bc-rugby

Terrace, Rogues Crowned Saratoga Cup Champions

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:38:14 GMT

EPIC WEEKEND IN FERNIE, BC

Terrace Northmen RFC regained the Men’s Saratoga Cup while the Rocky Mountain Rogues celebrated its maiden Women’s Saratoga Cup Championship after an incredible weekend of action in Fernie.

The 2026 Saratoga Cup will go down as one of the biggest and most memorable editions of the annual BC Rugby Provincial Championships for our Northern and Interior Leagues.

Hosted by the Elk Valley Bulls in Fernie on August 8-9, the tournament brought together some of the best Senior Men’s and Women’s teams from across the Central Interior, Okanagan and Kootenays for a weekend of incredible action albeit in smoky conditions.

In the Men’s XVs Championship, the Terrace Northmen RFC recaptured the Saratoga Cup, defeating host club Elk Valley Bulls 14-5 in the championship final to claim a historic fifth title.

The Northmen’s run to victory was particularly impressive given the intensity of the weekend. For the first time in Saratoga Cup history, both Men’s XVs Semi-Finals went into extra time, producing two hard-fought contests and setting the stage for a dramatic final day. Terrace defeated Rocky Mountain Rogues 38-28 while the Elk Valley Bulls defeated the defending champions Vernon Jackals 38-24.

Terrace ultimately emerged as the last team standing, while the Elk Valley Bulls capped off an outstanding weekend on home soil. The Rocky Mountain Rogues finished third, with a 34-5 win over Vernon.

The Women’s Saratoga Cup competition produced perhaps the weekend’s biggest breakthrough. After finishing as Saratoga Cup runners-up in 2023, 2024 and 2025, the Rocky Mountain Rogues finally broke through to claim their first-ever championship.

The Rogues defeated defending champions Yeti Rugby 15-12 in a fantastic final, turning the tables on the team that denied them the title in 2025. After three consecutive runner-up finishes, the long-awaited championship was a fitting reward for a program that had consistently been among the competition’s best.

The Women’s 7s tournament also showcased the continued growth and reach of the Saratoga Cup. Trail RFC made its second appearance at the event, building on its 2025 debut, while the Nelson Valhalla Valkyries made their Saratoga Cup debut in Fernie.

Valhalla made an immediate impact, winning one match in its first appearance at the tournament – an encouraging sign for the growth of women’s rugby in the Kootenays.

Elk Valley/Penticton – the “BullPen” - rounded out the women’s field, finishing fifth overall after combining forces for the tournament.

For Elk Valley, the weekend was about more than the result. Hosting the Saratoga Cup brought the province’s top regional teams to Fernie and gave the local rugby community an opportunity to showcase the club, the town and the sport in the Elk Valley.

With dramatic extra-time semi-finals, new champions, returning contenders and a first-time participant making an immediate impact, the 2026 Saratoga Cup delivered a fitting celebration of summer rugby in British Columbia.

BC Rugby would like to thank the Elk Valley Bulls for hosting this year’s event, alongside the team of volunteers, Officials, medical therapists that made it happen.

All photos are courtesy of Vince Mo and BC Rugby. A full breakdown of results are below.

