Vancouver Island Thunder Overview

Vancouver Island Thunder
Overview
The Vancouver Island Thunder took off in the spring of 2014,
promoting the great game of 7’s rugby to Aboriginal communities
on Vancouver Island. The Thunder focused on Sevens Rugby, an
exciting version of rugby, and is now recognized as an Olympic
Sport.
We would like to thank and recognize you for your support of the
Vancouver Island Thunder program. The response to our
program from the Aboriginal and rugby community was
immense. Our social media Facebook page has become the mecca of all things First Nation rugby!
Goals: The Vancouver Island Thunder aims to offer a structured vehicle to promote the game of rugby to Aboriginal
communities on Vancouver Island, specifically:
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To promote the game of rugby to Aboriginal communities
To identify potential high performance Aboriginal athletes that could one day represent Canada, potentially at
the Summer Olympics
2014 Year in Review / Highlights
March:
April:
May – June:
July:
August:
Camp at National University 7s championships, Westhills
Fundraiser / capping ceremony for Phil Mack at James Bay Rugby clubhouse
Four afternoon rugby camps in Campbell River, Port Alberni, Cowichan & Saanich
Two day rugby immersion camp at Shawnigan Lake school / participation at the International Youth 7s
tournament at UVic. Boys U16 placed 4th of 8 (undefeated on day 1), Girls U18 placed 2nd of 3
Two afternoon camps in Ontario: Oakville & Six Nations
Our Team
Manager: John Lyall, of Kwakwaka’wakw descent, currently VP in SD 62, President of VIRU Rugby
Head Coach: Phil Mack, of Toquaht Nation, Canada International rugby player with over 40 international appearances in
7s rugby for Canada and 15 international appearances in XVs rugby
Communications / Manager: Mark Bryant, editor of BC Rugby News
Where to now: Our initial year planted some phenomenal seeds of Aboriginal rugby, here on Vancouver Island as well
as across the country. Whereas our overall goals remain consistent, some specific goals for the 2015 season are:
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Maintain our relationship with Shawnigan Lake School & the International Youth 7s tournament.
Maintain our relationships with rugby unions such as Vancouver Island, British Columbia and Canada.
Expand our program from U16 boys to U16 & U18 boys (maintain U18 girls)
Focus our Aboriginal athlete recruitment model: simply, how do we attract Aboriginal athletes to our program.
We attracted Aboriginal athletes who were already playing rugby. We were able to do so provincially and
nationally; that is, athletes from across BC and Canada joined our program.
Expand our female Aboriginal athlete recruitment model.
Expand our coaching staff and facilitate our coaches development.
Develop relationship to introduce youth rugby 7s to the North American Indigenous Games
Check us out at www.firstnationsrugby.com, on Facebook under Vancouver Island Thunder or First Nations Rugby on
Twitter
Mack Family, JBAA clubhouse
Campbell River camp, April 2014
Thunder in Rugby Canada magazine!
Thunder Photoshoot, January 2014
Thunder Mask gifted to team by Rande Cook
Thunder players in their Phil Mack international rugby wear!
Clockwise from above: Thunder U18 girls at UVic, Shawnigan Lake
Camp, UVic Feast, Thunder girls Maira, Lydia, boys Brandon & Kyle
at the Nationals in Calgary.