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Pacific Pride News

October 03 2005

posted Oct 3 2005

BC Rugby News learned that John MacMillan has resigned from the position of Pacific Pride coach. His resignation was accepted by Martin Gallagher on behalf of the Rugby Canada board.

The path of the Pacific Pride has been tumultuous since Martin Gallagher took over as the Director of Rugby for Rugby Canada. The program was cancelled on May 26th of this year despite providing the national team with a large percentage of its current crop of players. Many people were dismayed at the decision and the public outcry spurred Rugby Canada to re-introduce the Pacific Pride as an U21 program starting in January 2006. There was speculation on how the U21 program would function, with Tony Medina the existing head coach of the U21 team and John MacMillan the head coach of the proposed U21 development program.

It's ironic that the main development program for Canadian rugby has been set in turmoil at the same time the IRB is making great overtures about pumping $3.3 million into the development of Canadian rugby over the next three years. It seems most of the money is being spent on high level competitions for elite athletes with the hope of sparking interest amongst the great unwashed, the sports starved North American consumer. The thinking seems to be, throw money at high level rugby competition in Canada and the USA, the consumer sports addict contentedly munching on a daily diet of football, baseball and hockey will look up, say wow this is much better and rush, money clenched in fist, over to rugbyville. The media giants noticing this movement will rush over with their wheelbarrows of cash and the rest is history. That is the IRB/RFU view of North American consumerism, how colonial you say...exactly.

The real worry is that after three years of grandiose plans and spending, the IRB/RFU braintrust will shrug their shoulders, declare the plan a bust, find a local scapegoat, and move on. Martin Gallagher will return to England and on to another RFU assignment. Canadian rugby will be looking around for coaches and rugby minds the calibre of John MacMillan...let's hope we haven't sent them all packing by that time.



posted June 25 2005

Roger Smith
President
Rugby Canada

This Email is in regard to the RC decision to cease funding and support of the Pacific Pride development program centered in Victoria.

As a long time participant in all aspects of Rugby in Canada I am dismayed and disgusted in the decision and the manner in which it was made to cancel the Pacific Pride program.

To give you a perspective on why I am dismayed and disgusted in your actions I bring to your attention the following: I started playing Rugby 50 years ago at Victoria High School, played for Uvic, JBAA, Velox, Crimson Tide and laterally for the old boys over 40 Ebb Tide. I along with my JBAA colleagues Sonny Vickery,Ed Kubek' George Jones, Bob Coutts, Tillman Briggs and others recognized the need for the development of young players to ensure the survival of Rugby. In the 1960's, without the support of any national body charged with "development of players", we coached, managed, fund raised and supported young players 14 to18, many of them graduates of Bantam and Juvenile Canadian Football. Our efforts were successful in that many of these former players are still active in all aspects of Rugby to-day.

I have travelled to Wales to watch the 1999 WRC and Australia in 2003 to support Team Canada in the WRC. As a result I feel that I have contributed to the coffers of the IRB and as a consequence expect that funds would be forthcoming to Canada for the development of Rugby in Canada, by Canadians for Canadians.
Am I dreaming?

I have also had the pleasure of travelling with the Pacific Pride in it's development tours to Germany and Chile. One of the highlights of the tour to Germany was the Pride victory over the German National Team. The Pacific Pride players did Canada proud both on and off the field on that occasion and I was honoured to be with them.

Because of my experiences I believe the RC decision to withdraw support form the Pacific Pride program in such a summary manner is ill conceived and indefensible. I have not heard of any well reasoned factual information why RC made such an abrupt decision without consultation of the affected coaches, players and staff as well as the support group in Victoria.

I am especially disenchanted with what seems to me to be a bureaucratic structure at the national level in that funding seems to be devoted to staff to administer a non existent rugby program.

Why are we importing people from the IRB to tell us what we should be doing for Rugby in Canada? Canada is not Ireland, Wales or England. Canada is a geographically large country with varied climatic conditions which mitigate against any lengthly season except in SW British Columbia. How much funding is Rugby Canada receiving form the IRB? Are there any strings attached? What is our IRB representative doing to extract additional funding for Canada?

In my view it is ironic that members of the Board of Rugby Canada promoted themselves as the "agents of change", your recent decision lends itself to the more appropriate title "agents of shame".

I trust that Rugby Canada will reconsider it's shameful decision to close the Pacific Pride program for 2005.

Adam Ustik
Victoria, B.C.

More letters of support for the Pacific Pride program from Greg Mosgrove, Aiden Buan and Linda Mills

From:Greg Mosgrove
posted June 16 2005

Dear Rugby Canada,

As one of the inaugral members of the CCSD under David Clark I have been following the CCSD/Pride as long as anyone else has been. I'm amazed that even with the success of the program in feeding the Senior Men's Team you have decided to cancel this program. From my two years of the program the following players have either been capped for the XV's or VII's side:

Danny Baugh
John Tait
Jon Theil
Colin Robertson
Morgan Williams
Sean Fauth
Nik Witkowski
Kyle Nichols
Mark Irvine
Ken Goodland
Garth Cooke
Simon Pacey
Adam Marshall
Phil Murphy
Jeff Williams
Adam Van Staveren

These guys are all incredible athletes, but many of them probably would not have made it to the full National Team without the opportunity to play for the Pride. David Clark was an incredible coach. He instilled a level of professionalism in the players that is an absolute requirement in order to take your play to the next level. Players who never paid attention to training off the rugby pitch suddenly made physical transformations to their bodies that allowed them to play against the best in the world. The skills that you learn by being coached by the best coaches in Canada who can dedicate 100% of their time to developing you as a rugby player are vital. Having gone back to playing both club and Super League rugby the coaching, professionalism, and intensity is so much lower. I felt a void in those areas when I left the Pride. No where else in the country can you get such a high level of coaching and training as you can with the Pride. Without the Pride our young stars will remain with their club teams (which will benefit the clubs), but the players will not be challenged and pushed the way that only the Pride can.

I personally look back at the Pride as a great rugby experience for me. Unfortunately injury has hampered my ability to play at the highest level, but if I hadn't been injured the Pride would have greatly benefited me in my drive to play International rugby.

It is a shame that Rugby Canada has decided to pull the plug on this program. The Senior Mens XV's and VII's will suffer from this in the years to come as the crop of young players comes through without the development that the Pride has to offer.

I urge you to reconsider your decision to cancel the Pride program, the Senior Mens Teams will suffer, as will the athlete's who would benefit from a wonderful program.

