The roster for B.C.’s Elite Youth Sevens rugby squad – which travels to Las Vegas next month – was announced Wednesday, and the list is chock-full of Surrey and White Rock talent.
In total, 37 under-18 players from across the province were named to the roster, which will be split into three teams, all of which will compete at the Las Vegas Invitationals Seven tournament Feb. 9-11.
Among the chosen 37 are Bobby Devaney (Bayside Sharks/Earl Marriott Secondary), Robert Jones (Bayside/Lord Tweedsmuir), Joey Kenville (Bayside/Earl Marriott), Alex Klassen (Bayside/Semiahmoo), Ian McMaster (Bayside/Earl Marriott), Quinton Willms (Bayside/Earl Marriott) and Luke Zandbergen (Surrey Beavers/Lord Tweedsmuir).
Many among the Surrey and White Rock contingent are no stranger to the Vegas Sevens event; Willms, McMaster, Kenville, Devaney and Jones were all members of Team BC at last year’s event.
“It’s going to be sweet – I’m really stoked about it,” Devaney said.
“The first time, we didn’t quite know what to expect, but now we do, and we’re going there to win. If we don’t win, we’ll be pretty upset.”
“I think we have a pretty good chance,” added McMaster.
In Vegas, Team BC will be up against some fairly stiff American competition, with many teams holding a distinct size advantage. To have success, Devaney said, his side will have to play to its strengths – namely speed and skill.
“We’re not the biggest team, but we have a lot of skill, and a great coach in Shane Thompson, who has really taught us how to play defence,” he said.
Like in 2011, the Las Vegas Invitational runs concurrently with the USA Sevens event, which features some of the top sevens teams from across the world.
Canada’s roster for the USA Sevens has yet to be announced, but last year featured Bayside Sharks and Earl Marriott alum Keaton Styles.