UBC was the site for the inaugural tournament in the fall of 1971. Many changes have taken place over the past few decades, not the least of which is the staggering increase in the financial burden from the 1971 Donn Spence (Thunderbird rugby coach) “sponsorship” of the event. In 2006, a concern over player safety resulted in a longer period of rest between games, whereby game one was played four days before game 2 at various locations.
Anxious to expand its provincial championship program, the B.C. Federation of School Athletic Associations, as BC SCHOOL SPORTS was then called, appointed Bill Westcott commissioner. Only eight teams competed in this two-day event, but the competition was intense. In the championship final, Point Grey took advantage of a ten-man scrummage (which the laws then allowed) to force a Magee offside during extra time. David Whyte’s successful penalty kick gave Point Grey an 11-8 victory. During the early years there was both a fall and spring championship. Vancouver and Victoria had traditionally competed during the early part of the school year, whilst the newer schools outside of these areas chose to play in the spring. Growth in the sport, coupled with the pressure to crown only one champion, led to the adoption in 1979 of a single championship. Continued growth led to the dual championships for AA and AAA schools.
The AAA champion receives the R.P. Woodward Shield, named after the man who had been an icon in British Columbia rugby since arriving from England in 1887 at the age of 18. Woodward played, coached, managed and administered the sport for the next fifty years before retiring to the role of spectator until his death in 1957. Donated in 1957 by the BC Rugby Union, the Shield was initially competed for in an informal way, with the coaches of the Vancouver and Victoria champions phoning each other to arrange the game. Some years produced no game because the coaches were unaware of the protocol. That was certainly the case in 1966 when David Thompson School was the Vancouver winner of the New Zealand Shield. The AA championship began in 1991.
The annual championships have not been without a few “glitches” since the beginning. A British Columbia Ferry strike in 1977 caused havoc as tournament organizer Derek Hyde-Lay attempted to hastily fill spaces vacated by schools that had qualified but withdrew reluctantly. Trophies have gone missing, some permanently. Two sportsmanship trophies (named after Bill Westcott and Alan Worsley) and the original second and third place shields have never been recovered since being placed in the care of the winning schools. A province-wide teachers strike in 1987 forced the cancellation of the tournament, and in 1993 a Vancouver schools? dispute resulted in that zone being unrepresented.
With the reduction in available field space being imminent in 2010, a decision was made to move the final three days of the tournament to the Exhibition Ground in Abbotsford where, for the first time, a full slate of referees was available for every game. Kamloops Rugby Club, Brentwood College and St. George’s were the sites for the previous Saturday’s Round One games. Two private schools met in the AAA final when Number 1 seed Shawnigan Lake lived up to its ranking by defeating Number 3 ranked St. George’s at Rotary Stadium. In the AA final, Number 1 ranked Rockridge retained its position but only after receiving a scare from Number 7 ranked Collingwood.
In 2008, Britannia with only seventeen players, qualified for the tournament for the first time and placed sixteenth. On Day 1, they played with only fourteen against fifteen, because three were attending a funeral service. In the fifteen/sixteen game on Day 4, they played most of the game with only thirteen players against fifteen, except when one received a yellow card. In the seven/eight game on Day 4, when both Ladysmith and Rick Hansen had similar jerseys, one player tackled his own team member when he was about to score.
In 2010, first-time participants AAA Argyle and AA Smithers gave a good account of themselves in finishing twelfth in their respective tiers. In order to assist Smithers and L.V. Rogers, both of whom had to travel much farther than the other thirty teams, adjustments were made to the Day 1 schedule.
In the AAA 2011 quarter-finals, Carson Graham rebounded after trailing 19-0 at half-time to defeat Earl Marriott and then, after leading 19-10 at half-time in a semi-final, they lost to Oak Bay who was defeated by Shawnigan Lake in the final. For the second year in a row, rain prevented the Opening Ceremonies from taking place. The Closing Ceremonies on the last day were shortened to allow spectators and players to see the second game of the Vancouver Canucks vs. Boston Bruins Stanley Cup playoff game.