Greg Mosgrove, CFA
Revenue Initiatives Manager
Finance Dept.
MBNA Canada Bank


From Aiden Buan
posted June 16 2005

To whom it may concern,

As a Pride graduate I was shocked and dissapointed to see the program end in the way it did. To cancel the program in such a disrespectful and thoughtless way, without explanation is a slap in the face of those with ties to the program. I won't pretend to know every reason for the dissolution of the program, and I am sure there are some reasons that the board will point to, I do know however that there are hundreds of reasons both big and small to continue the program. Every player who I played with, as well as all current and past participants at the Pride share something that is hard to find in our countries rugby landscape.....high level rugby all the time with total focus on reaching the next level.

What about the work of Clark, Hubby, Macmillan, and all the others who took the program to the levels it achieved. I don't think that time and commitment should be cast aside to the scrap heap. Rugby in Canada needs the Pacific Pride program, without it we are taking away oppurtunities for players, coaches, and the youth who aspire to make the team.

Sincerely.

Aidan Buan

From Linda Mills
posted June 16 2005

I for one do not support the choices that where made to cut the Pacific Pride Program... Not acceptable. Why on earth would someone outside of BC have the right to have a say in what works and what doesn't for BC? I love to go on Sat. afternoons all over Victoria and watch these amazing athletes perform with all they've got. Those guys play with their hearts and souls. RUGBY is a CANADIAN Game as well as the rest of the world. Let the boys Play. Hundreds of people of all ages come out to watch these games. I for one think it is the best $5 I spend :] The games are priceless.

CANADA has excellent players and differently have the potential of producing top notch athletes that would be proud to represent it's country. Pacific Pride was well on it's way in doing so. What gives? Why cut the funding. These guys are not out on the streets causing trouble. Not in Bars or Jail. They are playing Rugby.

I encourage those few that cut the Funding to Pacific Pride to put the funding back.. Those Guys were awesome. If Pacific Pride is a start with the funding cuts for Rugby, where does it end? Canada definitely has the skill in all levels to produce the best in the world. No Man should be allowed to stand in the way of that. Sports rule.

cheers Mates
Linda Mills

Ken Goodland adds his letter of support to the Pacific Pride program

posted June 13 2005

Dear Rugby Canada,

I am writing this letter with hesitation because I know there is enough negativity surrounding our great game right now and I am reluctant to add to it. However I have to express concern with the decision to suspend the Pacific Pride program because it has been something that has affected not only my rugby career, but my life. I realize difficult and unpopular decisions sometimes have to be made to maybe improve certain situations down the road, but this decision was, it seems, much too unpopular. We all wish there were some bottomless bag of money you could carry around and dip in to anytime something needed to be fixed but unfortunately there isn't. And if this is about money it would seem there is enough support, energy, and devotion around to come up with the resources to accommodate this specific financial problem. If it isn't about money then I wonder what it is about.

When I got a call in June of 1996 asking me to be a part of what was then called the CCSD, I was over the moon. Here was a program that allowed me to not only concentrate on rugby, but help me grow as a person with new friends in a new surrounding. Friends that I will no doubt have for life. I was afforded the chance to travel to places I never thought I would get, Fiji, Malaysia, and Australia to name the big ones. And I was able to accomplish things many thought were improbable and make a lot of people in my life very proud of me. Because after all I'm just a smart ass from the Rock. So you see, the Pacific Pride program is not just about the rugby or the training or the gear. It's about growth and improving yourself and making good on an opportunity that few will ever get. To take that opportunity away from future smart asses would be a tragedy and something I hope you seriously reconsider at your next meeting.

Sincerely
Ken Goodland



submitted by Sandi Walmsley
posted on June 10 2005

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Pacific Sport, Ken Shields, Roger Skillings and his staff for their support over the last nine years. I would also like to thank all the Pacific Pride/CCSD supporters, rugby clubs and sponsors for their support.

While with the program, I had the privilege of working with the DP and Mr. Happy, two of the most dedicated, loyal, committed and possessed people I’ve ever known, who have also become two of my many close friends in life.

Most important of all I have had the privilege of serving 100+ nose-picks who gave this fat old man the greatest 9 years of his life…I will always remember each and every one of you. As in our history in Canadian amateur sports the hobbyists and bureaucrats have gotten in the way of the professionals and prevented our program from continuing.

Baggage master, manager, master of the hub down, Huddy, Huddy, Hubby…

September 1, 1996-June 9, 2005, Telephone: 1.250.386.0708

Together and Strong!

“When something that has been created over time by so many people with commitment, hard work, planning, passion and care is then destroyed so easily by a few who do not care but only wish to control, it’s shameful.”

Quote by
Dr. James Hubbard

$$$$$$$ IRB controllers of the Agents of Shame, Buckley (mb@atlanticsport.ie), Gallagher (mgallagher@rugbycanada.ca) and Lefevre (clefevre@rugbycanada.ca)

The Agents of Shame

President, Roger Smith (rsmith@rugbycanada.ca), Hans de Goede hdegoede@rugbycanada.ca, Chris LeFevre clefevre@rugbycanada.ca, Rick Powers rpowers@rugbycanada.ca, Jay Johnston jjohnston@rugbycanada.ca, Pat Parfrey pparfrey@rugbycanada.ca, Heather Wilson-Banks hwilson@rugbycanada.ca, Rick Bourne rbourne@rugbycanada.ca, Pearse Higgins phiggins@rugbycanada.ca, Ray Hoemsen rhoemsen@rugbycanada.ca, Colette McAuley cmcauley@rugbycanada.ca, Aaron Abrams aabrams@rugbycanada.ca



submitted by Paul Horne
posted June 6 2005

I feel a strong sense of frustration, confusion and anger at the decision, or at whoever made the decision, to discontinue the Pacific Pride program. It is, in my opinion as a former National U 19, U 21 and U 23 level coach, the worst thing that has happened to the game in Canada in over a decade.

It was, without a doubt the best thing to happen to rugby in Canada, when Rugby Canada had the vision to hire David Clark to model the program after the Australian Institute of Sport. Outside of the sevens program, it has been the only program that Rugby Canada offered. Canada finally had an academy that identified the best 30 players in the country and brought them together for an intensive rugby experience. This made it different than all the other teams in the past that were brought together for a weeks practice and then sent off for a 2-3 week tour only to return to Canada and never play together again. With the formation of the Pride program, money was being well spent and the results were impressive. One only has to look at the roster of our NSMT and the National 7's squads to see how many capped players got their start with the Pride. It is shocking to read that it is now history or put on the shelf.

