather to play a round-robin style tournament, with the winners being decided on points.
The Men’s U19 Canadian Rugby Championship returned in 2022 following a two-year hiatus due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The BC Bears were crowned champions in Ontario after the team enjoyed a perfect 4-0 week at the tournament, racking up impressive victories over Alberta, Atlantic Rock, Ontario Blues and Quebec to clinch the title.
Best of the West
The Best of the West is a two-legged competition between Provincial level Senior Rugby teams in the west of Canada.
Bingham Cup
The Mark Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament, or Bingham Cup as it is more widely known, is the biennial world championships of gay and inclusive rugby.
The tournament was first held in 2002 in memory of 9/11 gay rugby hero Mark Bingham, one of the passengers who fought back against hijackers on board United flight 93. While Mark and all on the flight tragically lost their lives when the plane crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, it is widely recognised that through the actions of those brave individuals on board, the plane did not continue to its intended target.
As a gay man and regular rugby player, Mark played for San Francisco Fog as well as helping to set up Gotham Knights in New York City. The Bingham Cup is held in honour of Mark’s memory and challenges stereotypes and perceptions of the LGBT+ community. Mark’s legacy sees rugby players, supporters and staff from around the world coming together every two years in a celebration of equality, inclusivity and sportsmanship.
The 2022 Bingham Cup will take place in Ottawa, Ontario. Vancouver-based gay and inclusive Rugby Club, the Vancouver Rogues, will be taking part in the tournament.
DATE: August 13-21, 2022
VENUE: Ottawa, ONT
WEBSITE: Bingham Cup
RUGBY SEVENS
Several Rugby 7s competitions take place throughout BC, including the HSBC Canada Sevens in Vancouver (men) and Langford (women).
HSBC Canada Sevens
The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series is one of the most dynamic global sporting events on the market. This exciting spectacle is a jewel in the BC sporting calendar.
Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium has hosted the HSBC Canada Sevens Vancouver for six years, while the HSBC Canada Women’s Sevens Series is held in Langford.
The competition sees Canada’s national Sevens Teams go head-to-head with the world’s best players on the global stage.
For more information and updates about these fantastic events, visit the Canada Sevens Website.
Vancouver Sevens Invitational
The Vancouver Sevens Invitational (VSI) is a two-day Rugby Sevens Tournament held at the University of British Columbia ahead of the HSBC SVNS Vancouver.
The purpose of the Vancouver Sevens Invitational (VSI) is to foster the growth of competitive Rugby throughout British Columbia while also serving to prepare athletes for Provincial Regional Championships (PRCs). The VSI aims to provide stage appropriate competition to motivate, challenge and inspire young players, as well as Coaches and Officials. The VSI will bring together elite youth sevens players from across the regions of British Columbia and expose them to World Class competition at Canada Sevens.
The 2024 Vancouver Sevens Invitational took place on February 22-23 at UBC’s Gerald McGavin Centre – all results and recaps for each division can be found here.
Kamloops 7s
Kamloops 7s is the biggest Sevens tournament in Western Canada. It has seen extraordinary popularity amongst Age-Grade teams across the Province. Specifically designed for Girls’ and Boys’ teams in the U14-U18 categories, the tournament delivers fun, action-packed games in a picturesque setting.
Taking place over two days and drawing in over 100 teams from Canada and beyond, the tournament is a fantastic celebration of emerging youth Rugby talent.
The Kamloops 7s takes place at McArthur Island Park on Kamloops’ North Shore. In previous years, the event was held across three separate venues, but the move to McArthur Park in 2018 helped to foster a more inclusive tournament for all players, as well as removing logistical challenges for Clubs, parents, players, and event organisers.
BC Rugby acknowledges that this land is in unceded Secwépemc territory, situated in the southern interior of British Columbia within the traditional lands of the Secwépemc Nation.
Summer Sevens Series
When summer is here, there is no better way to enjoy BC’s great weather than a Rugby 7s tournament!
The BC Rugby Summer Sevens Series are three events across the Interior, Lower Mainland and Island that give you and your team a chance to take your silky skills and footwork on the road. The Centre of Gravity Festival takes place in Kelowna, the Bayside Sevens is hosted in South Surrey and Langford Sevens is in Langford, BC. The SSS events take place in July and August.
The trio of events have numerous divisions including Elite Men’s, Men’s Social and Women’s Social leagues. Langford also held U19 Boys and U19 Girls divisions.
