British Columbia Rugby Union
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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 | Vancouver | 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 |
| Seattle 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
- Rugby Canada
- Fraser Valley Rugby Union
- Vancouver Rugby Union
- Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League
References
- ^ Touchlines - The Magazine of the Rugby Memorabilia Society, Issue 43, April 2009
- ^ Debrett's House of Commons Volume: 1918, publisher: London Dean
- ^ The Sydney Morning Herald. - Feb 27, 1929