Rugby Canada

Krissy Scurfield tears up after Canada won the fifth-place final against the U.S. during the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series tournament in Langford. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Late call-up from UVic makes big mark on women’s national rugby stage

Krissy Scurfield wasn’t in the original lineup for this HSBC Women’s Sevens Series stop

Krissy Scurfield tears up after Canada won the fifth-place final against the U.S. during the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series tournament in Langford. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Canada women’s sevens rugby head coach Jack Hanratty said the team is building cohesion and momentum during this recent block of training and games. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

National women’s rugby 7’s back on the Island ahead of weekend international tournament

Team back from qualifying for World Cup berth at Bahamas tournament

Canada women’s sevens rugby head coach Jack Hanratty said the team is building cohesion and momentum during this recent block of training and games. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Newly announced Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Bombrys, who takes on the job this summer, has held several executive positions with rugby organizations in the UK. (Courtesy of Rugby Canada)

Troubled Rugby Canada taps experienced Scottish league exec as new CEO

Nathan Bombrys joins organization this summer after years of management in the UK

Newly announced Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Bombrys, who takes on the job this summer, has held several executive positions with rugby organizations in the UK. (Courtesy of Rugby Canada)
Ireland’s Jack Kelly, centre, fights off Canada’s Anton Ngongo, left, and Elias Ergas, right, to score a try during HSBC Canada Sevens rugby action, in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, April 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian men’s rugby team sees progress with 10th-place finish in Vancouver

Canada moved past both Scotland and Wales in the overall Rugby Sevens points standings

Ireland’s Jack Kelly, centre, fights off Canada’s Anton Ngongo, left, and Elias Ergas, right, to score a try during HSBC Canada Sevens rugby action, in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, April 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
United States’ Martin Iosefo (12) vies for the ball against Canada’s Andrew Coe, right, and Josiah Morra, back, during HSBC Canada Sevens rugby action, in Vancouver, on September 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Young Canadian rugby team looks to find consistency at Canada Sevens tournament

“It’s been a rebuilding year,” said team captain Jake Theil

United States’ Martin Iosefo (12) vies for the ball against Canada’s Andrew Coe, right, and Josiah Morra, back, during HSBC Canada Sevens rugby action, in Vancouver, on September 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Kyle Baillie (centre) celebrates with teammates after a try against Chile during the second half of a Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification match at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., on Saturday, October 2, 2021. An independent review into Rugby Canada’s high-performance programs paints a damning picture of a dysfunctional organization at odds with its athletes, staff and supporters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Independent review paints damning, dysfunctional picture of Rugby Canada

‘Culture of Rugby Canada and the high-performance program is described as ‘empty’ or ‘non-existent”

Canada’s Kyle Baillie (centre) celebrates with teammates after a try against Chile during the second half of a Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification match at Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., on Saturday, October 2, 2021. An independent review into Rugby Canada’s high-performance programs paints a damning picture of a dysfunctional organization at odds with its athletes, staff and supporters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Team Canada’s Brittany Benn drives to the end zone in the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series 2019 stop in Langford. Team Canada went on to take 5th place in the tournament with a 31-7 victory over England. (Black Press Media file photo)

Women’s Rugby Sevens event returns to Vancouver Island after two-year hiatus

HSBC Canada Langford event begins April 30, tickets go went on sale Feb. 24

Team Canada’s Brittany Benn drives to the end zone in the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series 2019 stop in Langford. Team Canada went on to take 5th place in the tournament with a 31-7 victory over England. (Black Press Media file photo)
New Rugby Canada interim chief executive officer Jamie Levchuk says there’s a reason for optimism in the men’s and women’s national programs with the young players coming through. (Courtesy of Rugby Canada)

Rugby Canada hits the restart button with internal hire for interim CEO

Jamie Levchuk steps in as Canada’s rugby program resets after recent troubled times

New Rugby Canada interim chief executive officer Jamie Levchuk says there’s a reason for optimism in the men’s and women’s national programs with the young players coming through. (Courtesy of Rugby Canada)
Toronto Arrows and Canada scrum half Ross Braude spins a pass during Major League Rugby action in Georgia last season. The Arrows take on Los Angeles Giltinis on Feb. 11 at Starlight Stadium in Langford. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Toronto Arrows-Karl Moore)

B.C.’s first ever Major League Rugby Match coming to Vancouver Island

10 Canadian national teamers on Toronto; Arrows play reigning champ L.A. Feb. 11 in Langford

Toronto Arrows and Canada scrum half Ross Braude spins a pass during Major League Rugby action in Georgia last season. The Arrows take on Los Angeles Giltinis on Feb. 11 at Starlight Stadium in Langford. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Toronto Arrows-Karl Moore)
An overhauled Canadian women’s rugby sevens team with a new coach opens the World Series season tomorrow in Dubai. The Canadian Press photo

