A Club for All

The past two weeks, cameras have been snapping photos of our mini and junior athletes as they tear up the pitches across the lower island. We have added a few below, but please follow our youth and main social media accounts to see more, every week.

It is an incredible sight to see so many athletes on each of our age grade teams. The future of the club looks amazingly bright, as these athletes are being coached by some of the best in the sport - a special thanks to our coaches who volunteer their time week after week to guide these players in their rugby journey.

While it’s hard to believe that we are already into November, the growth that our mini and junior athletes have shown to date indicate that this season has been an awesome one for all - from U6-U18, the most common aspect of all teams is that they can’t be stopped…that’s right, You Can’t Stop the Bear!

Good luck to all in the final weeks of regular season play.

Game Report - 19 October: Bay Day in the Mud Bowl!

Submitted by Bad Boy.

Saturday was the first Bay Day we have had at MacDonald Park in two years as both our Prems and Reserves recorded well-deserved wins over Westshore.  The Reserve game started in showery conditions but before the final whistle for the Prems game sounded, the proverbial ‘cats and dogs’ rainfall had turned into an all-out deluge. As expected, supporters from both clubs were few and far between, with most huddled under canopies;  in return for this discomfort they were treated to exciting games from start to finish and their enthusiasm for the action was loudly expressed…emotions between these teams is always fulsome.

In the earlier game, sloppy conditions prevented either team from scoring as both refused shots at goal, preferring to go for line-outs on penalties, an unsuccessful strategy for both. Finally, at the 25 minute mark, Craig Mitchell-Hermann changed plans and slotted a penalty from in close to give the home team a 3-0 lead. Following the restart a chip kick from Isaac Gonevou lead to a scrum won by JBAA and the ensuing Isaac-to brother-Joeli pass allowed Kai Khan to burst between tacklers and score between the posts. With the convert it appeared that the Bays would take a 10-0 lead into the break, but a well-developed back line movement saw Westshore  score a converted try just before the half ended. 10-7 at the break.

Big Peter Masimo came in for JBAA at the half and immediately made his presence felt, gleefully bowling over opponents like a playground bully….a pleasure to behold!  Buoyed by his presence, the Bays pressed the defence until a Velox infraction allowed Double Name to notch his second penalty. With the home team up 13-7 Westshore’s jumbo-sized #5 broke through the middle to score between the sticks and with the convert give Westshore their first lead…14-13. With the rain now pouring and time winding down, the band of spectators is treated to a line break by Double Name, a pass to Ethan Woods and a barging tally by Toby Ng.  Double converts to nail a 20-14 win…the first pillar of a Bay Day now complete.

By the time the second game started on the same lower field, it had become a mud bowl with uncertain footing and awkward handling. An unpromising start for the home fans saw Westshore score a try just two minutes into the game and with a penalty they moved into an 8-0 lead with only 10 minutes gone. An impressive kick and chase by Wyatt Pilz then allowed Callum Botchar to pounce on the loose ball to give JBAA their first 5 points. Before the half closes a huge scrum by JBAA resulted in speedy D’Shawn Bowen getting his hands on the ball and churning his way in for a tally to let the home team go to the break leading 10-8.

Early in the second half Crosby Stewart was binned for a ‘deliberate knock-on’…tough call in the wind and rain. The outmanned Bays’ defence remained resolute until the last moments of the sin bin when another try gave the visitors a 13-10 advantage. A successful penalty kick gave  the Langford squad a 16-10 advantage with 17 minutes to go. From here on, the home squad, their white jerseys now a muddy brown, controlled the game with a ferocity and determination not seen for some time. The inevitable go-ahead try came once again from Callum Botchar after a sustained forward attack lasting a full six minutes.  Burton ices the convert to make it 17-16 and his penalty moments later coffin-nails the 20-16 victory.

The carnival-like celebration in the clubhouse featured obnoxious music, shirts off and general jubilance prior to Rookie Night at the club.

Life is good.

Juniors Week 2: Tearing up the pitch from Nanaimo, to Shawnigan, to CW

Juniors week two saw the U18 girls in Nanaimo, dominating the pitch against the Hornets with a >50 point victory - the talent in this team is simply incredible, what a team to watch as the season continues. This week was a bye week for the U14 and U16 girls, with their next matches coming on the 20th v the Rapids.

Further south, the U14-U18 boys faced the Salish Sea Warriors in Shawnigan. First, the U14s hit the lower pitch. Although outnumbered, they fought hard with strong defence and some great breaks on offence. These kids are coming together well and will get an opportunity for an additional exhibition game this coming Saturday at Windsor Park, joining forces with Abbotsford to face the host club, CW.

