The Vancouver Highlanders are a semi-professional rugby union team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[1]
| Full name | Vancouver Highlanders |
|---|---|
| Union | Rugby Canada |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Location | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Region | British Columbia |
| Ground(s) | Burnaby Lake Rugby Club |
| CEO | Curry Hitchborn |
| Director of Rugby | Randall Barton |
| Coach(es) | Tom Larisch |
| Captain(s) | Josh Thiel |
| Top scorer | Takoda McMullin (39) |
| Most tries | Melani Nanai (4) |
| League(s) | Rugby Players Challenge Summer Series |
| 2024 | n/a |
| Official website | |
| vancouverhighlanders | |
History
editFounded by Curry Hitchborn and Ralph McRae in 2023, with their first game coming in June 2024 a double header against the Barbados national side and a Canada Select 'XV'. Ralph McRae is the financial backing of the club.[2] Players who sign on will be guided to play for local clubs during the regular British Columbia season, as the Highlanders will play in the traditional rugby off season not playing in a conventional rugby league instead playing on the Rugby Players’ Challenge Summer Series.[3][4]
2024 season
edit| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Location | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 June |  Barbados
|
Home | Burnaby Lake Rugby Club | 44–12 | [6] |
| 28 June |  Canada Select 'XV'
|
Home | Burnaby Lake Rugby Club | 44–33 | [6] |
| 20 July |  Germany
|
Home | Burnaby Lake Rugby Club | 30–26 | [7] |
| 3 August |  Brazil XV
|
Home | Burnaby Lake Rugby Club | 77–7 | [8] |
| 17 August | Canada XV
|
Home | Burnaby Lake Rugby Club | 23–38 |
Current squad
edit| Squad for 2024 Rugby Players’ Challenge Summer Series | ||
|---|---|---|
Propsedit
Hookersedit
Locksedit
|
Back-rowedit
Scrum-halvesedit
Fly-halvesedit
|
Centresedit
Outside Backsedit
|
Key
| ||
Club staff
editRugby Department[9]
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director of Sports Operations | Randall Barton
|
First Team Coaching[9]
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Tom Larisch
|
| Assistant Coach | Bill Chamberlain
|
Notable players
editInternationals
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Vancouver Highlanders Official Website". 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ Americas Rugby (2024-06-27). "Vancouver Highlanders set to kick off inaugural Series". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ Johnstone, Patrick (7 November 2023). "Vancouver finally gets a new-look rugby team". The Province. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Rugby Player's Challenge". Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ "Vancouver Highlanders 2024". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ a b Americas Rugby (2024-06-29). "Highlanders celebrate win over Canada Selects in club debut". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ MarkB (2024-07-21). "Vancouver Highlanders v Germany - July 2024". BC Rugby News. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ Americas Rugby (2024-08-04). "Brazil XV Humbled and Pummeled by Vancouver Highlanders". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
- ^ a b MarkB (2023-12-06). "Vancouver Highlanders - December 2023". BC Rugby News. Retrieved 2024-08-09.