2026 saratoga cup results

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9

MEN’S XVs RESULTS

Saratoga Cup Final: Terrace Northmen RFC 14-5 Elk Valley Bulls

3 ^rd -Place Play-Off: Rocky Mountain Rogues 34-5 Vernon Jackals

WOMEN’S 7s RESULTS

Women’s Saratoga Cup Final: Rocky Mountain Rogues 15-12 Yeti Rugby

3 ^rd Place Play-Off: Trail RFC 17-5 Valhalla Valkyries

Semi-Final: Rocky Mountain Rogues 19-0 Trail RFC

Semi-Final: Yeti Rugby 36-0 Valhalla Valkyries

Quarter-Final: Valhalla Valkyries 15-5 Elk Valley Bulls

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8

MEN’S XVs RESULTS

Semi-Final: Rocky Mountain Rogues 28-38 Terrace Northmen

Semi-Final: Elk Valley RFC 38-24 Vernon Jackals RFC

WOMEN’S 7s RESULTS

Yeti Rugby 33-0 Valhalla Valkyries

Elk Valley RFC 17-19 Trail RFC

Valhalla Valkyries 7-27 Rocky Mountain Rogues

Trail RFC 0-54 Yeti Rugby

Elk Valley RFC 15-26 Rocky Mountain Rogues

Yeti Rugby 43-0 Elk Valley RFC

Rocky Mountain Rogues 10-17 Trail RFC

Valhalla Valkyries 15-5 Elk Valley RFC

Rocky Mountain Rogues 5-31 Yeti Rugby

Trail RFC 17-10 Valhalla Valkyries

2026 Saratoga Cup: All You Need to Know!

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 23:11:11 GMT

Big weekend coming up in Fernie.

The 2026 BC Rugby Saratoga Cup takes place this August 8-9 weekend – here is everything you need to know about the event!

This year’s tournament, hosted in Fernie, features two full days of action that will see Men’s and Women’s Champions crowned in our annual summer season finale.

A staple of the BC Rugby calendar, the Saratoga Cup brings together the top Senior Men’s and Women’s teams from across the Central Interior, Okanagan and Kootenays regions for an exciting weekend of Championship Rugby in a festival-style setting. With the stunning Kootenays and Rocky Mountains as this year’s backdrop, it is sure to be an incredible weekend of rugby.

Matches will take place at the Max Turyk Community Centre (897 Mt Washburn St, Fernie, BC, V0B 1M3) on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9. The Men’s XVs competition features semi-finals and finals, with the Women’s 7s competition being played over a round robin/seeded-play-off format.

Four teams will contest the Men’s Saratoga Cup while six teams will battle it out for the Women’s Saratoga Cup. Both events will be livestreamed on the BC Rugby YouTube channel.

See below for the full breakdown including schedule, livestreams and more.

The 2026 Saratoga Cup will be livestreamed by BC Rugby and available to watch on our YouTube channel – click below for the Playlist.

event details

schedule & livestream

Venue: Max Turyk Community Centre (897 Mt Washburn St, Fernie, BC, V0B 1M3)

Venue Map: Please see the above venue map.

Dates: August 8-9, 2026

Parking: Parking is available at the venue.

Merchandise: BC Rugby will be selling Saratoga Cup & BC Rugby Merchandise at the event.

Men's Saratoga Cup Line-Up

Vernon Jackals RFC (Okanagan Division Winners/Defending Champions)
Terrace Northmen RFC (Central Interior Division Winners)
Rocky Mountain Rogues (Kootenays Division Winners)
Elk Valley RFC (Kootenays Division Runners-Up/Hosts)

In the Men’s XVs Competition, hosts Elk Valley RFC will be joined by Kootenay Division winners and close rivals Rocky Mountain Rogues, who will be hoping to reassert their dominance in a competition they won three times from 2021-2023. Defending champions Vernon Jackals RFC, who defeated Yeti Rugby in the Okanagan Final, will be out to make it successive Championships and start their own dynasty. Terrace Northmen RFC completes the line-up as Central Interior Division winners and will be looking to add another Saratoga Cup victory to match their Men’s/Women’s double in 2024.

Women's Saratoga Cup Line-Up

Elk Valley RFC/Penticton Harlequins
Rocky Mountain Rogues
Trail RFC
Yeti Rugby
Valhalla Valkyries

The 2026 Women’s Saratoga Cup Women’s 7s Saratoga Cup competition will see five teams compete for glory in Fernie. Hosts Elk Valley RFC will join forces with the Penticton Harlequins. Rocky Mountain Rogues will be aiming for its first Championship while defending champions Yeti Rugby are aiming for a second successive title. Trail RFC is attending its second straight Saratoga Cup, and the line-up is completed by newcomers, Valhalla Valkyries, of Nelson. The format is a five-team round robin on Day 1 to determine Play-Off seedings. The top three teams will get a bye to Sunday's semi-finals, with 4th vs. 5th place teams to face off in a quarter-final.

