Kelowna RFC "Crows Rugby"

On May 9th, the Kelowna Crows cemented themselves in history; not only did they win one championship, but two! Sweeping BC Rugby’s second division with title wins for both the women’s and men’s sides. We love a double-double!

The women started the day with an exciting and maybe stressful game for some ;) against Chilliwack Crusaders. Both teams have been at the top of the table throughout the whole season, so it is no surprise that they both brought out the heat for this match, exchanging tries and hard hits. The Crows may have come through with the win, but we want to thank Chilliwack for a great match and for the effort they’ve put in this season in playing, growing women’s rugby, and being amazing competitors.

The men faced off with Interior rivals Kamloops Raiders. Both teams gave the fans a fantastic battle to watch, showing quality rugby. Just as you think the Crows extended their lead enough, the Raiders came back with two tries towards the end, proving why they’re last year's champions. Crows showed solid defence and managed to hold off the Raiders as they captured the Championship. Though rivals, we thank Kamloops for being great competitors and also allies, as we both understand the challenges of being an Interior team. We commend them for continuing to grow the sport of rugby in the Thompson-Okanagan.

We want to thank all the fans who made it out to South Surrey on Saturday: having you in the stands gave the teams the extra push they needed to win it for the club. We also can’t forget everyone who tuned in on the livestream. We appreciate all your support, donations, and love you’ve given throughout the season!

The last time the women won the Division 2 title was back in 2016/17, while the men brought home a championship in 2017/2018 with a Division 3 title win. It was 2003/2004 when they last won the Division 2 title. You can say it’s been a long time coming, but this is proof that Kelowna Crows are growing again as a club, and we’re excited to see what next season brings!

The day the senior men’s team has been preparing for is finally here: a Championship match-up against our interior rivals, the Kamloops Raiders RFC.

Kamloops is a hard-running, dynamic side that always puts the Crows to the test. While the Crows have passed that test twice this season, anything can happen in a final. The boys are primed, prepared, and ready to prevail.

We start with a powerful front row with Vice-Captain Cass Kocevar anchoring the scrum between his prop mates, Brandon Woods and Matt “Tendies” Barriault.

In the second row, we have the (could be) father-son duo of Chris Hill and Connor Laing. Laing will be looking to snag opponent lineouts and secure the ball, while opponents will be desperately searching for an inch of Hill that isn’t covered in athletic tape (spoiler: they can’t).

The back row is looking to unleash some pent-up aggression on any Raider foolish enough to cross their path. Jeff Lohse, Danny Illichman, and Brice Michaud offer the perfect combination of powerful running, hard-hitting, and Frenchness.

Directing traffic is the pride of Penticton, Rudy Mackenzie at #9 and feeding team captain Rick Schouten at #10. In the centers, the alliteration combo of Jef Vreys and James Duguid will bring slick passing and hard lines.

The back three is a deadly mix of speed, tenacity, and salon-quality hair. Tristan Gaudry and Isaac Young will leave nothing but a "bleachy blur" as they whiz down the sidelines, while Jared Curry will leave you wondering how this grey-mulleted freak of nature continues to dominate the sport at his advanced age.

The depth doesn't stop there. Evan Vodarek, Chase Schumacher, Xander Webb, Ben Dunkerly, and James Dolman offer the opposition no reprieve when they step into the pack. Melani Nanai, Stefan Vracarevic, and Tyson Potts will provide the spark and fresh legs for the backline.

It’s shaping up to be a classic Interior rivalry. If you are in the White Rock area this Saturday and want to witness a clash for the ages, head down to South Surrey Athletic Park at 1:15 PM or catch us on the livestream.

Come cheer on the Crows as they look to bring home the BC Rugby Championship!