News

Japanese Over-60 Side to Play in Kelowna

Date: January 31, 2013

Kelowna has hosted a number of great rugby events in the past.  None will be as unique as the May 10 game at the Apple Bowl when the Wak Sun all-star side from Japan will play the Priest Valley Vicars.  The Japanese team features four purple shorts (Over-80), 16 gold shorts (Over-70), 18 red shorts (Over-60) and one youngster wearing black shorts (Over-50).  This "super-senior touring team" features players from various O40 clubs in Japan, including Fuwaku (Tokyo), Gifuwaku (Gifu), Touwaku (Nagoya), Wakusen (Hiroshima), and the Wak Waks from Osaka. 

The team arrives in Kelowna on May 8th and will enjoy three days in the Okanagan.  The Wak Sun RFC vs PV Vicars game will be played on May 10th at the Apple Bowl.  The team continues with their tour on May 11. 

The Vicars have solicited the help of the Saratoga Beach RFC from Comox to assemble an O60 side to play the Wak Sun side.  In addition, O60 players who participated in the 2009 Vicars tour of Japan will also be given the opportunity to play in this historic game.  The Vicars will also be hosting a Vicars Reunion on May 10th and 11th.

"We are honored that an Over-60 team of this calibre has chosen Kelowna as one of the stops on their North American tour," said Clare Cassan, President of the Vicars.  "We hope to make Kelowna the most memorable experience for the travellers."

The Vicars organizing committee is still finalizing other events that may be part of the May 10th game day.  These could include demonstration games of youth sevens and touch rugby. 

For information about the Wak Sun vs PV Vicars game, contact Karen Alexander (karenlalexander@yahoo.ca).