At Bayside, our Clubhouse has always been a place where people come together—players, families, supporters, and friends. But since it was built, there was one small challenge that made those gatherings a little louder than intended. The acoustics weren’t quite on our side, and echoes made even simple conversations in larger groups a bit of a challenge.

Like everything at Bayside, the solution didn’t come from one person—it came from a team.

The process started when Blackie brought in a friend from the Blue Frog Sound Studio to share some expert advice. From there, Andrew Fiddis and Charlie Smeenk worked together to explore practical solutions that would fit the space and the club’s budget.

Last summer, Charlie took the lead in building the first set of 16 sound baffles. With help from Daryl McRae and Brandon Bloomfield, they were installed in the Clubhouse, making an immediate and noticeable difference. Conversations became easier, and the space felt more comfortable—but there was still a bit of echo hanging around.

Not ones to settle for “good enough,” the team decided to go one step further.

That’s where the next layer of collaboration came in. Brandon Bloomfield brought the project into the classroom, engaging the Grandview Secondary Trades Exploration class to build an additional 16 baffles. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience while contributing to a real community project—exactly the kind of connection Bayside is proud to be part of.

Most recently, those final 16 baffles were installed by Charlie and Andrea Smeenk, working (bravely) from scaffolding supplied by Sully. Their efforts have truly completed the project and transformed the space.

The result? A Clubhouse where you can now actually hear the person next to you—without feeling like you’re at a rock concert in a metal drum. The difference is remarkable, and it’s something everyone who walks through the doors can appreciate.

More importantly, this project is a perfect example of what makes Bayside special. It brought together club members, local experts, teachers, students, and volunteers—all contributing their time, skills, and energy. It’s not just about fixing sound; it’s about building something bigger together.

To everyone involved—Blackie, the Blue Frog team, Andrew Fiddis, Charlie, Andrea & Connor Smeenk, Daryl McRae, Brandon Bloomfield, the Grandview Secondary students, and Sully

Thank you.

Try Rugby Day is designed for kids and youth who want to:

• Learn the basics of rugby
• Take part in fun games and skills sessions
• Meet new teammates and coaches
• Experience the club atmosphere
• Enjoy being active outdoors

Our qualified coaches focus on safety, inclusion, and fun, helping every participant feel comfortable while learning new skills.

🌟 Why Rugby? Why Sport?

Sport plays a powerful role in young people’s lives. Rugby in particular helps boys and girls grow both on and off the field.

💪 Physical Benefits

• Improves fitness, strength, and coordination
• Builds speed, agility, and balance
• Encourages healthy habits and an active lifestyle
• Develops motor skills through running, passing, and teamwork

🧠 Mental Toughness & Confidence

• Builds resilience and determination
• Teaches goal-setting and perseverance
• Boosts self-esteem and self-belief
• Helps kids handle challenges and pressure positively

🤝 Friendship & Social Skills

• Make new friends and feel part of a team
• Learn communication and cooperation
• Develop leadership and respect for others
• Experience belonging in a supportive community

⚖️ Life Skills That Last

• Discipline and commitment
• Sportsmanship and fair play
• Responsibility and teamwork
• Respect for teammates, opponents, and officials

Rugby welcomes boys and girls of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. Whether your child is trying sport for the first time or already loves being active, Try Rugby Day offers a chance to explore something new in a positive, inclusive setting.

Our programs emphasize:

• Safe, age-appropriate training
• Skill development at every level
• Fun and enjoyment first
• Confidence-building coaching

The first half of the season has been a huge success! Our Mini Rugby program (U6-U12) focused on fun, skill development, and instilling rugby's core values.

• U6 & U10 (Tag): Incredible progress in running into space and listening skills. Energy has been infectious!

•  U12 (Contact): Excellent commitment to safe, controlled tackling and the successful introduction of breakdown skills like rucks and scrums.

• Jamborees: Our players shone at the recent Mini Festivals, showing marked improvement in passing out of contact and support play across all age groups.

A massive thank you to our tireless Coaches, Team Managers, and the dedicated Parents who provide positive support every Saturday.

We hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved break and Training Resumes: Thursday, March 5th, 2026.

Fins up, Kaj

Our Junior Girls have just completed another fun and successful season of rugby at Bayside. We fielded teams at all three age grades, starting with 7s in Sept, leading up to a fun weekend tournament in Kamloops. We then moved into our primary season of 15-a-side rugby.

Our U14 squad (coached by Sarah Duncan and Emily Empey) joined up with a Barbarian team of other clubs and competed jamboree style against Langley and Abbotsford. The development of the players and the group was remarkable from beginning to end. We are very proud of these young players and look forward to seeing them back out on the pitch next year as U16S!

The U16 girls (coached by Rocky Smith and Fiona Dunning) concluded their season with a win over Abbotsford and finished 3rd in the region. The grit and determination shown by the team were remarkable, and several girls proved themselves worthy of an invitation to join our U18 girls tour to Italy in March.

Our U18 group (coached by Adam Van Staveren, Jill Tataryn and Colin Blair) was largely made up of players in their final season of junior rugby, with a number having played at Bayside for 7+ years. With some help from our friends at Brit Lions and Richmond RFC, the girls played hard-fought games, finishing the season 4th in the region.

While the BCRU season is at an end, the older girls will be starting practices in January to prepare for our 2026 tour of Italy. With stops in Rome, Florence and Venice, it promises to be an amazing experience for all involved. Stay tuned for sponsorship and fundraiser opportunities to support these girls!.

A huge thanks to all the coaches, staff, parents and players that made this season such a great success!

Fins Up!
Dave

Bayside Sharks Junior Boys Rugby Update

Junior boys rugby at Bayside continues to thrive, with over 140 players competing across five teams—a fantastic sign of the program’s growth and depth.

Our U18 Blue squad battled hard all season and, despite falling short in the mainland final, can be proud of a disciplined and determined campaign. The U16 Blue team also impressed, finishing third in their division and closing the season with a decisive win over the Ravens.

Equally exciting, players in the U16 and U18 Gold squads, along with the U14 boys, showed huge improvements in development and growth this season. Their skills, confidence, and understanding of the game have all taken significant leaps, reflecting the dedication of both the athletes and their coaches.

A huge thank-you to all team coaches for guiding our young players through another successful year of Bayside rugby, and to the academy coaches for their dedication in developing player skills.

Looking ahead, U14 boys are invited to join the spring season—bring your friends and let your coaches know you’re ready to play! We can’t wait to see players back on the pitch throughout the school season.

Up the Sharks!
Jen

Bayside Sharks Senior Women’s Update

The Bayside Sharks Senior Women’s program is moving with purpose this season, driven by growth, commitment, and belief in what this group can achieve.

Coaching & Preseason
This offseason we strengthened our leadership by adding Assistant Coach Liam Beaulieu alongside Coach Rob Verrelli. Preseason kicked off in early August with a strong mix of returning and new players, resulting in two solid preseason wins.

Regular Season
The season started with challenges, but the team responded with resilience—growing, adjusting, and backing each other. That effort has paid off, and we head into the break with a 4–2 record and strong momentum. Captains Jill Tataryn and Danica Foster continue to set the tone through leadership and team-first commitment.

Culture & Identity
The team has embraced three core principles: Grit, Positivity, and Respect. These values are shaping a cohesive, confident group ready for the second half of the season.

Building Over the Break
The team will stay sharp with training sessions at Kea Athletics. Meanwhile, the club is exploring two exciting opportunities:

• A Second Senior Women’s Team
• Expansion of our Overseas Player Development Program

Looking Ahead
The Sharks are building something real. With momentum on their side, they’re not just ready to compete—they’re ready to rise.

Up the Sharks!, Britt

The first half of the season has been a huge success, positioning us perfectly for the playoff push in the new year.

• Division 1: Strong start with 6 Wins and 2 Losses, securing second place in the Mainland Division and fifth overall.

• Division 3: Currently sitting in first place with 7 Wins and 2 Losses. Crucially, the team earned three valuable losing bonus points that will be key for playoff seeding.

• Registration has been solid with 70 Senior Men signed up. With high numbers (45-48 at recent Thursday sessions), competition for team places will be intense in the second half.

• Holiday Training: Continues once per week throughout December (Thurs 11th & 18th, Tues 23rd & 30th) from 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM.

• Full Training Resumes: Twice per week on Jan 6th and Jan 8th, 2026.

A big thank you to our coaches, Jared, Taylor, and Jesse, and our "Team Mum", Fiona, for their hard work. We are heading in the right direction in our push back to the Premier Division. To support this goal, we need the help of more sponsors and volunteers to enable us to recruit elite players. Please consider supporting our Premier Division push!

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a Joyful New Year.

Up the Sharks!, Matt

Another thoroughly successful half-season is in the books. It started auspiciously with a fantastically well-organized season-opening tournament that the SOBs used as a guide that this could be our season. It catalyzed a new attitude to preparation, and for the first time in several years, the SOBs now actually train for the games, expertly (and patiently) coached by Nathalie King.

The refreshed ambition in the group was reflected in the decision to take a full squad out to the Muddy Misfits Tournament in Montreal. We toured expertly, placing ourselves exactly where we wanted to maximize the rugby playing pleasure and social experiences.

With the global pinnacle of Masters Rugby, the Golden Oldies Tournament arriving in Vancouver in 2027, we have three more half-seasons to build our squad. If you are 36 or older and want the camaraderie of a rugby team to warmly welcome you and remind you weekly of your more evident flaws, then contact the club and join us for weekly (year-round) touch rugby on Thursdays.