The U18 Boys and U18 Girls Elite Champions Shields at the Kamloops 7s have been renamed to celebrate two individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Rugby 7s in British Columbia and across Canada.
Beginning with the 2026 Kamloops 7s, the U18 Boys Elite Champions Shield will be known as the Nathan Hirayama Shield, honouring one of Canada’s most accomplished Rugby 7s athletes.
Hirayama, a longtime member of Canada’s Men’s Rugby Sevens program who represented BC throughout his youth, has represented his country at the highest level and played a significant role in the growth and profile of the sport in Canada. The renaming recognises his achievements and his lasting impact on Rugby 7s.
The U18 Girls Elite Champions Shield will become the Darcy Patterson Shield, recognising Patterson’s exceptional contribution to the development of Rugby 7s both in British Columbia and beyond.
Patterson was instrumental in creating the Kamloops 7s event and has continued to play a significant role in growing the tournament and the wider Rugby 7s community over the past decade. Her work has helped create opportunities for young athletes in BC and contributed to the continued growth of the sport both provincially and nationally.
The new shield names will be in place from the 2026 Kamloops 7s onwards, ensuring that the achievements of future champions are forever connected to two individuals who have helped shape the Rugby 7s landscape in BC and Canada.
The 2026 Kamloops 7s takes place September 19-20 at McArthur Island Park, with the tournament bringing together youth teams from across BC and beyond for the largest youth Rugby 7s tournament in Canada.