The 2026 Saratoga Cup Schedule is as follows:

DAY 1 (ALL TIMES MDT)

10:00am – Women’s RR1 - Yeti Rugby vs. Valhalla Valkyries

10:20am – Women’s RR2 – Elk Valley/Penticton vs. Trail RFC

10:40am – BREAK

11:00am – Women's RR3 - Valhalla Valkyries vs. Rocky Mountain Rogues

11:20am – Women’s RR4 – Trail RFC vs. Yeti Rugby

11:40am - BREAK

12:00pm – Women’s RR5 – Elk Valley/Penticton vs. Rocky Mountain Rogues

12:30pm – Men’s Semi-Final 1 – Rocky Mountain Rogues vs. Terrace RFC

1:50pm - Women's RR6 - Yeti Rugby vs. Elk Valley/Penticton

2:10pm – Women’s RR7 – Rocky Mountain Rogues vs. Trail RFC

2:30pm – BREAK

2:50pm – Women’s RR8 – Valhalla Valkyries vs. Elk Valley/Penticton

3:10pm - Women's RR9 - Rocky Mountain Rogues vs. Yeti Rugby

3:30pm - Women's RR10 - Trail RFC vs. Valhalla Valkyries

3:55pm – Men’s Semi-Final 2 – Vernon Jackals RFC vs. Elk Valley RFC

DAY 2 (ALL TIMES MDT)

11:00am – Women’s Quarter-Final - 4th Place vs. 5th Place

11:20am – Women’s Semi-Final 1 – 2nd Place vs. 3rd Place

11:40am – BREAK

12:10pm – Women's Semi-Final 2 - 1st Place vs. Winner 4th/5th

12:35pm – Men’s 3 ^rd -Place Match

2:00pm - Women's 3rd-Place Match

2:20pm – Women’s Saratoga Cup Final

2:40pm - Women's Presentations

3:00pm – Men’s Saratoga Cup Final

4:15pm - Men's Presentations

introducing the match officials!

The 2026 Saratoga Cup Officiating Team is as follows:

Chris Assmus – Referee

Ben Lambrick – Referee

Ryan Lambrick – Referee

Phil Webster – Referee

Joel van Meer – Referee

Cam Mercer – Referee

Joyce Kendon – Referee

Darren Cho – Assistant Referee/Tech Zone Manager

Min Merritt – Assistant Referee/Tech Zone Manager

John Merritt - Assistant Referee/Tech Zone Manager

Georgia Webster – Tech Zone Manager

Remembering Joan Porter

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 23:29:26 GMT

BC Rugby is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of BC Rugby Hall of Famer Joan Porter, whose lifelong dedication, passion and support helped shape rugby in British Columbia for more than six decades.

Inducted into the BC Rugby Hall of Fame in 2019 alongside her beloved husband, Jim, Joan was a tireless champion of rugby and one of our community’s greatest ambassadors. Introduced to rugby together while attending Magee Secondary School in 1952, Joan and Jim became inseparable figures in BC's rugby community, with each making an extraordinary contribution to the game in their own way.

Joan was the driving force behind the BC Rugby Supporters Club, working tirelessly to build a vibrant rugby community by welcoming former players, supporters and newcomers alike. A familiar face on the sidelines across the Lower Mainland, she was a passionate advocate for women's rugby, a devoted supporter of the Vancouver Rowing Club, and a gracious host to many touring clubs and international teams visiting British Columbia through the years.

Together, Joan and Jim embodied the very best of rugby's values. They fostered friendships, strengthened communities and promoted BC and Canadian rugby both here and abroad. Their combined legacy has been recognised through numerous honours, including the Joan Spray Award, the Jack Pattison Award, the BC Presidents Award, and Lifetime and Honorary Memberships across several rugby organisations.

Joan's warmth and generosity to the rugby family left a lasting impact on generations of players, volunteers and supporters. Her legacy will continue to inspire all who knew her and all who benefit from the thriving rugby community she helped build.

An avid Club Rugby fan and attendee of BC Rugby events, Joan will be sorely missed on the sidelines at the Rowing Club, Meraloma Club and, more recently, the UBCOB Ravens, where she would hold court with her infectious sense of humour and cutting wit.

Everyone at BC Rugby extends our sincere condolences to the Porter family, their many friends, and all those whose lives Joan touched.

