Cranbrook's Conor Sinclair is set to represent B.C. Rugby's U-16 squad at the Las Vegas Invitational -- a rugby sevens tournament Feb. 12 to 14.
Sinclair, 15, travelled to Vancouver Island for a four-hour trial Oct. 25, 2014, -- the only opportunity the Cranbrook rugby player had to showcase his talents.
B.C. Rugby held more than eight trials with more than 40 athletes. All trials were held on Vancouver Island and in the Lower Mainland. The Oct. 25 date was the only initial trial Sinclair was able to attend due to the travel.
From those trials, 24 rugby players were brought to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver for a three-day trial Jan. 2 to 4. Out of that group, 12 athletes were chosen to represent B.C. Rugby on the U-16 squad, with Sinclair being named to the team Jan. 19.
Sinclair is the only athlete east of Chilliwack to be named to the B.C. Rugby U-16 squad.
The Las Vegas International rugby sevens tournament runs alongside the USA Sevens International Rugby Tournament, which features men's national teams from Australia, Canada, England, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.
Sinclair and his teammates will have the opportunity to take in world class sevens rugby during their time in Las Vegas.
Sevens rugby is a variation of traditional rugby, with teams comprised of seven players a side, rather than the traditional 15-player sides. Matches are also shorter than in traditional rugby.
Rugby sevens has been recognized as an Olympic sport and will debut at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.