In 2012, Shawnigan Lake became the first team to win the Woodward Shield four successive times when they defeated a gritty Carson Graham side. Five other schools competed in the Championship for the first time and, in spite of the BCTF job action throughout the province, both AAA and AA divisions fielded a full complement of teams. Pete Tyler completed his ninth year as announcer of the semi-final and final games.
Many highlights over the years are worth recalling, too many to document in this brief historical look at the history. Some of them are:
- Prince George being reduced to fourteen players for their 1988 final game
- The goal-kicking “shoot-out” won by Princess Margaret in 1973
- Merritt’s three return trips in 1992
- D.W. Poppy’s extra time drop goal in 1992
- St. George’s victory over favoured Oak Bay following a twenty-five minute injury delay in 1993
- The first Players Banquet introduced by Commissioner John Narbett in 1983
- The 1975 entry fee of only $20
- Senior and age-grade players who have represented Canada, including Rugby World Cup Captain Mark Wyatt from Oak Bay, as well as Gary Johnston who was Canada’s Head Coach from 1985-1989 and Assistant Coach from 2000-2003.
- Norkam’s 1983 triumph, after three second place finishes
- Prince of Wales “threepeat” 1984-1986
- Three officials for each game after 1998, and the revised tournament format in 2006, where other sites around the province were used for Day One games, and Friday was designated a ‘day of rest’.
- More scholarships available to players
- In AAA, Kitsilano made it to the final 4 for the first and only time in 2002, whereas Carson Graham has made it every year from 2000-2007, winning it twice
- In AA, Rockridge has been the gold medal winner from 2004-2007
Since 1971, thousands of players, coaches and organizers have contributed to the ever-growing success of the annual tournament. Some players have gone on to represent their province and their country. All have participated in the true rugby tradition and have been worthy representatives of their school. May the tradition continue in years to come.
Doug Sturrock
Past Years of Provincial Championships
| Year | AAAA | AAA | AAA Tier II | AA | AA Tier II |
| 2018 – 2019 | Shawnigan Lake | Earl Marriott | Lord Byng | Collingwood | Sir Charles Tupper |
| 2017 – 2018 | Oak Bay | South Delta | W.J. Mouat | Collingwood | L.V. Rogers |
| 2016 – 2017 | Shawnigan Lake | Carson Graham | Terry Fox | St. Michaels University | Glenlyon Norfolk |
| 2015 – 2016 | Shawnigan Lake | Yale | Elgin Park | St. Michaels University | L.V. Rogers |
Since 1957 the RP Woodward Memorial Shield has been awarded to the top team in BC Boys High School Rugby. This team has been the winner of the AAAA Division since 2015-16. Prior to the creation of the AAAA Division to improve competitiveness, the Woodward Shield was awarded to the top team in AAA rugby from 1992 to 2015. Prior to 1992 when the BMO Shield was created for the AA Division, both AAA and AA teams competed for the Woodward Shield. In 2015-16 new Tier 2 championships were also created for both the AAA and AA Divisions, to improve the sport for all teams.
| Year | AAA | AA |
| 2014 – 2015 | Shawnigan Lake | St. Michaels University |
| 2013 – 2014 | St. George’s | Rockridge |
| 2012 – 2013 | Shawnigan Lake | Collingwood |
| 2011 – 2012 | Shawnigan Lake | Brentwood College |
| 2010 – 2011 | Shawnigan Lake | Collingwood |
| 2009 – 2010 | Shawnigan Lake | Rockridge |
| 2008 – 2009 | Shawnigan Lake | Brentwood College |
| 2007 – 2008 | Carson Graham | Brentwood College |
| 2006 – 2007 | St. Michaels University | Rockridge |
| 2005 – 2006 | Carson Graham | Rockridge |
| 2004 – 2005 | St. George’s | Rockridge |
| 2003 – 2004 | St. George’s | Rockridge |
| 2002 – 2003 | Oak Bay | Collingwood |
| 2001 – 2002 | Carson Graham | Collingwood |
| 2000 – 2001 | Oak Bay | Collingwood |
| 1999 – 2000 | Oak Bay | Robert Bateman |
| 1998 – 1999 | Lord Byng | Collingwood |
| 1997 – 1998 | Shawnigan Lake | Collingwood |
| 1996 – 1997 | St. Michaels University | Aldergrove |
| 1995 – 1996 | Carson Graham | Highland |
| 1994 – 1995 | Semiahmoo | Glenlyon Norfolk |
| 1993 – 1994 | St. George’s | Langley |
| 1992 – 1993 | Oak Bay | Aldergrove |
| 1991 – 1992 | St. Michaels University | D.W. Poppy |
Prior to the 1991-92 season, both AAA and AA schools competed for the RP Woodward Memorial Shield. From 1992 onwards, the top teams in AA rugby have competed for the BMO Shield.
