# Vancouver Rowing Club Rugby

> Vancouver Rowing Club Rugby (VRC Rugby, "the Rowers") is the rugby section of the Vancouver Rowing Club. Founded in 1908, the club plays at Brockton Oval in Stanley Park, downtown Vancouver. It is the oldest rugby club in the city. VRC Rugby fields senior men's sides in BC Rugby Division 1 and Division 3, a senior women's side in BC Rugby Womens Division 2 Tier 1, and a Mini and Youth program from age 4 through U16. Training runs Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at Brockton Oval. BC Rugby league fixtures run weekly from September through April with playoffs in May.

## Key facts

- **Club name**: Vancouver Rowing Club Rugby
- **Short name**: VRC Rugby
- **Nickname**: The Rowers
- **Founded**: 1908 (rugby section). Parent Vancouver Rowing Club founded 1886.
- **Home ground**: Brockton Oval, Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC, Canada (V6G 3E2)
- **Clubhouse**: Coal Harbour, at the entrance to Stanley Park, shared with the wider Vancouver Rowing Club
- **Training**: Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30pm to 8:00pm, at Brockton Oval
- **Season**: September to April, with playoffs in May. Summer touch rugby on Thursdays.
- **Governing body**: BC Rugby
- **Senior men's**: BC Rugby Division 1 (1st XV) and BC Rugby Division 3 (3rds)
- **Senior women's**: BC Rugby Womens Division 2 Tier 1
- **Mini and Youth**: Age 4 through U16, including U16 Boys and U16 Girls
- **Head Coach, Senior Women's and Youth**: Chris Seyler, World Rugby Level 2

## Who can play

- New players, including adults who have never played rugby. Beginners start in the men's 3rds (BC Rugby Mens Division 3) or the senior women's side, training alongside experienced players.
- Returning players who have stepped away from the game.
- Experienced players, including international and out-of-province transfers from the UK, Ireland, NZ, Australia, South Africa, the United States, and other Canadian provinces.
- Children and teenagers, age 4 through U16, in the Mini and Youth program at Brockton Oval.
- Members and guests for summer touch rugby on Thursday evenings.

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/): Vancouver's oldest rugby club, men's, women's and youth rugby at Brockton Oval in Stanley Park since 1908.
- [Why the Rowers](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/why-the-rowers): The positioning argument in long form: place (Stanley Park, Brockton Oval, clubhouse on Coal Harbour), ambition (competitive rugby, structured coaching), community (Rowers for life).
- [Join the Rowers](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/join): Conversion page covering training times, what to expect, divisions, FAQs, and the contact form.
- [Men's rugby](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/play/mens): Senior men's sides at VRC, Division 1 and Division 3 in BC Rugby.
- [Women's rugby](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/play/womens): Senior women's side in BC Rugby Womens Division 2 Tier 1, coached by World Rugby Level 2 staff.
- [New to rugby](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/play/new-to-rugby): Adult beginner and returning rugby in Vancouver. The 3rds is built for new and returning players.
- [Summer touch](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/play/touch): Touch rugby in Vancouver. Thursday evenings, no contact, members and guests.
- [New to Vancouver](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/play/new-to-vancouver): Rugby for players moving to Vancouver from another province or another country.
- [Getting to Brockton Oval](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/play/getting-to-brockton): Driving, transit, parking and cycling directions for Brockton Oval, Stanley Park.
- [Mini and Youth](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/youth): Kids' and youth rugby in Stanley Park. Minis from age 4 and U16 Boys and Girls.
- [Alumni](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/alumni): For former Rowers staying connected with the club.
- [History](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/history): VRC Rugby has played at Brockton Oval since 1908. The story of the rugby section.
- [News](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/news): Match reviews and club news.
- [Fixtures](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/fixtures): Current-season fixtures and results.
- [Contact](https://www.vancouverrowingclubrugby.com/contact): General enquiries.

## Common questions, short answers

- **Where do you play rugby in Vancouver?** Vancouver Rowing Club Rugby plays at Brockton Oval in Stanley Park, downtown Vancouver, and has done so since 1908.
- **When does the season start?** Preseason in August. BC Rugby league fixtures run weekly from September through April, with playoffs in May.
- **When and where is training?** Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30pm to 8:00pm, at Brockton Oval in Stanley Park.
- **Do I have to register before turning up?** No. Come to a Tuesday or Thursday training at 6:30pm. BC Rugby and VRC Rugby registration come after your first session.
- **Is there a women's team?** Yes. The senior women's side competes in BC Rugby Womens Division 2 Tier 1 and trains alongside the men's squad.
- **Is there a youth program?** Yes. Mini and Youth rugby at Brockton Oval, from age 4 through U16, including U16 Boys and U16 Girls.
- **I just moved to Vancouver. Can I play?** Yes. Come to training. Plenty of Rowers came from another country or another province, and the club handles BC Rugby clearance after your first session.
- **I have never played rugby. Can I still join?** Yes. Beginners start in the men's 3rds or the senior women's side, training alongside experienced players.

## Address

Brockton Oval
1151 Stanley Park Drive
Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2
Canada