It was with great pride that I watched our National team do so well at the US Sevens in Los Angeles this past February. I sat with a number of USARFU coaches as Canada advanced to win the Bowl Championship. The skill level was of the highest order. The discussion that took place was one of envy as I informed everyone that ten of the twelve players on the roster were products of the Pride program. "If only the US had such a program like Canada", one notable US coach commented. I am sure they will all be wondering what is going on in Canada when they get wind of this fiasco. What is the rationale in canceling the single most successful program in the short history of Rugby Canada? This is a travesty that must be reversed before the Pride is gone forever!

posted June 4 2005
submitted by Ben Buan

Gentlemen,

I write to urge you to act quickly to mend the serious tear in the fabric of rugby in Canada that you have caused by the clumsy manner in which you have handled the decision to suspend the Pacific Pride program. That this decision came on the heels of the dismissal of Rick Farrally as manager and the resignation of Rod Holloway as coach of the Seven's squad, only serves to increase the tension and suspicion in the rugby community that all is not well in the corridors of power at Rugby Canada.

I am not going to comment on the merits of the decision. However, I shall comment on the shocking ineptitude you have demonstrated as a Board of Directors in both the manner and the content of the communication of your decision.

I spoke with John MacMillan yesterday. He informed me he had yet to have any of his many calls returned by any member of the Rugby Canada Board of Directors. Nor has he had a response to a written communication directed to Graham Brown asking for more information regarding the decision. John told me he knows no more about the rationale for the decision than what is contained in the press release that was posted on the Rugby Canada website.

This is inexcusable. John MacMillan has been an integral part of the Pacific Pride program for 8 years. He has played a significant role in the development of many of Canada's top players over that period. He was, up until just over a week ago, under the impression his work was valued by the Rugby Canada Board. Surely he is owed the courtesy of a comprehensive explanation of the RC Board's rationale for its decision. Surely he is owed the courtesy of a face to face meeting in which he is able to ask frank and open questions about his future and to receive honest answers.

This is not the first time I have been puzzled at the inability of Rugby Canada to meet even the most modest standards of effective communication to its membership and its supporters. This time it strikes close to home since I was able to see the benefits the program provide to a host of young men during the two seasons my son was a member of the team. The entire Pacific Pride alumni deserve better than to see the program suspended in such a ham-handed manner and to see a man they respect treated so shabbily. The pain that decision has caused is obvious in the letter Chris May has posted and he deserves to have his questions answered directly and publicly.

There may well be compelling reasons why the decision you have made was the right one. We are left only to guess at what they might be, and this creates a thoroughly unhealthy environment as an information vacuum is soon filled with innuendo, rumour, and suspicion and you will find it hard to regain the trust of people the longer you fail to fill it with facts.

There is no excuse for not sharing your rationale with your major stakeholders. There is no excuse for not treating John MacMillan in a more professional manner. The decision has caused much anguish amongst your constituents. Unless you can show them why they should have hope for a replacement program to deliver the benefits that it is obvious the Pride program produced, then support from a large segment of the rugby community will continue to bleed away. This is support that you need if you are to succeed in improving the game in Canada.

I encourage you to act quickly to repair the damage you have caused.

Ben Buan

submitted by Dave Ramsay
posted June 4 2005

I agree with and support Chris 100%. As of the latest long list ( jan 05 ) 29 out of the 45 top ranked players on the Senior Men's Team have come out of our program. Where or who else is going to develop these players? The Super League has given us 2 token misplaced aussies for the 03 World Cup. The Academy? C'mon. There had to have been another way the board could have gone about this. If not, why don't they tell us straight up?

Proud Pacific Pride Allumni
Dave Ramsay



[ed. earlier I had posted the inside scoop on the Pacific Pride future from those close to the Pride program. They thought they had the boards approval and thought it was a done deal to continue the program next year under a revised curriculum. Now this news comes as a blow to the gut, no doubt issued from the Ontario headquarters of Rugby Canada. There was no consultation with the Pride it was a unilateral decision, no doubt, initiated by those in Toronto with ties to the english money that is now running rugby in Canada. Where were the Pride defenders on the board, Hans de Goede, Pat Parfrey, and the player reps like Aaron Abrams. Surely they must have been involved and talked on behalf of the Pride. How much did the paid staff of Graham Brown CEO and Martin Gallagher, Director of Rugby influence this decision. I understand John MacMillan was just notified yesterday of the decision. Another example of poor communicating, poor decision making and lack of understanding by those sitting behind desks in Rugby Canada headquarters. Hopefully there will be more dialogue on this, to get some insight on the process and what alternatives are in place for elite athletes]

A Rugby Canada Press Release
May 26, 2005
Issued from: Toronto, ON

The Rugby Canada Board of Directors have announced their decision to put the operations of the Pacific Pride National Rugby Centre on hold for a period of one year – the 2005/2006 season. Rugby Canada will be reviewing the elite residential program concept in the coming year to determine the best fit given Rugby Canada’s strategic vision, financial capacity for an elite residential program and the most beneficial structure for an elite residential program in the future.

This decision was not taken lightly, however given the following factors the Rugby Canada Board of Directors came to the conclusion that the one year hiatus of the program was the proper course of action:

1. The loss of funding support from PacificSport for the 2005/2006 season.
2. Rugby Canada’s new strategic plan, which focuses on the development of a High Performance Program being funded, operated and controlled by Rugby Canada.
3. The mandate from the International Rugby Board, that if Rugby Canada is to be provided with additional funding for development that it be focused on the High Performance development of the Senior Men’s Program and that Rugby Canada control the High Performance program in order to control it’s future viability and expansion over time to all levels of elite programming.

Roger Smith, Rugby Canada’s President said, “We truly appreciate the partnership which we have had with PacificSport Victoria over the years and it has been a very difficult process in coming to the decision to place the Pacific Pride National Rugby Centre on hold for the year. However, in the end we have had to consider the program within the context of the new strategic direction of Rugby Canada and how the program interacts and impacts with the overall operation of Rugby Canada. Given all of these considerations and after vigorous debate it was agreed by the Board of Directors that this was the best decision for Rugby Canada as a whole for the coming year.”

Since its inception in 1996 the National Rugby Centre program has exposed over 100 of Canada’s top Under 23 Men’s rugby players to elite standards of competition, coaching, fitness training, and personal development in an intensive two year residential setting, and has providing over 50 players to the National 15’s and 7’s Teams.

