The stage is set for a big-time rivalry battle as the UBC Thunderbirds host the Victoria Vikes on Saturday, September 14^th. It's the first home game of the season for the T-Birds, and first leg of the Wightman Boot series. The two teams will take the field at the Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre at 2:30 p.m. (PT).

As was the case during the back half of last season, the match will be available to view from anywhere with the UBC Men's Rugby Program and the Rugby Network (TRN) thrilled to announce a renewal of their broadcast partnership that will feature all eight T-Birds home games this season streamed live, for free and on demand exclusively on TRN. This partnership ensures all UBC Rugby supporters and alumni will be able to stay connected to live game action and the current crop of talented student-athletes competing for the decorated program from wherever they might be in the province or around the world.

To catch the action, simply go to www.therugbynetwork.com and sign up for a free account. As the official broadcast partner of UBC T-Birds Men's Rugby, TRN will once again forward showcase top quality Canadian university rugby and BC Rugby Premier League action, while raising awareness for the product on their platform, which has established reach and profile in the game around the globe. 



The 2024 national championship tournament will be held in Ottawa this November. The Thunderbirds are on the hunt for a fourth-straight national banner, and that quest continues with their game against Victoria this weekend.

UBC's four games against UVic and Trinity Western University, known as the Coastal Cup, determine who qualifies for nationals. The T-Birds are 1-0 in Coastal Cup play this year following a convincing 61-18 season-opening victory over Trinity Western on September 7th. The Thunderbirds have won five of the six national titles since the tournament began in 2017. They enter this season once again ranked #1 in the country.



"The win last weekend against The Spartans was huge for us. We came into this season much fitter than last year, and that showed in our performance," said UBC head coach Didier Banse. "Getting off on the right foot was a priority, and the team delivered. It's a sign that the hard work in the off-season is paying off, and it gives us a solid platform to build from as we move forward."

On top of being a Coastal Cup clash, Saturday's matchup against the visiting Vikes carries even more weight. That's because it's also part of the fight for the Wightman Boot, a trophy handed out each fall to the team that scores the most points over the two games the schools play against each other.

UBC has won the Boot in 10 of the last 11 seasons, taking it by just a single point last year when they followed a 24-19 loss in Victoria with a 31-25 win in Vancouver, for an aggregate score of 50-49 in favour of the T-Birds.



"We know UVic is going to bring a very physical game; they'll be looking to disrupt us and steal our ball whenever they get the chance," added Banse. "We have to value our own possession and make sure we're wearing them down by building phases. This is a rivalry with so much history, and the Wightman Boot series is a cup we're determined to keep on our side of the water."

This weekend's tilt is the first leg of this year's Wightman Boot series, with the return leg set for October 19^th in Victoria.