Supporting Grass Roots Sports

Rugby continues to grow in BC, quite possibly ahead of other Canadian Provinces and that is in part due to the programs in place along with the high level of rugby the Province continues to attract on the world stage.

Now just a short step in front of a two game qualifier for the Junior World Rugby Trophy, Rugby Canada recently announced the final squad selections.  

In total there are 28 spots that are available and 14 have been filled by BC natives, which clearly demonstrates the strength, calibre and overall depth of the young rugby talent situated in the province.

June 13th and 17th is when Canada faces our neighbors to the south in two back to back matches in Edmonton.

The games will decide who will qualify for the Junior World Rugby Trophy, that are to be held in Uruguay in the later part of 2017..  

As a Nation Canada has much to play for as we (Canada) are looking to avenge the last minute defeat suffered in this fixture last year.  

The squad has some high expectation, having managed to reach the final of the competition in 2015, but losing to Georgia.  

The winner of the Junior World Rugby Trophy qualifies for the 2018 World Rugby U20 Championship.

Highlighting the quality of youth rugby in the province, it is noteworthy that three quarters of the players named in the squad play with clubs in BC.  

Officials at BC Rugby, the governing body for Rugby in British Columbia, have been working hard with the rugby community to support grassroots development throughout the province and are delighted to see such strong representation in a national age-grade squad.

Many of the players already have international age-grade experience, with Liam Doll, Elias Ergas, Aaron Hersant, Fraser Hurst, Liam Murray, Quinn Ngawati, Anton Ngongo, William McDougall-Percillier, Brennig Prevost and Jake Thiel all previously having represented the national side.

Head Coach, Jeff Williams (from Victoria) said “Overall, there is a lot of experience on this year’s team.”  Expanding further, he noted that “We have had great buy in and the boys have good rugby IQ so they have been extremely respective to new ideas and concepts. However, rugby is simple, we need to outwork the opposition and play with passion and intensity and keep the game simple.”