| Year | AAA | |
| 1990 – 1991 | St. Michaels University | |
| 1989 – 1990 | Oak Bay | |
| 1988 – 1989 | Abbotsford | |
| 1987 – 1988 | Semiahmoo | |
| 1986 – 1987 | School Strike No Competition | |
| 1985 – 1986 | Prince of Wales | |
| 1984 – 1985 | Prince of Wales | |
| 1983 – 1984 | Prince of Wales | |
| 1982 – 1983 | Norkam | |
| 1981 – 1982 | Magee | |
| 1980 – 1981 | R.E. Mountain | |
| 1979 – 1980 | Oak Bay | |
| 1978 – 1979 | Magee |
In the 1971-72 school year, the BC Federation of School Athletic Associations (now BC School Sports) organized one provincial championship for the Fall of 1971 which was won by Point Grey. However, because different zones played rugby during different seasons of play, from the 1972-73 to the 1978-79 school years, there were two championships awarded each year, with one in the Fall and one in the Spring. From the 1978-79 school year onward, only one championship has been awarded and that has been in the Spring now for over 40 years.
| Year | AAA |
| 1977 – 1978 | Fall 1977: Magee | Spring 1978: Victoria High School |
| 1976 – 1977 | Fall 1976: Magee | Spring 1977: Victoria High School |
| 1975 – 1976 | Fall 1975: Magee | Spring 1976: Lord Tweedsmuir |
| 1974 – 1975 | Fall 1974: St. George’s | Spring 1975: Oak Bay |
| 1973 – 1974 | Fall 1973: St. George’s | Spring 1974: Oak Bay |
| 1972 – 1973 | Fall 1972: Not played for | Spring 1973: Princess Margaret Sr |
| 1971 – 1972 | Fall 1971: Point Grey | Spring 1972: Not played for |
|
From 1957 to 1970 the Victoria representative (Howard Russell winner) played the Vancouver representative (New Zealand Shield winner) in a game arranged by the coaches with the winner capturing the R.P. Woodward Memorial Shield, which has been awarded to the top team in BC Boys High School Rugby ever since. R.P. Woodward Memorial Shield |
|
| Year | AAA |
| 1970 | Shawnigan Lake |
| 1969 | Not played for |
| 1968 | Point Grey |
| 1967 | Brentwood College |
| 1966 | Not played for |
| 1965 | Sir Charles Tupper |
| 1964 | Not played for |
| 1963 | Not played for |
| 1962 | Not played for |
| 1961 | Not played for |
| 1960 | David Thompson |
| 1959 | David Thompson |
| 1958 | Lord Byng |
| 1957 | Lord Byng |
Early History
Prior to the donation of the R.P. Woodward Shield in 1957, there was neither a formal nor an informal championship for BC Boys High School Rugby. This meant two other long-standing competitions, one in Vancouver and one in Victoria were every bit as important, have enormous history and in fact, they still take place to this day. These competitions (in the Lower Mainland) are for the New Zealand Shield and (in Victoria) are for the Howard Russell Trophy.
The New Zealand Shield was donated by the New Zealand Rugby Union during an All Blacks tour in 1925. It was originally given to the Vancouver Rugby Union and then turned over to the Vancouver and District Inter-High School Athletic Association (V and D) for schools belonging to that Association ie. Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, North Vancouver and Richmond. These school districts eventually formed their own athletic associations. In 1979 the Vancouver Secondary Schools Athletic Association withdrew from the Vancouver and District Inter-High School Association, thereby losing the chance for their schools to play for the Shield. When the Lower Mainland League for rugby was formed in the mid 1990s, the V & D turned the Shield over to the Lower Mainland League for competition. For Vancouver schools between 1971 and 1980, it was often considered more important to win the New Zealand Shield than to win the R.P. Woodward Shield, such was its significance. The Shield is now contested for by the Vancouver Sea to Sky Zone.