Rugby Canada and its Board of Directors will be reviewing options for the future of the elite residential program over the course of the next several months. Their findings and decisions will be announced upon completion of that review process.



Victoria May 4, 2005
by Robin Dyke

With the completion of a noteworthy tour of Ontario and Quebec, the Young Canada Pride development program brought an otherwise challenging year to a very satisfying finish and established an active presence for the program in the east.

An intense tour of five matches and unprecedented fifty skill development clinics was what the Pacific Pride or rather Young Canada as the squad is known by scheduled for the last two weeks of April. This involved stops in Montreal, Ottawa, Peterborough, Oakville, Brampton and Toronto for the 29 players who represented nine provinces. A grueling schedule by any means but one on which Young Canada thrived and grew stronger as the tour progressed.

At the outset of the tour, Program Manager and Head Coach John MacMillan commented, “We have bitten off quite a challenge for ourselves but expect to put on more than just a show. We will showcase an exceptional group of athletes and hopefully inspire an increased interest in rugby as well as provide a stimulus of skill development at the grass roots level of the sport”. MacMillan’s intentions were well founded as all along the tour Young Canada was praised for their enthusiasm, high level and exciting play and dedication to the game.

Coach MacMillan was very pleased with his young charges showing on the field and in putting on their clinics, “They were all expected and more. They played big and they taught well. They inspired and left a very important and positive impression wherever we visited”.

Young Canada won four out of five of their matches and ran 50 highly successful 2-hour clinics for high school and rugby club programs that involved 2000 participants. To self-fund this tour Young Canada raised $75,000.

High school coaches were exceedingly complementary on the player run clinics. Typical was the comment, ‘the young men brought a positive, energetic approach to a group of keen newcomers to rugby. The upbeat, social attitude was as important as the skills that were taught in hooking the young people on the game’. A Rugby Canada staff member involved in one of the club clinics was typical of appreciation at that level, praising the Young Canada program ‘for reaching out to the community and helping grow our sport during their tour’.

Canadian rugby legend and international icon Al Charron congratulated Coach MacMillan and Young Canada for their enterprise in initiating the clinics as a feature of the tour, “I think this year’s tour is an excellent undertaking by the players and staff in giving back to the rugby community and they should be applauded for it”. On the fact that Young Canada had come east rather than an overseas location Charron continued, “Hopefully the players will also enjoy themselves by seeing areas of our country that in their still young life they might not have yet seen which is as important as touring and broadening your horizons abroad. Furthermore it is a chance for those that hail from Quebec and Ontario to play in Canadian colours before family and friends, which is always a thrill”. From the Young Canada perspective on their experience, Charron was right on.

The Young Canada Pacific Pride program attracts and is comprised of promising young players from across Canada. The program’s home is The National Rugby Centre based out of Victoria’s Pacific Sport Institute. The Pride program has developed the skills of many a young and aspiring Canadian rugby player since its inception in 1996 as part of the 1994 Commonwealth Games sport development legacy. The Pride program has graduated more than 150 players, over 50 players of which have gone on to senior men’s international caps in either or both 15’s and 7’s. The Program’s main sources of support and funding are Rugby Canada and PacificSport, Victoria

The Pride program has immense value according to Al Charron, “In this age of professionalism, Canada is very much up against it in competing against the big boys of international rugby. The jump from club rugby to international rugby is bigger than ever and players of promise need to be nurtured as best as we can in this country so they can negotiate that jump. The goal and focus at Pacific Sport is that players who are fortunate enough to attend the program improve and develop. The Young Canada side that trains and plays together for close to a full year has done remarkably well to generate an improved talent pool of players who are now better equipped to compete and contend in international competition for Canada”.

Charron’s words were recently echoed by Rugby Canada Director Dr. Pat Palfrey who remarked during the tour on the contribution of the Young Canada Pride program as being “a centre of development in this country” and a program that has done much more than meets the eye”. He went on to say, “A lot of people don’t recognize the contribution made by the Pride”. This recent tour of the east certainly has helped to bridge some of this gap in awareness.

The Young Canada clinic schedule did not deter their focus on their five matches, which built in competitiveness as the tour progressed. After a disappointing and humbling season in the BC Premier league, the Young Canada Pride were able to capture the potential and consistency that had eluded them and they put together five outstanding performances with four decisive wins. Only a slow start on their only loss and a very unplayable field prevented a full and deserving sweep.

Game results:

April 20 Young Canada 81 – Quebec University All Stars 7
April 24 Young Canada 29 – Irish Canadian RC 18
April 27 Young Canada 5 – Niagara Thunder 17
April 28 Young Canada 35 – Newfoundland Rock 12
April 30 Young Canada 33 – Ontario President’s XV 13

Young Canada tour members moving on to International competition this month are Jake Osborne, Anthony LaCarte, Kyle Haley and Simon Dunne selected to the Canada 7’s team for tournaments in London and Paris and Stan McKeen and Matt Weingart selected to represent Canada in Japan at the Senior Men’s Super Powers Cup competition. Sean-Michael Stephen is a non-traveling reserve for the Japan bound XV.

Injury, always a factor with the aggressive Young Canada play unfortunately intervened in the post tour plans of Canadian International 7’s star Justin Mensah-Coker and Canadian U21 hopeful Rob Turk. Both were injured in the hard-hitting win against the Ontario Selects. Mensah-Coker suffered a torn knee ligament and Turk a broken jaw. Both are expected to recover soon but their injuries eliminate two of our high talent prospects from immediate contribution to international play.

The reception and hospitality all along the way of the tour was exceptional and a highlight appreciated by all. Young Canada’s bright red team tracksuits and imposing presence attracted much attention and interest on the street. Many in the rugby community went out of their way to support and provide assistance be it welcome, transportation, meals or billets. Bridges as Coach MacMillan intended were certainly built.

Players, Coach MacMillan and Player Manager Jim “Hubby” Hubbard all acknowledged the overall experience as one to be savored, learned from and remembered. In addition to the impact of the games and clinics a number of tour inspiring moments and experiences along with the time ‘in residence’ together in Victoria all adds up to something very special – a bonding of the group and their relationships for a lifetime.



by Robin Dyke
Markham ON, May 1, 2005

Young Canada Pride 33 ­- Ontario Presidents XV 15

"Throughout the year I always felt this team played big. Today they played
big!" So Young Canada Pride Coach John MacMillan summed up a tour and a
season after a decisive win over Ontario at Fletchers Field Saturday
evening. "Our forwards out rucked them and our backs outran them, it was as
simple as that, a capability we showed numerous occasions this season".

