The TORA Girls Academy was created because talented, committed girls across the Thompson Okanagan deserve more opportunities to play rugby close to home. Our region stretches across many communities, and the distance between them can make consistent training, meaningful games, and development opportunities difficult to access. We want to bring athletes together, strengthen connections across the region, and help more girls see a future for themselves in the game.

Open to U14–U19 athletes, the academy supports the growth of both 15s and 7s. Each format asks players to develop different skills and ways of thinking. Through regular training and opportunities to play, athletes can build their technical skills, game understanding, confidence, and ability to work as part of a team.

Why Does the Academy Exist?

Because the opportunities available to an athlete should not depend on where she lives or how far her family can afford to travel. Interior players often have fewer chances to play 15s, develop in their positions, and be seen in competitive environments. Some have the resources to travel for additional training and games; many do not. TORA aims to narrow that gap by creating more consistent opportunities within the region and working toward meaningful competition beyond it.

Supporting School and Club Rugby

The academy is a voluntary program outside of school and club rugby. It runs at a different time of year from school rugby and is planned to complement local club seasons. Athletes remain part of their school and club teams. With the support of local clubs across the Thompson Okanagan, we want the skills, confidence, and enthusiasm players gain at TORA to flow back into the teams and communities where they play.

Development Beyond the Game

Development means more to us than preparing athletes for the next level. We want new players to feel welcome, experienced players to be challenged, and every girl to have space to learn without being defined by a single game or selection. Rugby offers friendships, leadership, resilience, and a sense of belonging that can last long after an athlete’s final season.

Our hope is to build a regional pathway that grows with its athletes and communities. Some girls may pursue provincial, national, or university rugby. Others may become coaches, referees, volunteers, or lifelong club players. All of those futures matter. If TORA helps more girls stay in rugby, love the game, and believe they belong in it, the academy will be doing what it was built to do.

The academy runs from December 2026 through April 2027 in Vernon, with Sunday training from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Vernon Indoor or Greater Vernon Athletic Park. Some sessions may run until 2:30 p.m.

Weekly sessions provide consistent opportunities to develop 15s and 7s skills and build connections with teammates across the region. Intersquad play days allow athletes to try positions and apply their skills in a game setting.

We are planning three games against Lower Mainland teams in the Lower Mainland and one game in Kelowna between January and March, on Sundays. These games are intended to offer meaningful competition and more experience playing 15s. Dates, locations and opponents will be shared when confirmed.

The total cost of the five-month Girls Academy program is $600 per athlete.

What's Included?

• Weekly Sunday rugby development sessions
• 15s positional development and game understanding
• Additional 7s development
• Intersquad play days
• Winter indoor training facilities
• Guest-coaching opportunities
• Academy kit
• Team bus transportation for three planned Lower Mainland game trips
• A planned game day in Kelowna
• Access to weightlifting and training programs
• Guidance and coaching contacts for university, club and international rugby opportunities

The fee also supports the volunteers who help run the academy.

Register by November 15 to be included in the first academy kit order. We expect kits for athletes registered by that date to be ready at the beginning of January.

Registration remains open after November 15, but kit for later registrations may arrive later. Sign up early to allow time for correct sizing and ordering.