The U16s took their second win of the season, letting up only one try and surprising Salish and taking them by a >50 point spread. The U16s will join the fun at CW this weekend, facing Abbotsford at 1pm. Immediately following the U16s game in Shawnigan, the U18s hit the lower pitch. While still short players due to injury, and greatly outnumbered, with the U14s and U16s on the sidelines cheering them on, they fought to the bitter end, with Connor Steeves ensuring they slapped some points on the scoreboard. As players return to the lineup, we are excited to watch this team in the weeks to come. Each of these teams are very much looking forward to integrating with and learning from the Senior players at this Thursday’s joint training.

Finally, on the pitch at CW, our minis had their first jamboree. There were smiles for miles accross all pitches. While flags were flying from left to right, many of our U12s experienced tackle rugby for their first time. All finished the day with a great experience to speak of, and ready for the upcoming weekend rest, with next minis training occurring on the 20th.

2024/25 Junior Program Practice Times and Upcoming Key Dates

Key upcoming dates for the U14-18 teams are below. Pre-season 7s tourneys will run between 8 and 15 September throughout BC, in prep for Kamloops the weekend of 21 September. The start of the fall age-grade 15s season is expected to occur the weekend of 28 September. The fall season is expected to run until the weekend of 1 December (finals), with BC finals the weekend of 8 December. 

Registration open for the 24/25 season!

JBAA Annual General Meeting ~ 13 June 2024 ~ 7-9pm

Our Annual General Meeting will be held at the club house on Thursday, 13 June and will start at 7:00 pm.

Lots of things to discuss as we wrap up our 2023/24 business and look ahead to a new year!

We encourage ALL members, and all those interested in joining the club, to come out to the AGM to meet the executive, find out plans for the teams and our building, and sign up to volunteer.

If you cannot attend in person we will be running a video call and you can join using the link below.

Note that the virtual option is a Teams call - you do not need an account, nor should you have to download an app (unless you prefer).

Teams Event

Minis Summer Camps Coming to MacDonald Park This Summer!

We have some good news to share regarding summer camps at Macdonald Park for kids aged 5-14:

We are able to offer two Summer Camps this year:

1. July 22nd-26th, 9am-1pm  @ Macdonald Park . Price is $90 per child.

2. Aug 6th-8th, 9am-1pm @ Macdonald Park. Price is $60 per child.

These camps will fill up quickly and we are offering our JBAA families first chance to secure a place!

Please email Kelly at youthrugby@jbaa.ca to reserve your spot and/or to find out more information. 

JBAA Press Release - New Coach Announcement - Welcome to the Bays, Brett

James Bay Athletic Association President, John de Goede wishes to share the following Coach update:

"Brett Beukeboom will take over the role of Head Coach of Men’s Rugby at JBAA, effective immediately. Brett will replace current coach Tony Healy. Brett brings years of coaching experience, RFU Level 2 certification and will continue on with the JBAA Player-Centric Philosophy: to allow the players to thrive on and off the pitch.”

de Goede went on to say: “JBAA appreciates all the hard work and time put in by Healy, especially during the Covid shutdown. We accepted Tony’s decision to step down when the season ended. We wish him all the best in his future coaching endeavours.”

Interested in playing with JBAA? You can contact Brett at : coach-senior-men@jbaa.ca

Need more information about JBAA or this story? Contact John de Goede at : President@jbaa.ca

More on Brett: https://www.ultimaterugby.com/brett-beukeboom

A Team Canada legend and Cornish Pirates powerhouse, in his early days Brett played against the Bays and went on to play for UVic. His professional rugby career included 32 international caps and the Rugby Word Cup - he brings with him a wealth of experience, both as player and coach with a proven track record of success on the pitch.

Coaching Experience:
- Coached local club rugby in England for 3 seasons. 
- Ontario Blues academy coach for 8 months. 
- JBAA Assistant coach for 2 seasons. 
- Guest coach with Pacific Pride when time permits. 

From all of us, thank you, Brett - looking forward to hitting the pitch with you at the helm!

Esquimalt High School Epilepsy Awareness Rugby 7’s Hosted at JBAA - 12 Apr '24

Where: JBAA, Macdonald Park - 205 Simcoe Victoria, BC

When: Friday, April 12th - 9:30am Kickoff - 3:40pm Finish

Cost: No cost - donations are welcome for bursary fund

Donation info:

• A scholarship/bursary fund is being created for this event.

• 50% of the donations collected will be going directly to the BC Epilepsy Society charity.

• 50% of the donations will be going to a deserving rugby player in the form of a bursary or scholarship to help cover costs associated with:

  Post-secondary tuition expenses for Fall 2024

  Local Club Fees, travel, and accommodation 

  Travel Expenses from participation on BC Rugby Provincial

          or Canada Rugby team events (national or international)

*Donations can be made in cash, or cheque made payable to Esquimalt High School with a note saying it is for “Epilepsy Awareness Bursary Fund” provided to tournament host Eliza Woods and the Esquimalt Rugby Executive.