A well-prepared Young Canada Pride went to attack early and fast with more
directness than the Ontario side anticipated or could handle. On defense
the Young Canada Pride wall was virtually impregnable and the Pride
constantly disrupted Ontario sets and lineouts. Up quickly and close on the
Ontario offense the Pride constantly forced Ontario breakdowns and
turnovers. Ontario forward Aaron Carpenter and centre Matt King while
ever-present threats were allowed no room for creativity or maneuver by the
persistent in their face Pride defense. Two early Ontario turnovers were
turned into breakaway trys as first, Jake Osborne, and then Justin
Mensah-Coker, let loose the hounds and left Ontario in a wake of frustration.

Pride 12 ­ Ontario 0, very early in the first half. The Pride was fully on
the hunt and was not going hungry Saturday night.

Wounded, Ontario was far from finished and schooled the Pride in a season
long lesson on how their tendency to take untimely and dumb penalties was
directly related to their inability to win the big games. One such act in
their own end and the Pride allowed the Ontario forwards to have their best
moment of the day as the Ontario pack scored with a push over. Another Young
Canada penalty led to 3 more Ontario points and change in momentum seemed
possible for Ontario. Lesson however realized and appetite for victory
recovered as Young Canada returned to their run and gun game plan. Another
well played movement and finish with a second try for Jake Osborne,
converted by Kyle Haley and Young Canada Pride led at the half by 19 ­- 8.
The only downside for the Young Canada squad in the half being an
unfortunate knee injury to Mensah-Coker which took him out of a game in
which he was burning up the field.

Young Canada Pride picked up their pace to start the second half leaving
Ontario no opportunity to get seriously back in the game. A blazing run
down the wing by Kris Witkowski finished a clean movement outside by the
Pride backs and with Haley¹s convert Young Canada was up 26 ­- 8. The Young
Canada defense continued to frustrate Ontario's never give up attitude with
vicious tackling allowing little Ontario gain in territory. The Young
Canada aggressiveness was costly however as Rob Turk fractured his jaw in a
tackle, ending an outstanding performance. The game was delayed for about
30 minutes as Turk, in serious pain waited for and was taken from the field
by ambulance to York Central hospital in Newmarket.

An overcast day plus the late hour left little light as the final 20 minutes
played out. Young Canada continued to attack relentlessly and Ontario hung
in but with fading resolve. A Young Canada decision to run and spin the
ball out of their own end with an overlap advantage seemed good for a sure
try but the spinning ball was picked off by an anticipating Ontario defender
and run unobstructed in for an embarrassing score. Try converted, Pride 26
Ontario 15.

No real life left however for Ontario and Young Canada returned the slight
as Kris Witkowski gave finish to his outstanding performance on the wing by
intercepting an Ontario pass and out racing the Ontario backs to score
untouched. Haley again converted and the score stood and finished at 33 ­
15. Two trys each by Jake Osborne and Kris Witkowski and one by Justin
Mensah-Coker. Four converts by Kyle Haley. The Pride truly had an
outstanding day.

Coach MacMillan, emotion and pride in his voice praised the performance and
character of his charges, "they played big today, for sure, and they showed
well throughout this tour. We came east to build bridges with this program
and to help build the game in our country. We came to show our program to
many of the families and clubs and unions our players represent. We have
achieved our mission, reconnected with the east and re-established and built
many new relationships. This can only help us all get better".

MacMillan praised his forwards and cited the play of Dave Neill, Travis
Robertson, Matt Phinney and Dan Cudmore. The hitting and play of Tim
Matthews, Stan McKeen, and Sean-Michael Stephen also received praise, as did
the back play of Simon Dunne, Jake Osborne and Kris Witkowski. The
performance by Spencer Dalziel was seen as perhaps his best of the season.

The Young Canada Pride tour ran from April 17 to May 1 and involved 5 games
and over 50 clinics during this time. This very ambitious and successfully
accomplished schedule kept the Young Canada group on the go the entire two
weeks. Clinic work, all run by the players, drew raves for their upbeat
attitudes as well as the skills delivered from all coaches of the high
schools and clubs visited by the Young Canada clinic squads. Over 2000 high
school players, boys and girls participated in the clinics.

Game results:

April 20: Young Canada 81 ­- Quebec University All Stars 7
April 24: Young Canada 29 ­- Irish Canadian RC 18
April 27: Young Canada 5 ­- Niagara Thunder 17
April 28: Young Canada 35 ­- Newfoundland Rock 12
April 30: Young Canada 33 -­ Ontario 13



by Robin Dyke
Brampton ON, April 29, 2005

Well past the thunder from the night before, the Young Canada Pride stormed
Newfoundland last night and put one rock to bed. Their match with the Rock
was touted to be the toughest of the tour and after Wednesday's 17 - 7 loss to the Niagara Thunder and many figured the Rock to continue Young Canada's
slide. Young Canada, however, came to the Brampton Rugby Club's Beaver Dam on Wednesday evening prepared to drill the Rock and mine their pride.

Young Canada's game plan was to attack the Rock from the whistle and not
relent nor allow the heavier Rock pack to grind Young Canada's game and speed down into mauls and rucks. Young Canada attacked relentlessly with aggressive speed and ball handling. They scored early and were up by three converted trys to nil at the half. While the Rock deserved credit for some good defense and the odd threatening attack, Young Canada was poised to score more had the field and ball not been the likes of a greased pond. The Young Canada wall on defense thwarted any attack the Rock could throw.

With the amount of wet and muck absorbed during the first half the sides took advantage of taking half time in the changing rooms. A surprise appearance in the Young Canada dressing room by Pride graduate and former Canada Captain gave further heart to the Young Canada side. Emotion ran high as Pride icon and 'mother', Jim "Hubby" Hubbard presented Kyle with his original Pride red and white jersey.

The half time presentation caught Young Canada up and the blow gave some
momentum to the Rock as they took advantage of a down slope direction to start the second half. The Rock rolled to two trys in their forwards and were within striking distance of a comeback with time in their favor but Pride returned to the game plan with revitalized attack and many crowd pleasing back and forth 'spin it out' runs and aggressively created turnovers. Young Canada's sustained efforts brought them two more converted trys as well as the respect and admiration of the predominately young crowd of about 300 high school ruggers.

