Calling all male and female Rugby participants aged 14-25 in BC – here is your chance to get FREE professional standardised testing completed as part of the RBC Training Ground Program!
The RBC Training Ground Program is about identifying new talent and aligning athletes with potential with sports targeting Olympic participation.
In 2023, RBC Training Ground is hosting events across the country and calling on any athlete aged 14-25 to come out and put themselves to the test.
There are three RBC Training Ground Qualifying Events scheduled to take place in BC on the following dates:
- Saturday, January 28 – University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna (UBCO Gymnasium – Okanagan Campus, 3211 Athletics Ct, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7)
- Saturday, February 11 – University of Victoria, Victoria (CARSA Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities – Gabriola Rd, Saanich, BC V8P 5C2)
- Sunday, April 16 – University of British Columbia, Vancouver (War Memorial Gym – 272-6081 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1)
You can sign up to attend a qualifying event below:
What is RBC Training Ground and why is it good for you?
Since 2016, RBC Training Ground has tested over 12,000 athletes from across Canada in search of the country’s future Olympians. Thirteen athletes that the program has helped find and fund have competed at the Olympic Games, and together they have brought home seven medals for Canada.
It is a fantastic way to get FREE professional, standardised testing completed (RBC TG can share testing results) and for athletes to network directly with National Sports Organizations (NSOs). It is free to sign up and is a quality sporting experience. This is a direct pathway to exposing athletes to National Program staff and supporting Talent ID initiatives.
What does the program look like for Rugby Players?
Participants aged 14-25 (female & male) need to sign up online to attend a qualifying event. There is also a virtual option where the athlete can submit testing results if they cannot attend an event.
After attending a regional qualifying event, the athlete’s testing results are reviewed by National Program Staff and some are further selected for “secondary sport specific follow up.”
This secondary review is often completed by attending either a Rugby Canada-led training opportunity or if they are totally new to Rugby, linking in with Provincial Sports Organisation (PSO) partners to get them out to a Rugby session(s) and sample some Rugby activities for further assessment.
After the secondary assessment is completed, our long list of athletes is further reviewed and targeted athletes are nominated to attend the RBC Training Ground National Final in the Fall.
From the final, Rugby Canada can nominate athletes for RBC Training Ground funding.
How does RUGBY benefit from RBC Training Ground funding?
Over the last eight seasons, RBC Training Ground has been successful in having 4-6 new athletes annually funded. The $7500 per athlete is managed by NSOs and directly supports the individuals training and development.
Through shared planning, our RBC Training Ground athletes have utilised this funding in a variety of personalised ways, some of which include:
- Fees for rugby tours- travel and entry fees (PSO, USports, Elite events)
- Support travel to train at provincial programs
- Support travel to train at national training centres
- Support expenses related to training in high-performance environments
- NextGen Camp & Tournament expenses (flights, accommodation, meals)
- Decentralised strength & conditioning support
- Equipment purchasing (cleats, weightlifting shoes)
- Specialised support (nutrition, mental performance)
- Medical & Rehabilitation expenses (treatment, braces, orthotics)
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.
