VANCOUVER – The third and final leg of the 2023 Canada West Rugby 7s Championship gets underway this weekend at UBC when the Thunderbirds play host to six other Canada West rivals from: Victoria, Trinity Western, Calgary, Alberta, Lethbridge and Regina. Beginning Friday morning and running through Saturday afternoon, the UBC Thunderbirds are looking to secure their third consecutive tournament victory of 2023 while securing their first ever Canada West Rugby 7s championship banner.
 
Heading into this weekend, the UBC Thunderbirds are 10-0 and ranked first in the Canada West Rugby 7s standings – eight points clear of second place Calgary. A complete view of the Canada West Rugby 7s standings can be seen here:


 
It's been a memorable season for UBC rugby across the board, and Dean Murten, head coach of the UBC Women's rugby program has been hard at work with his fellow coaches to wrap up the 2022-23 university season on a positive note.
 
"Having the home advantage, knowing the environment and knowing our turf will be a help to us," explained Dean Murten. "The athletes have performed at such a high level all season. It was a unified team in Alberta and they kept that momentum going in Victoria. They were all about connection and wanting to play together. A big goal for us will be to maintain our wining culture and wrap up the university season with a banner."
 
While Dean Murten has been a fixture at the top of the UBC women's rugby since 2018, he's quick to point out the invaluable contributions being put forth by assistant coaches Darcy Patterson and Glen Sharpe. Patterson, a UBC Thunderbird alumna, has taken the reins as head coach of the Rugby 7s program while Glen Sharpe's contributions have been a major positive to the Rugby 7s operation. Murten adds, ""Darcy Patterson and Glen Sharpe have been the driving forces behind this. We needed to put more time and investment into Rugby 7s as a Canada West sanctioned sport, and they've put a lot of effort and work into building culture, expectations and performance goals."


 
The 'Birds have some company at the top of the Canada West standings. Heading into Friday's action, the Calgary Dinos and Victoria Vikes are both eight points back of first place and will no doubt be trying everything in their respective arsenals to make up ground.
 
"UVic are the four-time defending champions. They'll be wanting to beat us. They won't lie down. They're a very good 7s team," concluded Dean Murten. "Calgary as well. It took Shoshanah Seumanutafa scoring a last second try to beat them last time. "There are no easy games, but those are two teams that we feel that will challenge us at the top."
 
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:
 
*Note – UBC #2's record will not count for the season-ending stats.

Friday, March 3

10:00 a.m. Lethbridge Pronghorns vs. Alberta Pandas
10:22 a.m. UBC Thunderbirds vs. Regina Cougars
10:44 a.m. Calgary Dinos vs. Trinity Western Spartans
11:06 a.m. Victoria Vikes vs. UBC #2

12:30 p.m. UBC Thunderbirds vs. Alberta Pandas
12:52 p.m. Lethbridge Pronghorns vs. Regina Cougars
1:14 p.m. Victoria Vikes vs. Trinity Western Spartans
1:36 p.m. Cagary Dinos vs. UBC #2

3:00 p.m. Alberta Pandas vs. Regina Cougars
3:22 p.m. UBC Thunderbirds vs. Lethbridge Pronghorns
3:44 p.m. Victoria Vikes vs. Calgary Dinos
4:06 p.m. UBC #2 vs. Trinity Western Spartans

Saturday, March 4

10:20 a.m. A3 vs. B4 (CSF #1)
10:42 a.m. B3 vs. A4 (CSF #2)
11:04 a.m. A1 vs. B2 (SF #1)
11:26 a.m. B1 vs. A2 (SF #2)

12:30 p.m. Loser CSF#1 vs. Loser CSF#2 (7th place game)
12:52 p.m. Winner CSF#1 vs. Winner CSF#2 (5th place game)
1:30 p.m. Loser SF #1 vs. Loser SF #2 (3rd place game)
2:00 p.m. Winner SF #1 vs. Winner SF #2
 
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Catch all of the action this weekend live at Thunderbird Stadium or via Canada West TV.