Final score 35 to 12 for Young Canada Pride. Young Canada trys scored by Tony LaCarte, Jake Osborn, Nolan Miles, Nathan Mantle and Dan Cudmore. All trys converted by Scott Gill. Nathan Mantle was named player of the game for Young Canada. While outstanding performances were the order of the day for all of the Young Canada squad, the try by Dan Cudmore was especially sweet given this being his third consecutive game after a frustrating injury caused absence from playing throughout the past Pride season.

Newfoundland Coach Dr. Pat Parfrey was generous with his praise for the Young Canada Pride performance during his comments in the post game reception. He also remarked on the contribution of the Young Canada Pride program as being "a centre of development in this country" and a program that has done much more than meets the eye". He went on to say "a lot of people don't recognize the contribution made by the Pride" and in saying so gave deserved credence to a program that during its 9 year existence has developed the talents and skills of 150 top quality prospects who are driving up our level of rugby excellence and international competitiveness.

In addition to bringing their game to Ontario and Quebec the Young Canada
Pride have brought their willingness and enthusiasm to pass on what they have learned during their program in the 50 high school clinics the players have run over the two weeks of this eastern tour. These clinics have brought
nothing but raves for the Young Canada players and the program itself. 'They
inspire, they teach and they have given a very useable boost to our game and
development' is the common reaction of the coaches at the high schools clinics.

Final game of the tour will be played against a selected Ontario side, 6:00 pm Saturday at Fletcher's Field, Toronto. Rock on Young Canada Pride!



Oakville ON, April 27, 2005
by Robin Dyke

Niagara Thunder 17 - Young Canada Pride 7

The Young Canada Pride returned to Oakville Crusader Field Wednesday evening
with high expectations after a spirited 32 - 18 win over the Irish Canadian
Rugby Club on Sunday. The Niagara Thunder roared to another tune however as
they pinned the Young Canada squad in their own end right from the whistle and pounded relentless at the Young Canada defense. Pouring all they had they at the mudded Young Canada defenders, the Thunder looked as if they were about to blow out to the fitter Young Canada side but a slicing break through by a Thunder back led to a first try and a bolt of confidence and energy and two more trys before the half. Young Canada had moments of opportunity but was unable to finish.

Young Canada Coach John MacMillan had more than a torrent of words for his
charges at the break which brought the flow back to their game in the second
half. Young Canada quickley took the offensive moving into Thunder territory
and spinning the ball from side to side but could not finish many exciting
movements. The crowd of over 500 who roared for the Thunder in the first half cheered the entertaining attacking and handling of the visitors. The Thunder sounded spent but still managed to defend their lead against a much stronger second half Young Canada attack. Light faded as did time, Young Canada realizing only one try by Jake Osborn but having the satisfaction of playing much closer to their potential. Overall, the Thunder deserved their win acknowledged Coach MacMillan.

Tonight the Young Canada Pride do it all again as they take on the
Newfoundland Rock at the Brampton Rugby Club. The Rock game has been
suggested as the toughest match of the tour for the young Pride team but last evening's match with the Thunder certainly struck Young Canada's pride with lightning force. Weather and field conditions should be improved as may be Young Canada's play having had a Thunder call.



by Mark Winokur
posted April 25 2005

On a cold wet day in Oakville, Jake Osborne’s two tries led Young Canada past the Irish Canadians 29-18 in an hard-fought pre-season contest before 300 fans.

YC, in the second game of their five game tour, burst from the gate and led 12-0 after 10 minutes on tries from man of the match Stan Mckeen and hooker Dave Neill.

Weathering the two scores and six straight penalties against, the Irish countered with a well worked line out drive, hooker Steve Orchard touching down. The game began to even out in the wet conditions, and Irish outhalf Ed Gardner closed the gap to 12-8 on the half hour, before a seven phase ruck and run resulted in a second green score from eight man Steve Conlon, giving the Irish a 15-12 halftime lead.

Young Canada went extensively to the bench in the second half, and finally regained the lead at 17-15 on the first of Osbornes scores. Former Irish fullback Simon Dunne stung his former mates with a try in the sixty second minute to up the lead to 24-15. The Irish clawed their way back from a Gardner penalty, 24-18, but Osborne was given credit for an injury time “phantom” try to end an entertaining match despite the conditions.

“For a first full game out, not bad” said Irish coach Mark Winokur, “the conditions slowed things down, but the physical contact part was good on both sides, and if we can build on this, we may be OK this year.”

Young Canada coach John Macmillan for his part, was pleased with the win despite the conditions and noted that the wet ground “didn’t allow either team to really get going, but the effort was certainly there.”

YC now face Niagara Thunder in Oakville on Wednesday, then Newfoundland on Thursday; the Irish continue their challenging pre-season on Saturday, with the development side facing Peterborough at 12:30 at Newtonbrook and the firsts hosting Newfoundland on Saturday at Fletchers Fields, a 4:30 kickoff.



posted April 5, 2005
by Robin Dyke

Victoria, BC -­ The Young Canada men¹s rugby program is heading East for two
weeks of matches and clinics in the Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto regions
starting April 17, 2005.

"As a national development program with athletes from across Canada it is
important we are seen in action beyond the rugby fields of BC", said Young
Canada and National Rugby Centre Program Director and Head Coach, John
MacMillan. "This tour will give our athletes an opportunity to play against
Eastern teams and allow contributing clubs and communities to see Young
Canada as a team and develop a closer relationship with the program."

This is the first time in the history of the Victoria National Rugby Centre
that the Young Canada development squad has toured Quebec and Ontario.
Featured matches include a game against the Irish Canadian Rugby Club in
Oakville, Sunday April 24 and a game against Ontario at Fletcher¹s Field,
Toronto on Saturday April 30. Games are also scheduled against the Quebec
University All Stars in Montreal, April 17, the Niagara Thunder on April
27 in Oakville, and the Newfoundland Rock, the Eastern Canadian Super
League champion, April 28 in Brampton.

Throughout the two weeks of their tour the Young Canada squad will run more
than 40 clinics for high school, university and club teams and will visit
school or home grounds to demonstrate training methods, skill development
and game situation tactics.

"It is our intention to assist high school, university and club rugby
players prepare for their upcoming season with these clinics", MacMillan
explained. "There has been a tremendous response to these clinics, which
tells me there is a growing desire to build and improve the game in Canada
and that the National Rugby Centre program is a key stimulus and
contributor."

