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Chilliwack’s Challis makes Team B.C. for rugby nationals

Challis joins the U-17 squad in Calgary for the Canadian Rugby Championships
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Chilliwack native Ben Challis is in Calgary, representing his province at the Canadian Rugby Championships.

B.C. Rugby announced last Friday the rosters for six teams that will compete against the likes of Quebec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Challis is on the 24 man U-17 boy’s roster that opened play Tuesday against Nova Scotia and faced Quebec Wednesday in round-robin play. The semi-final round was today (Friday) with consolation matches running Saturday and the gold medal matched schedule for Sunday.

Everything is happening at Calgary’s Rugby Park, with Challis and company taking on older competition.

His U-17 squad is entered against U-18 foes as B.C. Rugby strives for a higher level of challenge.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our age grade talent to step up and be counted,” said Dean Murten, B.C. Rugby’s Senior Manager for Rugby Growth and Development. “ We are making a concerted effort to improve development within the B.C. Rugby Rep Team program and hope that the players will really gain something from the tournament.”

The build up to the championships has taken place over the last three months, with the selection process including the Provincial Regional Championships (PRCs), training camps and matches against touring teams.

In total, 145 players from across the province are in Calgary for an action packed week.

In a tournament consisting of 65 matches, B.C. players will rack up almost 600 hours of competitive rugby.

see bcrugby.com



Eric Welsh

About the Author: Eric Welsh

I joined the Chilliwack Progress in 2007, originally hired as a sports reporter.
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