VANCOUVER - On Friday morning over 400 age grade rugby players, including those from the Comox Valley, will kick off the 2012 BC Rugby Provincial Regional Championships at UBC's Wolfson Fields in Vancouver.
A total of 21 regional teams will take to the pitch during the three-day (July 6-8) tournament as players are introduced to representative rugby and look to put their hands up for selection to British Columbia's provincial teams. Those chosen to represent B.C. will travel to Quebec for the National Festival Championships, scheduled for Aug. 8-12.
The U18 Women's division has expanded to five teams this season with the addition of a Fraser Valley Development Team, a clear indication that women's rugby is on the rise in the region. Fraser Valley is returning to defend their championship, as are 2011 runners-up Vancouver, Thompson-Okanagan and Vancouver Island. The women's division will feature a championship final on Sunday at 12:10pm.
Defending U18 Men's champions Fraser Valley have split into three regions; Fraser Valley West, Fraser Valley East and Valley Central. The three teams will be joined by 2011 runners-up Vancouver Island South along with Vancouver, Vancouver Island North Tsunami, and the Cariboo. The U18 Men's division will feature a round-robin format this year with the winner determined by overall point totals on Sunday afternoon.
The tightly contested U16 Men’s division retains the same nine teams that competed in 2011 and will also feature a round-robin tournament format. Defending champions Vancouver Island South will again face tough competition from 2011 runners-up Vancouver North, consolation finalists Fraser Valley East and Fraser Valley West teams. Other regions competing include Vancouver West, Vancouver East, Vancouver Island North Tsunami, Thompson Okanagan and Fraser Valley Central.
Check www.bcrugby.com for scheduling updates. For scoring information on the PRCs follow BC Rugby on twitter at www.twitter.com/bcrugbyunion.
– BC Rugby