She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

2026 BC Summer Games Recap

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:09:02 GMT

Fraser River Rules in Kelowna.

Fraser River (Zone 4) clinched a maiden Rugby 7s gold medal as the 2026 BC Summer Games wrapped up following an epic weekend of action in Kelowna, with Vancouver Island (Zone 6) earning silver and Fraser Valley (Zone 3) taking home bronze.

The U17 Girls Rugby 7s Competition saw eight Zones compete for medals across a three-day event on July 24-26 at Kelowna’s Rutland Recreation Park. Close to 100 athletes were selected, alongside 24 coaches and 11 Match Officials.

The 2026 Games also marked the return of Zone 7 (North West) and, for the first time in BC Summer Games Rugby 7s history, included athletes from Haida Gwaii.

Final Placings for the 2026 BC Summer Games Rugby 7s:

1 ^st Place – Fraser River (Zone 4)

2 ^nd Place – Vancouver Island Central Coastal (Zone 6)

3rd Place – Fraser Valley (Zone 3)

4th Place – Thompson-Okanagan (Zone 2)

5 ^th Place – Vancouver Coastal (Zone 5)

6 ^th Place – Cariboo-North East (Zone 8)

7 ^th Place – Kootenays (Zone 1)

8 ^th Place – North West (Zone 7)

The competition format saw Zones split into two Pools, with each team playing three round robin matches to determine pool placings. The top two of each Pool advanced to the gold medal semi-finals, with the bottom two entering the fifth-place semi-finals. Winners then progressed to the Gold/Silver game in the top pool and 5th/6th game in the lower pool. Losing teams played off for bronze/4th game in top pool and 7th/8th in lower pool.

Full results can be found below.

All photos courtesy of Rick MacDonald .

Gold Medal Match

Fraser River 22-5 Vancouver Island Central Coast

Bronze Medal Match

Fraser Valley 22-17 Thompson-Okanagan

Semi-Finals

Fraser Valley 10-20 Fraser River

Vancouver Island Central Coast 22-5 Thompson-Okanagan

5 ^th -Place Final

Vancouver 27-12

7 ^th -Place Final

North West 5-19 Kootenays

Semi-Finals

Vancouver 45-0 North West

Cariboo-North East 36-0 Kootenays

POOL A

Final Pool Placings:

Fraser Valley
Thompson-Okanagan
Cariboo-North East
Vancouver

Results:

Vancouver Coastal 0-31 Fraser Valley

Thompson-Okanagan 29-19 Cariboo-North East

Vancouver Coastal 21-22 Thompson-Okanagan

Cariboo-North East 17-31 Fraser Valley

Cariboo-North East 19-15 Vancouver Coastal

Fraser Valley 27-7 Thompson-Okanagan

POOL B

Final Pool Placings

Vancouver Island Central Coast
Fraser River
North West
Kootenays

Results:

Kootenays 0-48 Fraser River

Vancouver Island Central Coast 51-0 North West

Fraser River 44-0 North West

Kootenays 5-42 Vancouver Island Central Coast

Kootenays 10-31 North West

Vancouver Island Central Coast 27-17 Fraser River

BC Bears U19 & U17 XVs Return From Ontario

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:31:55 GMT

BC Bears U17 & U19 XVs return home after tour.

The BC Bears U19 and U17 XVs Teams returned home from Ontario as the 2026 Canadian U19 Rugby Championships and 2026 O’Neills Challenge Cup concluded.

At the 2026 CRCs in Guelph, the BC Bears had to settle for silver in both the U19 Men’s and U19 Women’s competition. After amassing three victories each against Atlantic, Alberta and Quebec throughout the week, Sunday’s Final fixture against the Ontario once again acted as the Championship decider for both programs.

The Bears U19 Women came agonisingly close to making it back-to-back CRCs Championships under Head Coach, Jake Thiel, and Assistant Coach Scott Hunter. The Bears defended valiantly but two tries in the final two minutes from Ontario sealed a 17-7 victory for the hosts. Prior to 2025, the Bears U19 Women’s Program had not won a game at the Canadian U19 Championships; the program has now won one Championship and one silver medal in the past two years.