Since its inception in Victoria in 1996 the National Rugby Centre program
has exposed about 120 of Canada¹s top young rugby players to elite standards
of competition, coaching, fitness training, and personal development in an
intensive two year residential setting, and has been recognized for raising
the level of the league and community game in Canada and providing over 50
players to the National 15's and 7's Teams.

The Program's main sources of support and funding are Rugby Canada and
PacificSport, Victoria. The current tour itself is self-funded by the
athletes and individual and corporate sponsors such as Fairmont Hotels.

In addition to the National Rugby Centre, PacificSport Victoria consists of
five other national training centres (athletics, cycling, rowing, swimming,
triathlon), and ten regional training centres (badminton, curling, cycling,
diving, field hockey, lacrosse, rugby, swimming, synchronized swimming, and
wheelchair athletics). It is one of two Canadian Sport Centres (Victoria and
Vancouver) and eight regional sport centres (Fraser Valley, Interior,
Okanagan, Northern BC, Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Victoria and Whistler)
that make up the network of PacificSport centres. Its aim is to continue to
develop a provincial environment for sport performance at all levels through
strategic investment in identified sports, world class training
opportunities and quality athlete and coach services in collaboration with
regional, provincial and national sport organizations. The Vancouver and
Victoria centres are two of eight Canadian Sport Centres, including Calgary,
Atlantic, Montréal, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Manitoba.

Media contact:
Robin Dyke, Tour Manager
robindyke@telus.net



The National Rugby Centre (Victoria, BC) announces a call for applications for September 1, 2005. Located in Victoria BC the National Rugby Centre is an elite residential centre focused on developing athletes to represent Canada. The NRC has been instrumental in the development of many top Internationals for Canada and will again be looking to develop athletes for the NSMT, 7’s National Team, Young Canada and u21 levels. Athletes who are interested in reaching these levels or are already representing these levels should submit their applications online at www.pacificsportrugby.ca

For further information contact Sandi Walmsley at the National Rugby Centre at 250.744.3583 ext 242 or e-mail swalmsley@pacificsport.com



Posted March 24 2005
by Alun Rees

Gentlemen of the Media - many thanks for your previous coverage of The Pacific Pride Gala Dinner WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 11TH, 2005 - it was much appreciated.

Regrettably, we have had to postpone the event until the Fall.(Possibly Nov 12th or 19th ,2005) - I will confirm later.

It was a difficult decision to POSTPONE, but a major congestion of other rugby events at the same time, has precipitated this action. As we are all aware, there is only so much that the rugby market- place can stand in supporting the very worthwhile causes of all concerned.

Again it would be appreciated if you could announce the POSTPONEMENT of the Pride Rugby Gala scheduled for April 11th. - with apologies to any who may be inconvenienced by this decision.

Thanks,

Alun Rees (for Pride Management/Gala Committee).



Cocktails at 6.00pm Dinner at 7.00pm.

This will be the 8th Annual Fundraising Dinner and Auction, and your support would be very much appreciated.

Tickets are priced at $125.00 single , or $200.00 for a mixed couple.

There will be a SILENT Auction and an OPEN Auction during the evening , and our Guest Speaker this year, is the highly entertaining Dr. Martin Collis.

It promises to be yet another enjoyable evening, with all profits being returned to the National Under 23 Rugby program at Pacific Sport .

ALL THOSE WISHING TO ATTEND, PLEASE CONTACT ANY OF THE INDIVIDUALS LISTED BELOW

Should you not be able to attend, but would consider sponsoring a young player for the event, you are also asked to contact the individuals listed below.

Sandi Walmsley - swalmsley@pacificsport.com (744 3583 ext 242)

Alun Rees - alunrees@shaw.ca

John Wrafter - cosligo@shaw.ca

With thanks - Alun Rees (for Gala Committee).



[ed. in January, Lisa posted an article (see below) on the Pacific Pride alumni. She's taken your input and created an updated list of past Pride players and where they're playing their rugby now. It's in Word format]

Updated Pacific Pride alumni list - Feb 16 2005

Further updates can be sent to lisa@bcrugbynews.com

Pride v. UVic mid-week exhibition match tonight at Centennial Stadium

For those needing a mid-week rugby fix, there will be an exhibition match between UVic and the Pacific Pride tonight, Wednesday, Feb 2nd at 7pm.

Both teams are loaded with talent but have been playing below their potential. UVic having been relegated from Premier and the Pacific Pride placing a disappointing fifth in the fall league and losing their first match of the 2005 Premier season.

UVic are heading south for a tour of California while taking in the USA Sevens in Los Angleles, Feb 12-13. No doubt they will want a quality contest to prepare for the tour.

Pacific Pride Alumni, Where are they now?

By Lisa Cooper
Posted: Jan 27, 2005

In 1996 an elite group of rugby players were sent to beep testing by a ruthless coach for a hydrotherapy Sunday they failed to attend. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade (the Gordon Head gym complex) to the Canadian underground. Today, still wanted by the Canadian rugby community, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the ex-players of the CCSD...

After Saturday’s Alumni game an interesting question came to mind, “What happened to the rest of the Pride alumni?”

The Pacific Pride (previously the CCSD), has been running as a developmental program for Canadian rugby for nearly a decade now. John MacMillan, current coach of the Pacific Pride, has kindly provided me with past team lists and a few known whereabouts, but I’m asking you, the readers, for your input.

Have these players furthered their rugby careers after leaving the program? Did they spread the rugby gospel by returning to their home towns/clubs? If they have retired, are they still involved within the rugby community?

