The Port Alberni Black Sheep Rugby Club is ready for the start of the 2025-26 season after a whirlwind tour of Australia earlier this year.
The Div. 1 men's team spent a total of 19 days in Australia this July for the British & Irish Lions tour. The British & Irish Lions, a team made up of players representing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, plays a series every four years, rotating between the countries of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
During their time in Australia, the Black Sheep had a chance to play five games against smaller clubs from Australia and the British Isles. But they also had a chance to watch some "high-level" rugby action, said the club's head coach Jas Purewal.
"Seeing that level of love for rugby was overwhelming," Purewal said.
He described stadium