Burnaby Lake Rugby Club's defensive coach Jim Dixon was named the head coach of the B.C. senior men's provincial team.
Dixon, originally from New Zealand, helped Burnaby Lake reach the finals of both the premier men's division and the Div. 1. He brings more than 12 years of experience in sports development and professional rugby coaching.
"The B.C. Bears are in good hands with Jim Dixon leading the program in 2013," Rugby Canada manager of coaching development Dustin Hopkins said in a B.C. Rugby release.
The national season kicks off against the Prairie Wolf Pack on Aug. 10 at the University of British Columbia's Wolfson Field.
The Bears will play five games in the championship - a key stepping stone to selection for Canada's national team program.