New Zealand Shield Champions
Aotearoa Shield
Presented by
The New Zealand Rugby Football Union
to
The Vancouver Rugby Union
for
The Senior Mainland High School Rugby Championship
| 1925 King George | 1926 Magee | 1927 Magee | 1928 Magee |
| 1929 King George | 1930 King Edward | 1931 Magee | 1932 King George |
| 1933 Lord Byng | 1934 Lord Byng | 1935 Magee | 1936 King George |
| 1937 Lord Byng | 1938 Lord Byng | 1939 Lord Byng | 1940 Lord Byng |
| 1941 Lord Byng | 1942 Lord Byng | 1943 Lord Byng | 1944 Lord Byng |
| 1945 Lord Byng | 1946 King Edward | 1947 King Edward | 1948 Britannia |
| 1949 Vancouver Technical | 1950 Vancouver Technical | 1951 King Edward | 1952 King Edward |
| 1953 Kitsilano | 1954 Kitsilano | 1955 Vancouver Technical | 1956 Gladstone/Kitsilano |
| 1957 Lord Byng | 1958 Lord Byng | 1959 David Thompson | 1960 David Thompson |
| 1961 Prince of Wales | 1962 David Thompson/Lord Byng | 1963 Magee | 1964 Magee |
| 1965 Sir Charles Tupper | 1966 David Thompson | 1967 Sir Charles Tupper | 1968 Point Grey |
| 1969 Sir Charles Tupper | 1970 Point Grey | 1971 Magee | 1972 Point Grey |
| 1973 Prince of Wales | 1974 Point Grey | 1975 Sir Charles Tupper | 1976 Magee/Prince of Wales |
| 1977 Magee | 1978 Magee | 1979 Magee | 1980 Hillside |
| 1981 New Westminster | 1982 Burnaby South | 1983 Burnaby South | 1984 Burnaby South |
| 1985 Carson Graham | 1986 Burnaby North | 1987 No competition | 1988 Burnaby North |
| 1989 West Vancouver | 1990 Carson Graham | 1991 Carson Graham | 1992 Carson Graham |
| 1993 Carson Graham | 1994 Carson Graham | 1995 Carson Graham | 1996 Carson Graham |
| 1997 Lord Byng | 1998 Carson Graham | 1999 Lord Byng | 2000 Carson Graham |
| 2001 Carson Graham | 2002 Carson Graham | 2003 Carson Graham | 2004 St. George’s |
| 2005 St. George’s | 2006 Carson Graham | 2007 St. George’s | 2008 Carson Graham |
| 2009 St. George’s | 2010 Carson Graham | 2011 Carson Graham | 2012 Carson Graham |
| 2013 St. George’s | 2014 St. George’s | 2014 St. George’s | 2016 St. George’s |
| 2017 St. George’s | 2018 St. George’s | 2019 St. George’s | |
The Howard Russell Trophy
Since 1930, the top Boys High School rugby teams in Victoria have competed for the highly coveted Howard Russell Trophy, which is named after Ernest Howard Russell. Affectionately known as “The Howie,” much like the New Zealand Shield in the Vancouver/Lower Mainland zone, it was the highest competition possible for teams based on Southern Vancouver Island until the R.P. Woodard Shield was dedicated in 1957 and the first Provincial Championship was held in a challenge format between these two zones.
Howard Russell was born in Douglastown, New Brunswick and was an accomplished rugby player at the half-back position in Queen’s University and was part of a Canadian Rugby Championship team in the 130 pounds weight division. He was a “Renaissance Man” with many talents who taught both Math and Choir at UBC where he also played rugby before teaching at Victoria College. While in Victoria he promoted rugby in the Victoria area and was a key “rugby pioneer” for high school rugby on Vancouver Island. In the early years “The Howie” was primarily a competition between Victoria High School and Oak Bay High School, which have won it 13 times and 45 times by 2019 respectively. In more recent years, a total of 9 different schools have won the Howard Russell Trophy, including St. Michaels University School, which has won it 16 times.
