Sevens Rugby Player Pathway

With the recent inclusion of rugby sevens into the Olympics, BC Rugby has made the commitment to complimenting the current development pathway in place for fifteen-a-side rugby. Starting this summer, the Western Canada Summer Games will feature rugby sevens.

For both the girls and boys divisions, there will also be Rugby Sevens Provincial Regional Championships (PRCs), much like the fifteens programs used to select for the BC rep sides at national championships. 

Starting in 2012, the BC Summer Games will have all six zones competing in rugby sevens as well.

The answer is two-fold.  First, the support from donors for the boy’s program is directed to a specific program – the BCEY7s program.  This is a one-of-a-kind program that is privately funded.  Second, there will soon be a one-of-a-kind program that is funded by BC Rugby and is specific for girls 13 to 15 who have aspirations of making it to the Olympics in rugby and want to learn more about the sevens version of the game.

In addition to this initiative there will be an Under-16 Girls Sevens Provincial Regional Championship tournament held in April.  BC Rugby is partnering with the BC High School Girl’s Rugby Association to host this event.  Furthermore, every two years starting in 2012, the BC Summer Games will be exclusively sevens with the continuation of the Under-17 Women’s Division.

BC Rugby is making a concerted and well-organized effort to ensure the fifteens and sevens versions of the game compliment one another; and that offerings exist for both girls and boys from British Columbia who have aspirations for winning rugby gold at the Summer Olympic Games.  Stay tuned for the official releases on girls sevens coming soon.