Canadian women’s rugby sevens team opens new World Series season in Dubai

Jack Hanratty has been tasked with steering the team through the end of the year

An overhauled Canadian women’s rugby sevens team with a new coach opens the World Series season tomorrow in Dubai. The Canadian Press photo
Canada’s Ghislaine Landry runs the ball during rugby sevens action against Spain at the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series at Westhills Stadium in Langford, B.C., Sunday, April 17, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Canadian rugby sevens captain Ghislaine Landry calls an end to stellar career

Canada rugby sevens captain Ghislaine Landry, the all-time leading scorer among women…

Canada’s Ghislaine Landry runs the ball during rugby sevens action against Spain at the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series at Westhills Stadium in Langford, B.C., Sunday, April 17, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
University of Victoria Vikes player Renee Gonzalez, left, here in action for Canada against the U.S. during HSBC Canada Sevens play in Vancouver in September, made her debut for national 15s side recently. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Island women’s rugby stalwart makes positive debut for Canada, eyes World Cup

Renee Gonzalez says atmosphere around the national program is positive

University of Victoria Vikes player Renee Gonzalez, left, here in action for Canada against the U.S. during HSBC Canada Sevens play in Vancouver in September, made her debut for national 15s side recently. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Veteran forward Laura Russell, shown in this undated hahdout photo, and the third-ranked Canadian women’s rugby team return to action for the first time in almost two years when they take on the sixth-ranked U.S., in Glendale, Colo., on Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Rugby Canada

Canadian women’s rugby 15s team returns to action after two-year layoff

Canada-U. S. matches are part of the Pacific Four Series, a new competition that launches in full next year

Veteran forward Laura Russell, shown in this undated hahdout photo, and the third-ranked Canadian women’s rugby team return to action for the first time in almost two years when they take on the sixth-ranked U.S., in Glendale, Colo., on Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Rugby Canada
Canada's Alysha Corrigan, front left, passes the ball as Britain's Megan Jones grabs her during a women's HSBC Canada Sevens rugby match in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

Vancouver, Langford both back on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series calendar in 2022

Men coming to Vancouver, as global series announces pair of 2022 events in Canada

Canada's Alysha Corrigan, front left, passes the ball as Britain's Megan Jones grabs her during a women's HSBC Canada Sevens rugby match in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
Canada’s Renee Gonzalez, left, is tackled by United States’ Sarah Levy during HSBC Canada Sevens women’s semifinal rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, September 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Rugby Canada provides details of its high-performance program review

Panel named and parameters given for review triggered by complaints from the women’s sevens team

Canada’s Renee Gonzalez, left, is tackled by United States’ Sarah Levy during HSBC Canada Sevens women’s semifinal rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, September 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Matt Percillier and Ciaran Breen, seen here after a game last summer as members of the national sevens academy, made their debuts with the senior national team at tournaments in Vancouver and Edmonton this month. (Liz McDougall photo)

Cowichan’s Breen and Percillier reflect on national team debuts

Mill Bay products have come a long way together

Matt Percillier and Ciaran Breen, seen here after a game last summer as members of the national sevens academy, made their debuts with the senior national team at tournaments in Vancouver and Edmonton this month. (Liz McDougall photo)
Canada’s Josiah Morra, second right, runs with the ball during HSBC Canada Sevens quarterfinal rugby action against Britain, in Vancouver, on Sunday, September 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian men fall to Britain in rugby sevens quarterfinal

The best the host men can finish in Vancouver is fifth

Canada’s Josiah Morra, second right, runs with the ball during HSBC Canada Sevens quarterfinal rugby action against Britain, in Vancouver, on Sunday, September 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada’s Ciaran Breen, front, is tackled by Germany’s John Dawe during HSBC Canada Sevens rugby action, in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canada 2nd in rugby sevens pool with 2-1 record, meets Great Britain in quarterfinal

Canada will face Great Britain in Sunday’s quarterfinal while the U.S. plays Kenya

Canada’s Ciaran Breen, front, is tackled by Germany’s John Dawe during HSBC Canada Sevens rugby action, in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Mill Bay’s Ciaran Breen (back row, second from right) and Matt Percillier (back row, fourth from right) join their teammates at the airport in Victoria before leaving for the Vancouver Sevens this weekend. (Liz McDougall photo)

Mill Bay boys join Canada for World Sevens stops

Matt Percillier and Ciaran Breen on board for stages in Vancouver and Edmonton

Mill Bay’s Ciaran Breen (back row, second from right) and Matt Percillier (back row, fourth from right) join their teammates at the airport in Victoria before leaving for the Vancouver Sevens this weekend. (Liz McDougall photo)
Canada’s Connor Braid (6) runs the ball against Fiji during World Rugby Sevens Series action in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, March 9, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms

B.C. rugby stalwart Connor Braid retires in wake of Tokyo Olympics

Sevens star also had 26 caps for the Canadian 15s team

Canada’s Connor Braid (6) runs the ball against Fiji during World Rugby Sevens Series action in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday, March 9, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms