BC Rugby can confirm that a Domestic Player Policy will be implemented for Clubs competing in Premier League competitions effective immediately.
The BC Rugby Board of Directors has been vigorously reviewing the BC Rugby Premier League competitions regarding the reimplementation of a Domestic Player Policy that requires a minimum number of Domestic Players fielded in these competitions.
Following consultation with Clubs that compete in these competitions, the BC Rugby Board of Directors met on Wednesday, June 4 and voted unanimously in favour of the Policy. The Policy requires all Premier League teams and Premier Reserve teams competing in Division 1 to field a minimum of 16 Domestic Players in their Match Day Rosters of 23.
The Policy will take effect immediately and be implemented for the upcoming 2025/26 Senior Club season.
The definition of a Domestic Player is; a player who is eligible to play for Canada under World Rugby Regulation 8 OR is a Canadian Citizen OR is a Canadian Permanent Resident.
Clubs will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Policy and submitting accurate Match Day Rosters each week. Breach of this Policy will result in an automatic default and potential further sanctioning.
The purpose of this Policy is to establish clear guidelines for the number of Domestic Players in the BC Rugby Premier Leagues and adjacent second teams playing in Division 1:
- Encourage the development and recruitment of Canadian talent
- Enhance the level of competition through international participation
- Ensure the integrity of competitions in British Columbia
The BC Rugby Senior Rules of Competition will be updated with these changes ahead of the 2025/26 Senior Club Season.