British Columbia Rugby Union

The British Columbia Rugby Union (BCRU) is the provincial administrative body for rugby union in British Columbia. The BCRU consists of nine sub-unions and 65 clubs. It was originally organized in New Westminster in 1889 where Alfred St. George Hamersley, the former England rugby union captain and recent immigrant to Vancouver, and member of Vancouver Football (Rugby) Club, became the first President.[1] The same man is credited with founding the Amateur Athletic Club of British Columbia.[2] and previously had introduced the game of rugby to the youth of South Canterbury, New Zealand.[3]

The current headquarters is on the west side of Vancouver.

British Columbia is considered a hotspot for rugby in Canada, as its mild weather allows the sport to be played year round.

The BCRU is responsible for organizing the Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League, the provincial men's club championship. It also oversees provincial representative teams which compete for national championships organised by Rugby Canada.

The BCRU also has a British Columbia Rugby Hall of Fame.

Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League

The Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League is the highest level of amateur rugby in British Columbia. Many current and former Canadian internationals have participated in the league as well as number of high level foreign born players. The champions of the league's playoff system is awarded the Rounsefell Cup.

Participating clubs 2014–15

At the end of the 2013–14 season, University of British Columbia were promoted to the Premiership and Meralomas were relegated to the BC League 1. Teams also run a reserve side which plays in the Ceilis Cup League.

Team Ground City/Area Founded BC Champions
Burnaby Lake Burnaby Lake Sports Complex Burnaby 1994 0
Capilano Klahanie Park North Shore 1969 9
Castaway Wanderers Windsor Park Oak Bay 1906 6
James Bay MacDonald Park Victoria 1886 24
UBC Thunderbirds Wolfson Field University of British Columbia 1906 4
Ravens Jericho Park Vancouver 1974 5
Rowers Brockton Oval Vancouver 1908 3
UVIC Vikes Wallace Field University of Victoria 1963 3

Province Wide First Division

The Province Wide First Division is split into two conferences, the Okanagan Spring Brewery League 1 and the Cowichan Cup League 1. The champions of the league's cross-over playoff system is promoted to the CDI Premier League.

Okanagan Springs Brewery League 2014–15

Team Ground City/Area Founded
Abbotsford CFV Exhibition Park Abbotsford 1972
Bayside South Surrey Athletic Park White Rock 1987
Langley Crush Crescent Langley 1969
Meralomas Connaught Park Kitsilano 1923
Richmond King George Park Richmond 1957
Saracens Magnuson Park Seattle 2014
Surrey Sullivan Heights Surrey 1972
United Hume Park Coquitlam 2005

Cowichan Cup League 2014–15

Team Ground City/Area Founded
Academy Velox Park Victoria 2012
Comox Kickers Cumberland Field Comox Valley 1889
Cowichan Piggies Herd Road Duncan 1962
Nanaino Hornets Pioneer Park Nanaimo 1888
Port Alberni Black Sheep Port Alberni Park Port Alberni Unknown
Velox Valhallians Velox Park Victoria 1968

Province Wide Third Division

The Province Wide Third Division is split into 4 conferences, the Mainland League/Island League, the Okanagan League, Kootenay League and the Interior League. The Mainland and Island leagues compete during the fall and winter while the Okanagan, Kootenay and Interior leagues compete during the spring and summer. The champions of the league's four conferences play for the Saratoga Cup each Fall.

Mainland League

Team Ground City/Area
Chilliwack Crusaders Yarrow Field Chilliwack
Kamloops Raiders Rayleigh Rugby Park Kamloops
Kelowna Crows Parkinson Centre Kelowna
Ridge Meadows Bruins Thomas Haney Field Maple Ridge
Ex-Britannia Lions John Oliver Park Delta
Kats Balaclava Park Vancouver
Simon Fraser University Terry Fox Field Burnaby
Scribes Trout Lake East Vancouver

See also

References

  1. ↑ Touchlines - The Magazine of the Rugby Memorabilia Society, Issue 43, April 2009
  2. ↑ Debrett's House of Commons Volume: 1918, publisher: London Dean
  3. ↑ The Sydney Morning Herald. - Feb 27, 1929

External links

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