A pair of Canadian universities will join the fray when the new Northwest conference kicks off later this month.
Vancouver's University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser will vie with seven Washington and Oregon 'state schools' in a Division 1 competition that's independent of Pacific Coast territory and Pacific Northwest union. The conference champion earns a berth in USARFU's national playoffs, although the Canadian schools will not be eligible.
American teams routinely cross the border looking for strong opposition in the Canada's leading rugby province: Seattle competes in BC's senior first division. The move by UBC and Simon Fraser marks the first time Canadian outfits have gone the other direction.
The duo are looking to play against student rivals. But college teams are scarce in Canada's top rugby province, which relies on age-grade sides associated with senior teams.
UBC has been competing in the Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League, which produces the lion's share of Canadian internationals and is often considered North America's strongest senior competition. The Thunderbirds are expected to field a reserve side in many of their Northwest games, while the first XV is to play an independent schedule, including its long-running series with American national champ Cal.
The formation of the Northwest College Rugby Conference is further evidence that America's territories and local unions are having less to do with organizing core activities.
Unlike the high school game's intended goal of state-based competition, however, the collegiate level's new trajectory has not been clearly articulated. USARFU has said it hopes to mimic conventional NCAA conferences, without describing how this applies to the 31 entrants in the Collegiate Premier League, or framing guidelines for a startup organization like the NCRC, which is not remotely close to the Pac 10's membership.
The Northwest initiated a 7s championship last October, won by Central Washington, and has picked up a handful of commercial sponsors including Marriott and Pepsi.
2011 Northwest Collegiate Rugby Conference
British Columbia, Central Washington, Eastern Washington, Oregon, Oregon State, Simon Fraser, Washington, Washington State, Western Washington
This is a return for UBC into the PNW Collegiate competition. Back in the early 70's the Thunderbirds and U of Victoria competed with the likes of Western Washington U, U of Wash, Oregon and Oregon State. UBC will enter their Braves (2nds) and Totems(Frosh)while the Varsity will play Home and Away with Cal, St Mary's, UVIC, CWU and U of Calgary.
Posted by: Paul Horne | 10 January 2011 at 21:47
The other conferences that are forming (Ivy, ACC, SEC) and the non-traditional leagues that make sense (like this one) are the way forward.
Perhaps USA Rugby should allow colleges to pull out of the LAU and TU system and run their own leagues and conferences?
Thats an awesome idea - now where have I heard that before?
Posted by: Jack Sparrow | 11 January 2011 at 07:32
Obviously, Mr. Sparrow is not following the news. Here is what the 11/22/10 USAR press release said about the administration of college rugby going forward:
"The Management Council will replace the College Strategic Committee and the Eligibility and Competition committees will have oversight of all college eligibility and competition issues. Members of the Management Council and eligibility and competition committees will come from the ranks of college coaches and administrators.
At the local level, college programs will begin to transition to a conference-based competition and administrative structure following the end of the 2010-2011 season. This transition will take place over a three-year period.
All teams will remain in good standing with their Territorial Unions (TUs)/Local Area Unions (LAUs) during the 2010-2011 season."
Posted by: Onetontomato | 11 January 2011 at 16:01
"leadership with jack clark" check? Check.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sih1ArSq970
Posted by: Captain Jack | 11 January 2011 at 18:41
Onetontomato
I was being sarcastic sir!
Posted by: Jack Sparrow | 11 January 2011 at 19:00
Didn't know Jack was a Marine?
Ooh rah
:-)
Posted by: Jack Sparrow | 12 January 2011 at 08:04
Jack Clark was NOT a Marine. He has coached the All Marine Rugby Team for several years and has a great respect for the Marine Corps.
http://www.bigcsociety.org/MarineCorpsClarkRugby/USMCrugby.html
Posted by: crashtheline7 | 13 January 2011 at 04:46
OMG - I was being sarcastic - again!
Ooh rah!!!
Posted by: Jack Sparrow | 13 January 2011 at 12:44
touchy touchy. people pms'in? people getting irritable from not eating with their new year's resolutions?
Posted by: Jack's kids | 13 January 2011 at 13:43