Overview

The Burnaby Lake Rugby Club fields competitive teams at the highest levels of mens and womens rugby in Canada, but also accommodates players who wish to learn the game or just participate socially.

Rugby is played at BLRC year-round. The 15-a-side league season runs September through April, with a break over December and January. During the season, all senior teams practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Games are Saturdays with kickoffs at 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm and 2:45 p.m. Home games are at the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex, away games as per the published schedules.
Fall Competition

In the fall, BLRC plays in the Vancouver Rugby Union Spray League competition. The mens program fields teams at the First, Second and Third Division levels. The Spray League is the highest level competition in the Lower Mainland region. The womens program fields a First Division team.
Winter/Spring Competition

In the spring, BLRC’s top two mens teams play in the province-wide Premier league competition, which is the highest level of club competition in Canada. The mens third team plays in the Vancouver Rugby Union third division competition. BLRC’s womens team plays in the province-wide Womens Premier league. In 2003, 2006, 2007 and again in 2009 the BLRC Senior Women won the BC Women’s provincial championship.
Off-Season

In the off-season, BLRC members play touch on Thursdays, usually starting at 6:30 p.m. The Club also participates in a number of 7-a-side tournaments throughout the summer, and organizes at least one in-province tour each year.

Coaches and Staff

BLRC provides it’s players with first class instruction and leadership from top level coaches. The Club also has a conditioning consultant that runs fitness sessions every practice, a staff of trainers who attend games and practices, and a club doctor.
1st Division + Forwards Coach: Andy Fell
Andy Fell has been a fixture at Burnaby Lake for over ten years. He joined BLRC after a career in the British Army. Whether through long service in Northern Ireland, or just English disposition, Andy has a low tolerance for shenanigans. Thankfully, his excellent technical knowledge lets him coach players to “sort out” line-outs and scrums as well.
Third Division Coach: Joe Lee
Long time BLRC player and coach, Joe comes from a teaching background, and is well suited by disposition and training to teach rugby to the clubs developing players.
Womens Coach: Walt Brandl
Walt has coached the Burnaby Lake Women’s team for back to back Premier Championship’s. Walt most recently helped coach BC in the NWL, where a first place finish was earned by his ladies.
Womens Assistant Coach: Ian Trevor
Originally from Ajax Ontario, Ian has travelled across Canada and abroad with our sport. After a knee injury cut short his time with the Ajax Wanderers, he began his refereeing career. In his 20 years as a high level ref, Ian has been fortunate enough to preside over BC Premier Finals, Rugby Canada National Championships, and was an assistant ref in a Canada vs. England Women’s match. He has been coaching with our women’s team at Burnaby Lake since 2008. A true “Rugby Guy” in every sense of the word, when not on our sidelines, he can be seen coaching the U19 Vancouver Wave girl’s rep team at the Pacific Regional Championships (Silver medal in 2009 and to Gold in 2010), and at Burnaby North Secondary School, where he has been the head coach since 2009.
Athletic Trainers
Every BLRC team is assigned a qualified sports medical trainer, each of whom the Club equips with supplies for taping, sports massage and injury treatment. Trainers monitor players health and rehabilitation from injury, are available for taping and sports massage before practices and games, and provide immediate medical attention when required during games. Our head trainer is Dr. Crysta Serne, a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic and principal at the Vitality Wellness Clinic.
Club Doctor
BLRC is fortunate to have Dr. Don Hedges, a physician with a sport medicine practice, on hand at most home games. Dr. Hedges also graciously provides priority appointments to Club players who need to see him during the week.
Club Dentist
BLRC is also very lucky to have Dr. Selena Chow, who practises Family Dentistry, available to provide dental services to players on a priority basis. Selena attends many of the Club’s games and can be reached immediately at 604 809 4384.