The competitions feature prize pools for each Senior Division.
Registration: Each team must be entered via the host’s website. Collated results across the Series will be tracked by BC Rugby to determine overall standings.
Venues: Kelowna (Centre of Gravity Festival). South Surrey (Bayside Sevens), Langford (Langford Sevens).
Dates: TBC
Other Information: Please plan accordingly for the weather and conditions. At this time of year, the weather can be very hot.
Mini Rugby
Mini Rugby events take place at BC Rugby Clubs and when the national teams visit for the HSBC Canada Sevens in the Spring.
BC Rugby Spring Mini Season
Mini Rugby is HERE for Spring 2024 in the Lower Mainland!
Happening at BC Rugby Clubs throughout the Province every Sunday, Mini Rugby is a safe, non-contact version of the sport.
This Spring, there are three Mini Rugby Leagues taking place – click on the below to view the schedules in your area:
FRASER VALLEY (Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley)
Clubs: Abbotsford RFC, Bayside Sharks, Brit Lions, Burnaby Lake, Chilliwack Crusaders, Langley Rugby, Ridge Meadows, Surrey Beavers, United RFC
Season: February 4th – May 26th 2024
Download the full Schedule here.
SEA TO SKY (North & South Vancouver and Squamish)
Clubs: Axemen RFC, Capilano RFC, Meraloma Rugby, Richmond RFC, Scribes RFC, UBC Rugby, UBCOB Ravens, Vancouver Rowing Club
Season: February 4th – April 21st 2024
Download the full Schedule here.
VANCOUVER ISLAND (North & South Vancouver Island)
Clubs: Campbell River, Castaway Wanderers, Cowichan RFC, James Bay AA, Rapids Rugby, Westshore RFC
Season: February 4th – April 28th 2024
HSBC Rookie Rugby Jamborees
Rookie Rugby introduces the game of Rugby in a safe way for kids of all ages. The game is a non-contact, Co-Ed form of Rugby using flag belts, allowing players to learn the basics while being active and having fun with their friends. No previous Rugby experience is required!
This is a great opportunity for children aged 5-12 to come and experience Rugby free of charge. There is also the chance to meet Canadian National Team stars and win fantastic prizes!
Equipment: No special clothing is required. We provide belts, balls and field space! There is no need for cleats, normal trainers are best on turf. As always, dress for the conditions – it never hurts to have a hat, gloves and jacket nearby!
Waiver: All children wanting to TRY rugby for the first at these events will need to have a waiver completed. Parents can complete a copy at the field or online here.
Visit the HSBC Rookie Rugby Jamborees webpage for more details about the venues and how you can get involved.
TRY Rugby
Mini Rugby is offered at many clubs across the Province. In both Fall and Spring each year, several Clubs also offer TRY Rugby days. These are free events where clubs open their doors to the wider community and encourage children to give Rugby a go.
TRY Rugby is a fantastic opportunity to experience the game of Rugby in a Safe, Welcoming & Fun atmosphere. A TRY Rugby Event is a non-contact Rugby event held as an introduction to the game for participants of any age. These events are typically flag Rugby introductory sessions or small jamborees for potential players who are new to the game and want to give it a go.
The emphasis is on fun, enjoyment, ball handling skills, socialising and exercise. It is a great way for young people to get a first taste of the wonderful sport of Rugby.
We Scrum as One Program
HSBC has a proud history of supporting communities and sport. The “We Scrum as One” initiative gives Indigenous youth athletes from across the Province an opportunity to come together at Vancouver’s Andy Livingston Park to participate a day-and-a-half of learning, inspiration and sport.
Put on by HSBC’s Indigenous Canadian Employee Resource Group, the program is a partnership with BC Rugby to identify Indigenous youth talent from across the Province.
Stay tuned for further information about future events.
Touch Rugby
Touch Rugby is a fun, safe, non-contact variation of Rugby that is easy for anyone to pick up and play.
Touch Rugby in BC
Using the same ball, but smaller teams and playing areas, the idea is to use teamwork, pace and cunning to outfox your opponents and score in a designated end zone.
The best thing about Touch Rugby – no previous experience is required and anyone can play! If you have never played Rugby before, Touch is a great way to get into the sport. It is a Co-Ed game where everyone gets involved.
Touch is exciting, super sociable and a great way to meet new friends – or see a different side of work colleagues!
Stay tuned for BC Rugby Touch League updates.
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.