The BC Bears U19 Men battled hard but ultimately succumbed 44-12 to a strong Rugby Ontario Blues team, inspired by a fantastic performance from their captain and No. 10, Jack Gore. For the Bears U19 men, it marked a third-successive silver medal showing at the national championships.

The BC Bears U17 Boys and Girls Programs contested the 2026 O’Neills Challenge Cup alongside their U19 counterparts at the University of Guelph. The shares were spoiled as the Bears and Ontario Blues celebrated one Series victory apiece.

The BC Bears U17 Girls lifted the O’Neills Challenge Cup for the second successive year after achieving a 2-1 Series win in their three matches against the Blues. The BC Bears U17 Boys battled the Blues all the way, winning Game 2 to force the decider, but were denied a second successive Cup win in an intense final game.

Full results and match videos are below.

All photos courtesy of Matthew Martin and Oscar Warburton.

BC Rugby would like to thank all our sponsors and partners for their continued support of Rugby in BC: Pomerleau, Malahat Skywalk, O’Neills, CTMS Travel Group, Hub, GFL, Purdey Group, The Limona Group, Holiday Inn Express, Coastland Wood Industries, Keycorp, Wales McLelland Construction, JBW Commercial, NAC, Pacific Plumbing, Heading & Refrigeration, Chandos and Copcan.

BC BEARS U19 MEN CRCs RESULTS

July 22: BC Bears 59-12 Atlantic Rock

July 23: BC Bears 55-3 Alberta Wolfpack

July 24: BC Bears 57-17. Rugby Quebec

July 26: BC Bears 12-44 Rugby Ontario Blues

BC BEARS U19 WOMEN CRCs RESULTS

July 21: BC Bears 12-0 Atlantic Rock

July 23: BC Bears 51-0 Alberta Wolfpack

July 24: BC Bears 63-5 Rugby Quebec

July 26: BC Bears 7-17 Rugby Ontario Blues

All match videos for the 2026 CRCs can be viewed here .

BC BEARS U19 MEN’S SQUAD

Benard Bjorndal – Abbotsford RFC

Ben Shepherd – UBCO Heat

Dallin Westerlund – TWU Spartans

Daniel Turvey – Kamloops Raiders RFC

Davis Heppell – TWU Spartans

Dexter Tornquist – Queen’s University

Elijah Palov – UBC Thunderbirds

Evan Carlson – TWU Spartans

Everett Pinkoski – Kelowna Crows RFC

Ewan Webber-Smith – UBC Thunderbirds

Finn Murphy – McGill University

Gavin Kelly – UVIC Vikes

Grady Watt – NIVRU

Greg Putterill – Pacific Pride

Holden Sawatzky – UBCOB Ravens

Jack MacAlister – Queen’s University

James Walker – Langley RFC

Kai Reynolds – Kelowna Crows RFC

Kayden Dunn – Bayside Sharks RFC

Luke Prest – Cowichan RFC

Massimo Ruben – Salish Sea Warriors

Matthew George – Queen’s University

Michael Oughtred – UVIC Vikes

Ryelly MacDonald – Abbotsford RFC

Samuel Blundell – Pacific Pride

Simroy John – Pacific Pride

COACHES: Curry Hitchborn (Capilano RFC), Didier Banse (UBC Thunderbirds), Nate Mantle (Bayside Sharks RFC)

