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The Pacific Pride is officially back. On Wednesday a joint release from Rugby Canada and the BC Rugby Union confirmed that the senior academy program would again compete in the top division of BC rugby, the CDI Premier League, beginning in the 2019-2020 season.
Originally conceived as a u20 side under the Commonwealth Centre for Sport Development (CCSD), the team began under the auspices of former national team coach David Clark and subsequently John MacMillan. The CCSD became PacificSport and the Pride moniker was adopted, with the team competing as a club side from 1996 until 2005.
During that time more than 120 athletes went through the program with numerous going on to win senior international honors. Among the notable graduates were future Canada captains Kevin Tkachuk, Pat Dunkley, Jamie Cudmore, Mike Webb, Morgan Williams, and Kyle Nichols.
Previously an under-23 program, the new iteration will feature largely uncapped players from 18-24 who will be residents at the Al Charron National Training Centre in Langford for 10 months of the year. The program will be replace the current centralized program that had several players training on a daily basis but not playing regular matches as a group.
Coaching staff and the selection process are still to be confirmed. The initial agreement with the BCRU is only for the 2019-2020 season but an extension is expected to be negotiated before July 1.
The full release from Rugby Canada can be seen here.
