Programs

BCSS Rugby Championships

This past weekend saw the top 48 boys’ and girls’ high school rugby XVs teams from the province merge on the fields at Abbotsford's Exhibition Park, where along with 32 rugby 7’s teams, they played in a festival-style tournament to determine the best teams in the province. One of Canada's largest high school sporting events, this tournament is the pinnacle of the rugby calendar, where teams vie for the coveted blue BCSS championship banner. This year marks a historic year for the event, with girls' rugby being included in this specific tournament for the first time. Shawnigan was represented by three teams, with the Iron Women, Boys' Colts and Boys' 1st XV all participating.
Shawnigan’s Boys' 1st XV entered the tournament as the top-ranked team in the AAA division. There was an air of excitement as they hit the pitch on the first day to play Kitsilano Secondary School, where they came out on top with a resounding score of 69 to 3. In their second match, against Langley’s RE Mountain Secondary, Shawnigan prevented their opponents from scoring, defeating them 76 to 0 which moved them on to the gold medal game. In their final match of the tournament, Shawnigan’s 1st XV faced longtime rivals St. George’s School – and, showing great heart, skill and determination, defeated them to win the gold medal with a final score of 31 to 13. 

Shawnigan’s Iron Women started the tournament off by playing against North Vancouver’s Argyle Secondary, coming away with a strong 56 to 6 win. In their second match, they played against Mark Isfeld Secondary, who had shown strong play against our girls all season. Isfeld continued their strong play and defeated our Iron Women 49 to 5, which sent Shawnigan to the bronze medal match. In their final game of the tournament, the girls played against Abbotsford Senior Secondary in a very tight match. Both teams played well and the game came down to the wire – ending with a heartbreaking loss for Shawnigan after Abbotsford scored the winning try in the final minute of play, leading to a final score of 26 to 24. 

Our junior boys’ Colts team played against North Vancouver’s Carson Graham Secondary in their first match, coming out with a dominant 41 to 12 win. They moved into their next game against Oak Bay High and earned another solid victory, with a final score of 36 to 0, advancing them to the gold medal match against St. George’s School. The teams played in a hard fought, back-and-forth game, with Shawnigan emerging victorious with a final score of 15 to 14 – making our Colts provincial champions alongside our 1st XV!

The weekend was filled with 64 rousing rugby games, and Shawnigan’s teams played their hearts out and stayed focused, with their hard work paying off with outstanding results. The strength of the rugby program at Shawnigan is evident with solid results like this. It wasn’t just the students who played hard, our very own Mr. Paul Doig was a referee for the tournament, and coach Tim Murdy received the BCSSRU Distinguished Coach Award! Congratulations to all of our players and coaches on these exceptional achievements. Go Stags, Go!
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We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.