President's Message

The 2010-11 season marks a time of continued growth for rugby in Abbotsford. The Abbotsford Rugby Club has been in the community of Abbotsford for 38 years (est. 1972), and has perhaps experienced the most successful period in its history over the last decade. Abbotsford won the first division BC championships five of the last nine years (2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010). We also took the 2nd division title in 2010 and the third division championship in 2004. The 2009-10 season was extremely successful in that the men's team finished an impressive 43-0 with their top two divisions and have moved into the premiership for the 2010-11 season. Further, we started an over-37 men's team in 2009, 'The Originals', who had a very successful inaugural 2009-10 season.

Our women’s team has also been developing in recent years, winning the 2nd division championship in 2006. The have moved into the 1st division where they finished 2nd in the province in 2008 and impressively won the BC Championship in 2010.

We have also experienced tremendous growth in our youth programs. Our U-15 and U-17 boys' teams and U-18 women's team all won the BC Championships in 2006. In the 2007 and 2008 seasons, our U-16 and U-17 boys teams also won the provincials. In 2009, we became the first BC club in history to win two U-19 championships as we secured Tier 1 and Tier 2 victories. In this positive time of achievement and development, we optimistically look forward to the new season. In particular, the 2010-11 season was perhaps the most successful in club history with 5 provincial championships. 

Within the Club, we have many different teams to provide playing opportunities for males and females of all ages and abilities. We are currently the 2nd largest club in British Columbia with 12 teams and a mini-rugby program. There are three men's sides, a women's team, a newly established over 37 men's team (The Originals), and youth teams for under 19 men (2), under 18 women, under 17 boys, under 16 boys, under 15 boys, under 14 boys and Mini- Rugby (ages 5-13). Our men's teams now play in the Spray league in the fall and the CDI Premier League in the Spring. The women play in the Lower Mainland first division league. The Abbotsford Rugby Club prides itself on playing hard, competitive rugby on the field, while enjoying the social aspects of the game off the field.

High school rugby is very popular and competitive in Abbotsford. There are currently six public senior high schools in town, five of which field senior sides that feed into the Abbotsford Rugby Club: Abbotsford Collegiate (formerly Abby Sr), Mouat, Rick Hansen, Robert Bateman and Yale. Abbotsford Senior has won the AAA B.C. High School Rugby Championships twice and finished in the top five numerous times. Robert Bateman won the AA B.C. Championships in 2000 and has had several top 5 finishes. Yale, Mouat and Hansen have also been to the provincials several times.

The Abbotsford Rugby Club has produced many international players. Players such as Mike Schmid, Ken Peace, Brian Mosychuk, Harry Toews, Ryan Banks, Rob Phillips, and John Cannon were all Abbotsford players at one point who went on to represent Canada. In recent years, Bryn Keys, Brodie Henderson, Ryan McWhinney, and Scott Hunter all earned the honor of playing 15's for Canada. Mike Schmid, Callum MacIntosh, Matt Kehler, Tony Rietsma, Brodie Henderson, and Bryn Keys all played for the Canada 7's team. Many Abbotsford players have also represented Canada at the youth levels. See our representative players page for more information on Abbotsford National players.

One of the great things about the game of rugby is that it is very popular internationally and the social aspect of the game is an accentuated component.  As a result, most years our Club participates in a player swap with teams in New Zealand, Wales, and England where we host some of their athletes for a season in exchange for them hosting some of our players. If you are interested in playing rugby for one of the many Abbotsford teams, don’t hesitate to contact us, regardless of where you are from. If you are just passing through, make sure you stop by the Clubhouse, which is open every Thursday night and Saturday after home games.  Thank you for visiting our site, and best wishes in all of your rugby pursuits.

Yours in Rugby,

Todd Di Guistini