If you have any information on these players or if you are one of these players please email us and let us know.

lisa@bcrugbynews.com

Year(s) Played Player
1996/97 John Chaterson-
1996/97 Jon Theil-Professional contract, Wales
1996/97 Peter Densmore-
1996/97 Adam Marshall-
1996/97/98 Kevin Tkatchuk- Professional contract, Glasgow, Scotland
1996/97 Greg Mosgrove-
1996/97 Brendan Traynor-
1996 John Tait- Professional contract, France
1996/97 Chris May-Retired
1996/97 Mark Irvine-Retired
1996/97 Ken Goodland- Playing for Castaway Wanderers
1996/97 Dan Baugh- Professional contract, Cardiff, Wales
1996/97/98 Norman Williams- Professional contract, Saracens, England
1996/97/98 Jordi Cook-Knee injury, retired
1996 Seb Higgins-Retired
1996/97/98 Simon Pacey-
1996/97 Kyle Nichols-
1996/97 Colin Robertson-Retired
1996/97/98 Sean Fauth-Retired after 2003 RWC
1996/97 Joe Haley-Bayside RFC
1996 Jeff Pike-
1996/97 Cory Kawagochi-Burnaby Lake
1996/97 Ben Charleton-
1997/98 Garth Cooke- Professional contract, Italy
1997/98 Adam Van Staveren
1997/98 Jag Sihota
1997 Glenn Miller
1997/98 Nik Witkowski
1997 Jeff Williams- Playing for JBAA
1998/99 Ted Howard
1998 Dale Pike
1998 Pat Dunkley- Playing for JBAA
1998/99 Dave Ramsey - Playing for JBAA
1998/99 Ron Johnstone - Playing for Capilanos
1998/99/2000 Pat Bickerton
1998/99/2000 Tim Jackson
1998/99 Mike Andrew - Playing for Capilanos
1998/99 Phil Murphy
1998/99/2000 Ed Fairhurst
1998/99 Ryan Lynam
1998/99 Ryan Mc Whinney
1998/99 Jeff Bovis
1998 Darell Underwood
1998/99/2000 Mike Armstrong
1998/99 Jason Verstraten
1999 Steve Aaen
1999/2000 Chris Dykstra
1999/2000/2001 Chad Plater
1999/2000 Charlie Keenan
1999/2000/2001 Colin Yukes
1999/2000/2001 Brian Erichsen
1999/2000 Dennis Van Kerrebroek
1999/2000 Marco DiGirolamo - Playing for Aurora, Ontario
1999/2000 Marcus Blummensaat
1999/2000 John Cannon
1999/2000/01 Drew Graham
1999/2000 Jamie Collins
1999 Geoff McIntyre
2000/01 Adam Dowhy
2000/01/02 Forrest Gainer
2000/01/02 Sean O’Leary - Playing for Meralomas
2000 Bryan Taylor
2000/01/02 Sipili Molia - Playing for Castaway Wanderers
2000/01/02 David Moonlight - Playing for UVic
2000/01 Steve Staffieri
2000/01 Derek Daypuck - Playing for Castaway Wanderers
2001/02/03 Aaron Abrams
2001 Mike Barbieri
2001 Jamie Cudmore - Professional with Grenoble, France
2001/02/03 Mike Webb
2001 Ryan Neufeld
2001 Chris Mooney
2001/02 Scott Franklin - playing for Castaway Wanderers
2001/02 Pat Fleck
2001/02 Jesse Frender
2001 Dave Ashwood
2001/2002 Ryan”the beav” Smith
2001/02 Matt King
2001/02 Rob Woolfenden
2001/2002 Mike Daniels
2001/02 Mike Danskin
2002 Casey Dunning
2002 Chris Banks
2002/03 Iain Exner - Playing for Castaway Wanderers
2002/03 Aidan Buan - Playing for Meralomas
200203 Adam Roberts - Playing for Bayside
2002/03 Kevin Parfrey - Playing for the Rock and Swilers
2002 Josh Jackson
2002/03 Stiriling Richmond
2002/03 Jake Osbourne
2002/03 Geoff Warden



The light rains that were forecast were a little heavier than expected but it wouldn't affect the outcome of the match. The Alumni were always in control, running out to a 29-0 lead in the first half. Derek Daypuck was one of the Alumni players who stood out, jinking his way through tacklers on several occasions. Generally the 7s players performed well Marco, Ryan Smith, Derek Daypuck, David Moonlight and Mensah-Coker all having excellent games. The Alumni outscored the current Pride by a score of 8 tries to 2.

BC Rugby News pundits chose the Alumni to win by a 70% to 30% margin, proving our readers level of discernment.

Pride scorers: Justin Mensah-Coker 1T, Stan McKeen 1T

Alumni scorers: Brian Taylor 2T, David Moonlight 1T, Pat Dunkley 1T, Marco Di Girolamo 1T, Ron Johnstone 2T, Ken Goodland 1T

There apparently was worry from some on the mainland that the game wouldn't take place on Saturday due to excess rains and field closures. The island missed much of the heavy rains and the velox field is in remarkably good condition for this time of the year. The forecast for Victoria on Saturday afternoon is 10c and 80% chance of light rain, perfect rugby weather (Toronto, by the way, is forecast for -13c with 100% chance of snow, sorry couldn't resist).

Our online poll, at the time of writing, picks the Alumni as winners, 73% of viewers have this opinion, 27% picking the current crop of Pride players. It will be interesting to see the on-field results, the alumni have an impressive list of graduates who ply their trade across premier teams and at the national level. The current squad though have more recent experience playing together and I think they will be more motivated. Who will win? In these barbarians style games it's hard to tell, the normal motivation factors aren't there. On paper the alumni should win it easily but if the current squad takes some intensity into the match then it should be close. I'll pick the alumni by 13.

I asked the Pride alumni to answer a few questions about where they played previously and where they play rugby now, as well as the highlight of their CCSD/Pride careers. Not everyone answered but thanks to those that did, here they are in the reverse order I received them (most recent first as I scroll through my inbox):

Scott Franklin

1. Which club did you play for prior to CCSD/Pride?

Oak Bay Castaway Wanderers

2. What years did you play for the CCSD/Pride?

2001 and 2002

3. Where are you playing rugby now?

Oak Bay CW

4. What was the highlight of your CCSD/Pride playing career?

Beating New Zealand Nike team and getting MVP of that game

Joe Haley

Just responding to the CCSD email. I will be there
for the match. I am Joe Haley, I started off with the
CCSD its first year, 1996-97 played there for 2 years
under the coaching of David Clark and mother Hubbard
as the manager. Fantastic few years of my life, I
would not have missed this for the world!! After
graduating from Semiahmoo High School in White Rock, I
went to UVIC and played for Doug Tate and David
Dockerty for 3 years then to CCSD. Bayside RFC is my
local clubside who I have played for since the age of
16 years old, in between back and forth to Victoria.
Played on the Canadian National Sevens program since
1996 and got capped for National Senior Mens in 1996
as well. Highlight for CCSD was our tour to
Australia, great time with the guys and very good
rugby, being on the home soil of David Clark! I miss
the camaraderie of the group we had in those days, we
were a tight nit group and were the best team I have
ever played with for a 15 a side team!

Adam Roberts

1) Bayside
2) Season's 2002/03, 2003/04
3) Bayside
4) All the amazing buddy's that I have made.

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