Free rugby double-header set for Saturday in Langford
Rugby 15s Pacific Pride Men
Top talent from British Columbia and Vancouver Island, including Rugby Canada’s Pacific Pride Academy Program, will play on December 10 at Starlight Stadium in Langford in McKechnie Cup and Dunbar Keg competition, supported by Onni.
Top talent from British Columbia and Vancouver Island, including Rugby Canada’s Pacific Pride Academy Program, will play on December 10 at Starlight Stadium in Langford in McKechnie Cup and Dunbar Keg competition, supported by Onni. Admission to this Saturday rugby double-header is free, with gates opening at 3:00pm.
Returning for the first time since 2019, these regional competitions feature teams from British Columbia vying for the Senior Men’s McKechnie Cup and the U20 Men’s Dunbar Keg. The McKechnie Cup is one of the oldest contested rugby trophies in Canada, dating back to 1896.
Kick off for the U20 Men’s match between the North Vancouver Island Tsunami and the South Vancouver Island Tide will be at 4:00pm. This will be followed by a 6:00pm Senior Men’s match between the Pacific Pride and the South Vancouver Island Tide, marking the end of the 2022 fall season in BC.
Led by captain Cody Nhanala, the Pacific Pride roster includes standout players such as Kyle Steeves, Max Stewart, and Willem Denouden, along with players soon headed for the MLR such as Ciaran Breen, who signed with the Toronto Arrows in November.
Coaching the Pacific Pride is Phil Mack and coaching the South Vancouver Island Tide is Nanyak Dala, who played together for 10 years and represented Canada in both 15s and 7s, including a gold medal performance at the 2011 Pan American Games.
The Salvation Army will be at Starlight Stadium from 2:30-5:00pm as part of its annual Toy Drive, accepting toy and monetary donations.
More information on the McKechnie Cup and Dunbar Keg can be found on bcrugby.com.
Photo by Cailin Kelsey Photography