Photo: Contributed

Kelowna will host some of the nation's top rugby prospects at the Western Canada Rugby Championships.

Four provincial teams will take on rival Prairie sides Friday and Sunday.

Many of Canada's top senior women's rugby players will compete in the championships at the Apple Bowl. And future prospects for Canadian Olympic, world cup, and sevens rugby teams will also compete at the U18 and U16 levels.

"We are pleased to host the Prairie sides in Kelowna this year," said Dean Murten, performance development manager for B.C. Rugby. "We look forward to some quality competitive rugby this weekend."

More than 250 athletes will compete to be the "Best in the West."

The weekend tournament features eight teams competing for a western championship. Four different B.C. provincial teams (U16 men, U18 women, U18 men and senior women) will compete twice against a rep team from the Prairies.

The schedule is as follows:

Friday, at the Apple Bowl

2:30 p.m. – B.C. U16 Men vs Prairie U16 Men

4 p.m. – B.C. U18 Women vs Prairie U18 Women

5:30 p.m. – B.C. U18 Men vs Prairie U18 Men

7 p.m. – B.C. Senior Women vs Prairie Senior Women

Sunday, at the Apple Bowl

10:30 a.m. – B.C. U18 Men vs Prairie U18 Men

Noon – B.C. Senior Women vs Prairie Senior Women

at Parkinson sportsfields

10:30 a.m. – B.C. U18 Women vs Prairie U18 Women

Noon – B.C. U16 Men vs Prairie U16 Men

"This is a great opportunity for local rugby enthusiasts to see top-level rugby in our own town," said Doug Manning, tournament organizer. "Our Canadian Women's 15s and sevens teams are ranked No. 2 in the world. Many national players will be here to represent B.C. or the Prairies. Also, on the provincial youth teams, many future stars for Canada will get a chance to shine."

All games are free of charge for the public to watch. Spectators are asked to bring donations to the food bank, which will be collected at the Apple Bowl gate.