BC Bears Announce Coaching Staff for 2026 Age-Grade XVs Programs
British Columbia’s BC Bears have announced their coaching staff for the upcoming 2026 season, encompassing both U17 and U19 age-grade programs for boys and girls. The teams are preparing for a busy summer of competition, including participation in the O’Neill’s Challenge Cup and the Canadian Rugby Championships.
U17 Girls
Leading the U17 Girls team will be Head Coach Dean Murten, who also serves as the Head Coach for UBC Women’s Rugby and the Canada U20 team. He will be supported by Assistant Coaches Julia Sugawara (TWU Spartans/Burnaby Lake RFC) and Maria Gallo (UBC Thunderbirds/Rugby Canada).1
U17 Boys
Jamie McKenzie (TORA/UVIC Vikes) will take the helm as Head Coach for the U17 Boys, with Assistant Coaches Noah Pryce-Baff (Kats RFC) and Patryk Zuk (Capilano RFC) assisting him.1
U17 Programming: O’Neill’s Challenge Cup
The BC Bears U17 Boys and Girls XVs teams will compete in the newly established O’Neill’s Challenge Cup in Ontario from July 18-26.1 The Bears will aim to defend their titles, having won both Cups in 2025. The competition will be held at Guelph University.1
U19 Girls
Jake Thiel (UBCOB Ravens/Vancouver Thunderbirds) has been appointed Head Coach for the U19 Girls team, supported by Assistant Coaches Scott Hunter (Abbotsford RFC) and a yet-to-be-confirmed assistant coach.2
U19 Boys
Curry Hitchborn (Capilano RFC/VRU) will lead the U19 Boys team as Head Coach, with Didier Banse (UBC Thunderbirds) and Nate Mantle (Bayside Sharks RFC) serving as Assistant Coaches.2
U19 Programming: Canadian Rugby Championships
The BC Bears U19 Men’s and Women’s teams will travel to Ontario from July 18-26 to participate in the 2026 Canadian Rugby Championships.2 The U19 Women will compete as defending champions, while the U19 Men will strive to improve upon their silver-medal finish from 2025.2
U15 Development Camp
The “Build a Bear” Development Camps for U15 boys and girls will be held at Shawnigan Lake School from July 26-31, 2026.1 Athletes will be invited through regional nominations. Coaches will also be invited to observe expert technical coaches delivering sessions.1
2026 BC Summer Games
The 2026 BC Summer Games in Kelowna will feature a U17 Girls Rugby 7s competition. Zone coaches will collaborate with Regional Coaching Leads to coordinate joint training opportunities.2 Athletes will demand to choose between competing in BC Bears programming or the BC Summer Games, as the events overlap.2
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