Thunder Rugby, an Indigenous Rugby Program based on Vancouver Island, has confirmed a New Zealand tour for their U18 Girls and Boys Teams for August 2023.
From Thunder Rugby
Thunder Rugby will be taking 28 players on the exciting new tour, who will get to experience rugby where it is an integral part of the culture. The trip is set for August 13th to August 28th and the BC Rugby Community is encouraged to follow along on social media to get updates and support their fundraising initiatives!
“A rugby tour embodies everything that is good about sport. You bond with team mates and make friends for life. You get to test yourself against great players and absorb their culture. It is a soul and life enriching experience.” – Bobby Ross, Songhees Nation, Thunder Rugby Board Member, and former Canada National Team player
NEW ZELAND TOUR TO FOLLOW SUCCESSFUL 2022 TOUR IN CALIFORNIA
In the Summer of 2022, Thunder Rugby embarked on a very successful tour to California, taking part in the LA 7s Invitational Tournament.
Covering 14 days, the tour included 39 players in two U18 boys teams, one U18 girls team and one U16 girls team. The teams played in two tournaments, competing in over 36 games of Rugby. Through the exciting Tournament play, one of the U18 Boys teams battled to successfully win a Plate, while the U18 Girls team secured the gold as the top team in their division.
With over 80 per cent of the team hailing from various First Nation backgrounds, the trip was as much about celebrating heritage as it was sport. Players on the tour came from across BC and Western Canada and included Indigenous representation from: Gitga’at First Nation, Kwakwaka’wakw, Haida, Nuu-Chah-Nulth, Gitxsan First Nation, Rolling River First Nation, Cree Metis, Sto Lo First Nation, Squamish First Nation, Sumas First Nation, Saanich First Nation, Inuvialuit, Cowichan First Nation, Lilwat First Nation, and Tl’etinqox First Nation.
The 2023 New Zealand tour will be the Program’s second International tour, as they hope to build off the thrilling experience in California.
“Going to New Zealand with our Thunder Rugby team is a dream come true. Confidence in who we are and where we come from is a key component of Thunder Rugby, and Aotearoa embodies cultural pride and rugby ethos. Our youth accepted the challenge of our 2022 California tour and came back the better for it, on and off the field, and made some lifelong friends doing so! We will continue to use the philosophy of Numwayut, or we are all one to guide us!” – John Lyall, Kwakwaka’wakw, Director of Thunder Rugby
SUPPORT THUNDER RUGBY – HOW YOU CAN HELP!
This tour would not be possible without help from the Rugby community.
To support the tour:
- Donate to the Thunder Rugby New Zealand Tour Fund through cheque or e-transfer to Thunder Rugby at jlyall@thunderrugby.ca.
- Get your logo on tour jerseys via donations starting at $500, and get a free jersey sent to you! Email jlyall@thunderrugby.ca with a logo and your jersey size.
- Donate to a Thunder athlete’s personal tour fund through cheque or e-transfer. If you have an athlete in mind, email jlyall@thunderrugby.ca.
- Donate to a Thunder raffle or auction on their Facebook page.
- Purchase Thunder Rugby merchandise on their Facebook page.
- Donate to Thunder Rugby’s Canadian Rugby Fund by clicking here.
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.