| 1930 Vic. High | 1931 Oak Bay | 1932 Vic. High | 1933 Oak Bay |
| 1934 Oak Bay | 1935 Vic. High | 1936 Vic. High | 1937 Not played |
| 1938 Oak Bay | 1939 Oak Bay | 1940 Oak Bay | 1941 Oak Bay |
| 1942 Vic. High | 1943 Vic. High | 1944 Oak Bay | 1945 Oak Bay |
| 1946 Oak Bay | 1947 Oak Bay | 1948 Oak Bay | 1949 Oak Bay |
| 1950 Oak Bay | 1951 Oak Bay | 1952 Vic. High | 1953 Oak Bay |
| 1954 Vic. High | 1955 Oak Bay | 1956 Vic. High | 1957 Vic. High |
| 1958 Oak Bay | 1959 Oak Bay | 1960 Oak Bay | 1961 Oak Bay |
| 1962 Vic. High | 1963 Mount View | 1964 Vic. High | 1965 Mount View |
| 1966 Mount View | 1967 Mount Douglas | 1968 Mount Douglas | 1969 Claremont |
| 1970 Claremont | 1971 Claremont | 1972 Claremont | 1973 Claremont |
| 1974 Oak Bay | 1975 St. Michaels | 1976 St. Michaels | 1977 St. Michaels |
| 1978 Vic. High | 1979 St. Michaels | 1980 Oak Bay | 1981 Oak Bay |
| 1982 Oak Bay | 1983 Oak Bay | 1984 Parklands | 1985 Claremont |
| 1986 Stelly’s | 1987 Mt. Doug/Stelly’s | 1988 Spectrum | 1989 Oak Bay |
| 1990 Oak Bay | 1991 St. Michaels | 1992 St. Michaels | 1993 St. Michaels |
| 1994 St. Michaels | 1995 Oak Bay | 1996 St. Michaels | 1997 St. Michaels |
| 1998 Oak Bay | 1999 Oak Bay | 2000 Oak Bay | 2001 Oak Bay |
| 2002 Oak Bay | 2003 St. Michaels | 2004 Oak Bay | 2005 Oak Bay |
| 2006 Oak Bay | 2007 St. Michaels | 2008 St. Michaels | 2009 St. Michaels |
| 2010 Oak Bay | 2011 Oak Bay | 2012 Oak Bay | 2013 Oak Bay |
| 2014 Oak Bay | 2015 Oak Bay | 2016 St. Michaels | 2017 St. Michaels |
| 2018 Oak Bay | 2019 Oak Bay |
AAA Most Sportsmanlike Team Award
The BCSSRU Most Sportsmanlike Team Award was first presented in 1991 and until 1993 there was only one winner selected. In 1993 both the AA and AAA Division winners were selected for the first time. From 2014 to 2018 the AAA Most Sportsmanlike Team Award was missing so it was not awarded and we are fortunate to have recovered it to help keep our history alive.
