About the Festival
BC Rugby will host the 2018 Vancouver Rugby Festival to complement the HSBC Canada Sevens Vancouver Tournament. Taking place on March 8th & 9th, the Festival is the ideal stage for elite teams preparing for a packed summer of top level Rugby Sevens. In addition, it is a great platform for youth development squads to gain meaningful competition alongside some of the world’s best teams.
Headlining the Festival, the new NextGen divisions are specifically designed for U23/college age players. This is a vital stepping stone for athletes as they move beyond the Age-Grade game and target a successful transition into the senior game. The U18 and U16 divisions continue this trend, providing a platform for the very best in Age-Grade Rugby Sevens to prove themselves and learn from the best.
So please join us in Vancouver for an incredible week of Rugby!
Divisions
NextGen Men’s & Women’s
Since our open division has been so popular with university teams, we have decided to make this all about the next generation. While there is no age restriction in this division, we recommend players to be born 1999 or before, creating a platform between the Age-Grade and Elite divisions where developing young adult players can thrive. We’re calling on college, university and development squads looking to battle it out and prove that they are the aspiring stars for tomorrow. Who will be the NextGen champions this year?
U18 & U16 Girls’ & Boys’
The Vancouver Rugby Festival is about teams with ambition, and this division is no different. Not only will your youth players find a high level of competition on the field, but they will have a unique chance to observe and learn from some of the top athletes in the sport. Give your players something to aim for and let’s inspire them to become the very best Rugby Sevens stars. For U18 players must be born 2000 or earlier and for U16 players must be born 2002 or earlier. This is in alignment with the BC Rugby Age-Grade Eligibility rules for the 2017/18 season
Over 40s XVs
Coming to Vancouver to watch the HSBC Canada Sevens? Earn your weekend’s refreshments by getting involved with our Over 40s division on Friday, March 9th, held at Connaught Park. It’s time to don your cleats and engage in a great day of sport and socialising as Vancouver builds up to an electrifying weekend of Rugby.
2018 Dates & Divisions
Thursday, March 8 – Friday, March 9, 2018
- NextGen Men’s Sevens
- NextGen Women’s Sevens
- U18 Boys’ Sevens
- U16 Boys’ Sevens
- U16 Girls’ Sevens
Friday, March 9, 2018 Only
- U18 Girls’ Sevens
- Over 40s XVs (at Connaught Park)
More than a Tournament
The proximity of the Vancouver Rugby Festival to the HSBC Canada Sevens Tournament means this is more than just a couple of days of competition. Once again, players and staff taking part in the VRF will have exclusive access to reduced rate tickets for both Saturday and Sunday’s action at BC Place. This gives teams access to a perfect combo of playing and watching some of the best examples of Rugby Sevens anywhere in the world.
For the Elite teams, there is also the tantalising incentive of playing in front of an international crowd of thousands on Saturday, March 10th, with the final matches of this division held at BC Place during the HSBC Canada Sevens event. Does your team have what it takes to perform on the big stage?
FAQs
Q. When will registrations close for the 2018 Vancouver Rugby Festival?
A. Registrations will close on January 31st, 2018. Spaces are limited, so make sure your team signs up ASAP.
Q. Will I be able to purchase discounted tickets for the 2018 HSBC Canada Sevens Vancouver Tournament by entering a Team in the 2018 Vancouver Rugby Festival?
A. Yes! BC Rugby will be offering exclusive discounted Tournament Passes to Teams entered into the 2018 Vancouver Rugby Festival. Availability is limited as these passes are offered on a first come, first serve basis.
Q. What divisions will be included in the 2018 Vancouver Rugby Festival?
A. The Festival will include Sevens Rugby divisions for NextGen Men & Women, U18 Boys & Girls, U16 Boys & Girls. We will also include Over 40 Men division playing XVs.
Q. What venue would I be playing at?
A. The Elite, NextGen and Age-Grade teams will be competing at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver. The Over 40s teams will be competing at Connaught Park in Vancouver.
Q. Who do I contact if I have more questions?
For information on accommodation and coming to Vancouver, or further information on registering your team, please email events@bcrugby.com.
Q. How can I volunteer for the Festival?
Events like this don’t just happen by magic, they require a lot of work from volunteers behind the scenes. You don;t need to be able to commit to both days, even just a few hours could make all the difference.
If you would like to volunteer your assistance to this year’s Vancouver Rugby Festival, please email events@bcrugby.com.
Q. I’m a qualified Referee, how do I get involved?
With so many divisions in action at the same time, we are always on the lookout for qualified match officials to get involved. To register your interest in refereeing at this year’s Vancouver Rugby Festival, please email Chris Assmus
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