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Multiple members of the Whistler Wolves to represent Western Canada

Four Sea to Sky rugby athletes will suit up for the Canada Rugby League Association’s East Vs. West Series in Abbotsford on Sunday
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Whistler Wolves captain Josh Michalik fights off a tackle during a match against the Vancouver Valley Vipers in Whistler.

When the Canada Rugby League Association’s East Vs. West Series kicks off on Sunday at McMillan Park in Abbotsford, the Sea to Sky will be well represented.

Four local rugby athletes—Blake Mahovich, Lewis Stockton, Tim Stanley and Josh Michalik—made the cut to represent the Western Canadian team in this year’s series.

The last—and only—time this game was held back in 2020 in Toronto, right before the COVID-19 pandemic put the world on pause, the East won the game handily. However, Blake Stewart, Whistler Wolves manager and former West team coach thinks this year it could be anyone’s match.

“This being our second time I think we are much better prepared,” said Stewart. “Obviously it helps being here because the cost to go across is quite expensive. And we are able to prepare a lot better this time. Our systems are in place, and I believe they will go better and I know the West boys are hungry because when we went over last time the East was too good, they beat us in the men’s.”

Sunday’s event in Abbotsford will feature both a Women’s game, which kicks off at 3 p.m. at McMillan Park, followed by the Men kicking at 5:30.

Rugby programs from across B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan were able to submit a list of five or six players they think are deserving of representing Western Canada in the series. Of the approximately 40 people to attend the try-out, the team was then cut down to the game-day 20, plus Whistler Wolves Peter Foley who will be joining the team as the 21st man to sub in in the case of an injury in warm up.

On the women’s side, the West won the last match up in 2020 and will be looking to make it 2-0 vs. the East.

With five representatives from the Sea to Sky set to attend the game, Stewart believes the experience will be nothing but a great thing for the growth and longevity of the local Whistler Wolves rugby program.

“It's huge. For me personally, I started the wolves as more of a social thing. That was my goal. It was just a social league for people to enjoy each other’s company and have a good time,” he said. “And if playing on Saturdays through the summer for us helps these guys get to represent their country, then that’s huge for me. It's quite cool to be honest.”

From this game, selections will be made for a Team Canada, which will travel down to Florida in November for a Canada Vs. U.S. game.

Sunday’s game will be livestreamed through Canada Rugby League’s social media platforms for anyone who would like to watch but is unable to make it to Abbotsford.