| 1991 |
Kitsilano/West Vancouver |
| 1992 | Magee |
| 1993 | St. Michaels University |
| 1994 | Shawnigan Lake |
| 1995 | St. George’s |
| 1996 | St. Michaels University |
| 1997 | Lord Byng |
| 1998 | Penticton |
| 1999 | Carson Graham |
| 2000 | GP Vanier |
| 2001 | West Vancouver |
| 2002 | Rutland |
| 2003 | St. Michaels University |
| 2004 | Lord Byng |
| 2005 | Fleetwood Park |
| 2006 | Magee |
| 2007 | Earl Marriott |
| 2008 | Lord Byng |
| 2009 | WJ Mouat |
| 2010 | Handsworth |
| 2011 | Robert Bateman |
| 2012 | Handsworth |
| 2013 | Semiahmoo |
| 2019 | West Vancouver |
AA Most Sportsmanlike Team Award
| 1993 | Pleasant Valley |
| 1994 | Ladysmith |
| 1995 | Ladysmith |
| 1996 | Merritt |
| 1997 | South Okanagan |
| 1998 | A.L. Fortune |
| 1999 | A.L. Fortune |
| 2000 | Prince George |
| 2001 | Vanderhoof |
| 2002 | Selkirk |
| 2003 | A.L. Fortune |
| 2004 | Sir Charles Tupper |
| 2005 | Kelowna Christian |
| 2006 | Sir Charles Tupper |
| 2007 | Kelowna Christian/Heritage Park |
| 2008 | Kalamalka |
| 2009 | Collingwood |
| 2010 | Norkam |
| 2011 | Sentinel |
| 2012 | Collingwood |
| 2013 | Not Awarded |
| 2014 | Not Awarded |
| 2015 | St. Michaels University School |
| 2016 | LV Rogers |
| 2017 | DW Poppy |
| 2018 | DW Poppy |
| 2019 | Byrne Creek |
Past Years of Provincial Championships (Junior Boys)
| 2019 | St. George’s |
| 2018 | Earl Marriott |
| 2017 | Shawnigan Lake |
| 2016 | Shawnigan Lake |
BCSSRU Commissioners
| 2015 – Present | Walter van Halst |
| 2005 – 2015 | Stephen Rowell |
| 1990 – 2005 | Brian Lynch |
| 1987 – 1990 | Douglas Sturrock |
| 1986 – 1987 | Greg Ponsart |
| 1980 – 1986 | John Narbett |
| 1978 – 1980 | Claude Marsden |
| 1977 – 1978 | Tony Whitham* |
| 1974 – 1977 | William “Bill” Turpin |
| 1971 – 1974 | Bill Westcott* |
* Deceased
BCSSRU Presidents
| 2015 – Present | Stephen Rowell |
| 2014 – 2015 | Walter van Halst |
| 2013 – 2014 | Stephen Rowell |
| 1990 – 2013 | Brian Lynch |
| 1987 – 1990 | Douglas Sturrock |
| 1986 – 1987 | Greg Ponsart |
| 1980 – 1986 | John Narbett |
| 1978 – 1980 | Claude Marsden |
| 1977 – 1978 | Tony Whitham* |
| 1974 – 1977 | William “Bill” Turpin |
| 1971 – 1974 | Bill Westcott* |
* Deceased
BCSSRU Honourary Members
The BCSSRU Constitution and Bylaws state: Directors may admit to membership as an Honourary Member any individual who has given outstanding service to the Union.
In order to be considered the individual must satisfy two criteria:
- Be of good standing in the community at large
- Have made a long-standing contribution to secondary school rugby as a coach, referee, executive, tournament committee member, supporter, convenor or zone representative.
Past winners are:
| 1995 | Derek Hyde-Lay* |
| Peter Horn | |
| Claude Marsden | |
| John Marbett | |
| Mike Smith | |
| Doug Sturrock | |
| Tony Whitham* | |
| 1996 | William “Bill” Turpin |
| 1997 | David Milne* |
| 1998 | Don Burgess* |
| 1999 | Marty Godsmark |
| 2000 | Brian Lynch |
| Garth Henrikson | |
| 2002 | Buzz Moore* |
| 2003 | Ian Hyde-Lay |
| 2004 | Paul Carnes |
| 2008 | Ken Erikson |
| 2009 | Blake Lewis |
| 2010 | Ian MacKay |
| Stephen Rowell | |
| Dave Speirs | |
| 2013 | Ian Busfield |
| Pat Palmer | |
| 2014 | Owen Schutz |
| 2015 | Al Hudson |
| Ryan McWhinney | |
| 2017 | Gary Johnston |
| Dennis Quigley | |
| Henry’s Outdoor BBQ | |
| 2019 | Kevin Ballard |
* Deceased
BCSSRU Distinguished Coach Award
Presented for longstanding service and excellence in coaching rugby union.
| 2019 | Barry Burnham |
| Ron Burton | |
| Roger Hatch | |
| Paul Horne | |
| Spence McTavish |
Tony Whitham Coaches Choice Award for Referee Excellence
Following the passing of Tony Whitham the BCSSRU membership voted to create an annual award for referee excellence which is chosen by the coaches at the conclusion of the Provincial Championships in the same way the referees select the Most Sportsmanlike team awards. The award is presented at the Coaches Dinner the following year to celebrate the recipient.
| 2018 | Kevin Smith |