Second annual Coast to Coast Cup set to kick off in Halifax

The second annual Coast to Coast Cup kicks off in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Saturday June 17, 2023. This high performance development men’s rugby tournament features three teams and over 80 players from across the country.

“The Coast to Coast Cup is a valuable pathway competition for our men’s rugby program,” said Kingsley Jones, Head Coach of Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team. “Rugby Canada talent identification officers, including national men's 15s forwards coach Dave Butcher, will be in attendance as this is also an important avenue for player identification and continued integration between coaches from across Canada.”

The Atlantic Selects and Toronto Arrows Senior Academy return to the tournament following its inaugural edition in 2022, with the BC Bears Senior Men’s Team joining as they return to competition for the first time since the pandemic.

“Being able to host this tournament when we do and where we do provides the opportunities for ongoing coach collaboration, player to player collaboration via pre and post match functions, and the ability to connect with and be seen by potential future coaches and general managers at a level they normally are not exposed too,” said Curry Hitchborn, BC Bears Head Coach.

Three Pacific Pride players will represent the BC Bears: Matt Klimchuk, Reid Davis and Zephyr Melnyk. National team player and Pacific Pride support coach Jake Ilnicki joins Hitchborn on his coaching staff.

“We once again look forward to showcasing top Canadian talent, giving these players an opportunity to shine in front of pro scouts and national team coaches, others watching on the live stream, and putting on a great show for our fans in Halifax,” said Atlantic Selects GM Dr. John Gillis.

Several players who represented Canada earlier this month on Canada’s U20 Men’s Team will also compete. James Clarke and Brady White will play with the Atlantic Selects, with Jordan Auger named to the team’s extended squad. The Toronto Arrows Senior Academy has two U20 national team members on their roster: Grant Meadows and Evan Roy.

“Our squad is very much looking forward to the second version of the Coast to Coast cup, and the build-up has been excellent,” said Toronto Arrows Academy Director and Head Coach Cory Hector. “Through our previous matches, we’ve been able to see and evaluate a number of talented players and select from a wide playing group. We feel the group we have selected show great potential and all will be looking to compete against some of the very best from each side of the country.”

All games will be livestreamed on The Rugby Network.

SCHEDULE

June 17: Atlantic Selects vs BC Bears
6:15pm AT/5:15pm ET/2:15pm PT
Graves-Oakley Park

June 21: BC Bears vs Toronto Arrows Senior Academy
7:00pm AT/6:00pm ET/3:00pm PT
Wanderer Grounds

June 24: Atlantic Selects vs Toronto Arrows Senior Academy
7:00pm AT/6:00pm ET/3:00pm PT
Wanderer Grounds

TICKETS

Three game tournament passes can be purchased here.

Want to help grow rugby at the Coast to Coast Cup? Join the Send a Kid to the Cup Challenge to help send youth to all three games for free! Tickets are $15 plus HST, and can be purchased here (you will be required to select seats to complete the purchase, but the tickets will be distributed to children and youth on your behalf). This is a challenge between the three teams, so don’t forget to mark which team you support upon check out!

For more information, please contact Atlantic Selects Director of Operations Dylan Aleck at dylanaleck@gmail.com or Atlantic Selects GM Dr. John Gillis at drgillis@24care.ca.   

ROSTERS

View the Atlantic Selects roster here.

View the BC Bears roster here.

View the Toronto Arrows Senior Academy roster here.