MANAGER: Ken McGovern

BC BEARS U19 WOMEN’S SQUAD

Abi Stanley – Vancouver Thunderbirds/James Bay AA

Amber Vallance – Abbotsford RFC

Amelia Handysides – Cowichan RFC

Angelina Boswell – Vancouver Thunderbirds

Anna Plate – Vancouver Thunderbirds

Asia Olynk – James Bay AA

Belle Rousseau – Vancouver Thunderbirds/James Bay AA

Briar Tait – James Bay AA

Charlie Hutton – CV Rapids Rugby

Claudia Vallance – Abbotsford RFC

Ellie Brandwood – James Bay AA

Emilie Sinclair – Langley RFC

Gwenlili Jones – University of Bath

Hailey Carroll – James Bay AA

Maja Olcen – Vancouver Thunderbirds/James Bay AA

Makella Smortschevsky – Capilano RFC

Marin O’Regan – Castaway Wanderers RFC

Poppy-Anne Elcock – Vancouver Thunderbirds/United Rugby

Raffielle Barrack – Cowichan RFC

Rhaea Geddert – Abbotsford RFC

Sasha McKee – Westshore RFC

Savannah Pelletier – Vancouver Thunderbirds/Abbotsford RFC

Sophie Hayes – Castaway Wanderers RFC

Sophie Weeks – University of Ottawa

Tayla Kempf – Abbotsford RFC

COACHES: Jake Thiel (UBC Thunderbirds), Scott Hunter (Abbotsford RFC)

MANAGER: Kelly Hanvey

BC BEARS U19 XVs at the 2026 CRCs

BC BEARS U17 BOYS 2026 O’NEILLS CHALLENGE CUP

July 20: BC Bears 21-37 Ontario Blues

July 22: BC Bears 26-14 Ontario Blues

July 25: BC Bears 12-27 Ontario Blues

BC BEARS U17 GIRLS 2026 O’NEILLS CHALLENGE CUP

July 20: BC Bears 26-19 Ontario Blues

July 22: BC Bears 24-21 Ontario Blues

July 25: BC Bears 20-24 Ontario Blues

All 2026 O'Neills Challenge Cup Match Vides can be viewed here .

BC BEARS U17 BOYS SQUAD

Austin Andrews – UBCOB Ravens

Beau Morgan – Meraloma RFC

Cameron Jones – Abbotsford RFC

Daniel Sawyer – Capilano RFC

Daniel Watkins – Abbotsford RFC

Dom Tapparo – Abbotsford RFC

Drayden Dhinjal – UBCOB Ravens

Evann Postma – Abbotsford RFC

Gage Kempton – Bayside Sharks RFC

Gavin MacDonald – Cowichan RFC

Hamid El Yousef – Abbotsford RFC

Kingston Smith – Burnaby Lake RFC

Landis Fulton – Salish Sea Warriors

Mason Balzer – Abbotsford RFC

Mattias Suleman – UBCOB Ravens

Michael Miller – UBCOB Ravens

Oliver du Toit – Capilano RFC

Quinlan Bjorndal – Abbotsford RFC

Ryley Storey – Abbotsford RFC

Santiago La Salvia – Castaway Wanderers

Spencer Black – Capilano RFC

Theo Schaddelee – Castaway Wanderers

Theo Young – Collingwood School

Tryton Haddad – Capilano RFC

Tuma Houston – Salish Sea Warriors

COACHES: Jamie McKenzie (TORA), Noah Pryce-Baff (Kats RFC), Patryk Zuk (Capilano RFC)

MANAGER: Ken McGovern

BC BEARS U17 GIRLS SQUAD

Alyvia Draney – Abbotsford RFC

Brooklyn Cybuliak – Abbotsford RFC

Chantelle Lambert – CV Rapids Rugby

Charlotte Agnew – CV Rapids Rugby

Chloe Baxendale – James Bay AA

Chloe Whittaker – James Bay AA

Claire Warsaba – Capilano RFC

Eliza Handysides – Salish Sea Warriors

Eli Guhl – CV Rapids Rugby

Elliott Martin – Westshore RFC

Emma Narraway – Salish Sea Warriors

Evelyn Anne Wilke – Salish Sea Warriors

Florence Elcock – United Rugby

Grace Martin – James Bay AA

Jayde Howard – CV Rapids Rugby

Laesa Tinworth – Abbotsford RFC

Lily Baxendale – Cowichan RFC

Louie McKenzie – CV Rapids Rugby

Penelope McKee – Langley RFC

Poet McRae-King – CV Rapids Rugby

Stella Ference – Salish Sea Warriors

Sydney Henderson – Abbotsford RFC

Sylvanah Belsham – Abbotsford RFC

Wendy Huynh – Abbotsford RFC

COACHES: Dean Murten (UBC Thunderbirds), Maria Gallo (UBC Thunderbirds), Julia Sugawara (TWU Spartans)