Hello, only my second post here, what a great site. Are any of you out there rugby players or fans? I know the sport is quite popular in places, especially in BC.
OK, are you telling me that there has been NOTHING worth posting in the SPORT forum in the last day and a half? Come on. Even if you don't know about rugby in Canada, please just reply and so so...
Rugby is popular in Canada, and it is growing rapidly. I play for a local club in Chilliwack BC. and I used to play in Calgary AB. I've played for about 8 years and the sport is growing a lot.
The Canada rugby team is doing well in the sevens and have made good progress in the bowl champ.s but so far as test rugby, i doubt they could beat a brisbane second fifteen let alone the pacific islanders . lol
We played in High School all the time...our PE Teacher was a huge fan....I broke my collar bone when I tried to take out my best friend! Shouldda known better...him 185-200 lbs....me 140-150 tops!
PS GO ALLBLACKS!
Rugby is played throughout Canada, BC has historically been the hotbed, with Newfoundland, Ont. And Alberta all haveing strong program's, in the early 1990's Canada rose as high a 5th or 6th in the world after finishing in the top 8 in the 91 world cup, then beating Wales in Cardiff and then beating France in Ontario (France was on there way too tour NZ and beat the all Blacks!) Led By Garth Rees and Al Sharon Canada was a growing force, however a very unlucky draw in the 1995 world cup saw Canada Get the pool of death with Austraila and South Africa(a narrow loss ended with a big brawl) and finish out of the top 8, this is about the time Rugby Union became a openly pro sport and Developing Rugby Nations such as Canada and Western Samoa, USA, Italy started too fall behind full pro countries such as NZ, Aus, SA england etc, Part of the proplem was Top PLayers going overseas and not staying Home. since this time Canada's has had limited success Internationaly with a Tie Againgt Ireland and A win Against a Young Scotland side.
Club Rugby Runs from Sept Too May in BC with about a 1 month Christmas time break with a strong Premier Div that would probably compare well too some of the Higher English County leagues maybe even lower national divisions, The rest of the Country runs from May too October with the level in Ontario, Alberta, and NFL being quite high as well, I do belive that the marinetime is only a small step behind, I've found that Alberta has a very well organized league structure, not too sure about the east though, many top PLayer play in BC during the winter as the eyes of Rugby Canada seem too be watching closer there,
There is Also the Rugby Canada Super league that has a Western and Eastern Divsions, Vancouver Island has won 4 out of 6 championships the the Fraser Valley(Vancouver suburbs) and Calgary Mavericks winning as well
No eastern team has ever won. that could change in the next few years with the closing of the Pacific Pride development program in Victoria this year which could keep away top prospects from BC
Hope this helps
Yours in Rugby
I played in BC for 9 years 2nd Row scrum and right side prop. Rugger was a lot of fun met alot of great guys over the years. from all over the world. Go Canada Go they beat the yanks 12-10 there yesterday.
I love rugby..i played in my high school and in 2 universities in Chile, U. de Concepcion and U. Del Desarrollo and i played once in sub 17 national team!! i saw some rugby fields here in calgary but unfortunaly just in summer you can play...anyways if someone are interested to play for fun...lest go
Rugby is a sport for the deranged...
I love Rugby, but i'm from BC