BC Rugby – Vancouver, BC – March 27, 2017: BC Rugby is pleased to announce the appointment of Tony Healy as the Head Coach of the BC Rugby Senior Men’s XVs team, better known as the BC Bears. Joining him will be Phil Mack who has been appointed the Assistant Coach. 

Healy has played rugby professionally for eight years in Europe, playing for teams in France and England. He has also represented Canada’s National team fifteen times between 1996 and 1999. In 2007 and 2009, Healy coached the Canadian U20 Men’s team and has also led the Brentwood College School rugby program, leading them to three provincial championship titles in five years.  

Tony Healy shares, “Coaching the BC Bears is a great honor for me; I feel a sense of responsibility in accepting this role, especially when I consider the numerous world-class legends of the game who have represented this team. I am excited to be given this opportunity to make my contribution to the BC Rugby tradition by working with clubs, coaches, and players from across the province to produce a fun, modern, exciting, attacking style of play that will challenge and bring out the best in our players.” 

Coaching alongside Healy will be rugby legend, Phil Mack, who will be returning to the BC Bears however this time as the Assistant Coach. Mack has gone through the BC Rugby pathway playing for UVic Vikes, Thunder Rugby, BC Bears and James Bay AA. He made his debut for Canada in 2009, competing in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, two Pan American Games and the World Rugby Sevens circuit. Mack is also currently the Head Coach of the Thunder Rugby team and has been working to grow the game within the Aboriginal communities in BC. 

Assistant Coach Phil Mack expresses his enthusiasm for his appointment, “I am extremely honoured and humbled to assume a position on the BC Bears coaching staff for the 2017 season. Having gone through the BC provincial pathway, we understand the significance of having a strong BC Bears team. We plan to engage with all clubs province wide to ensure we can put British Columbia’s best foot forward. Our aim is to play an expansive, fearless style of rugby. Really looking forward to the challenge.”   

The BC Bears’ 2017 campaign will kick off on May 27 with a game against Rugby Canada Maple Leafs. In July they will face the Prairie Wolf Pack at UBC and in August they will compete in a three-game series at the Canadian Rugby Championships (CRC) in Calgary. 
 

BC Bears Competition Schedule 

May 27 – BC Bears v Rugby Canada Maple Leafs (Venue to be confirmed) 

July 16 – BC Bears v Wolf Pack (UBC) 

August 13-20 Canadian Rugby Championships three-game series (Calgary, AB) 

About the BC Bears 

The top senior men’s rugby players from across BC are selected each year to represent their province with the BC Bears. Any male player eligible to play for Canada that is residing in British Columbia is eligible for selection to the BC Bears. BC alumni who represented Canada at the 2015 Rugby World Cup include Jamie Cudmore, Nathan Hirayama, Conor Trainor and Harry Jones. 

More information about BC Rugby

The British Columbia Rugby Union, commonly known as BC Rugby, is the governing body for Rugby in British Columbia and is a Provincial Union of Rugby Canada, the national governing body. Representing over 7,500 individuals registered through around 60 Member Clubs and Associations across the Province, BC Rugby leads and manages the sport with the aim to grow participation and develop excellence in all games of Rugby and in all facets of the sport.

Web: bcrugby.com

Twitter: twitter.com/bcrugbyunion

Facebook: facebook.com/bcrugbyunion

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For further information, please contact:

BC Rugby

Cassie Xiong

Marketing & Communications Manager
cxiong@bcrugby.com

Tel: +1- 604-737-3070