Wednesday's Ruck & Maul

December 7, 2016 Posted in Canada Rugby / Prems / Rugby Club / NSMT / NSWT / Under 20 / Senior Men

Yesterday's blog finished with compliments to last year's grads who came back to Windsor to cheer on this year's counterparts. Today we continue this story line. We have prefaced it with photos that CW fans will recognise of this talented trio.

Yesterday, Spence referred to program “grads”. Today it brings great pleasure to offer plaudits to a talented trio – Gavin Kratz, Brennig Prevost and Brandon Schellenberger. From “eight to eighteen”, these three lads have followed the pathway with their club from Minis to National U19 selection. Collectively, they ended their age grade careers at CW as B.C. U18 Champs, last season – an undefeated campaign, including a win in Wales, and a brace in England. On Friday last their selection to Canada’s U19 team, slated to play their U.S.A. counterparts in San Diego in January, was announced. Firstly, we credit the players for their hard work and secondly to all the coaches they have had along this pathway. The boys parallel a similar pathway earlier this year, followed by Sophie De Goede and Caroline Crossley, from Minis to National level. We wish the boys and their team mates all the very best in the two test matches.

Brennig and Gav have graduated to UVic this year and Schellie has stayed with the club as he has taken up studies at Camosun.

Speaking of Brandon, we quote (credit to BCRU), the following as an addition to our credit in an earlier blog recognizing his receipt of the Premier’s Award for Youth Excellence in Sports. “18-year-old Brandon is a member of the Namgis Nation and a student as Camosun College. His Kwak'wala name is Glalis, which means whale on the shore. Brandon is a successful multi-sport athlete, competing in soccer and rugby throughout high school. Rugby has allowed Brandon to travel all over the world, including England, Germany, China and Argentina. In 2016, Brandon’s team won the gold medal at the U18 Canadian Rugby Championship and the U18 BC Rugby Provincial Regional Championships. Brandon’s team also won the gold medal at the Victoria International Youth 7’s Elite Division Cup, the U18 Rugby 7’s Championship and the Las Vegas Invitational U19 Elite Division Championship.

Brandon received the 2016 BC Provincial Commissioner’s XV Award for Rugby for his sport performances as well as his service to the rugby community. He was also awarded the 2016 Freda Shaughnessy Sports & Academics Scholarship from the Greater Victoria School District #61. Brandon volunteers his time coaching youth rugby players with the Castaway Wanderers Rugby Club and assists the Aboriginal Thunder Rugby Club with fundraising efforts. Brandon plays with the T-Birds Soccer Club and helps assist with team fundraisers. He is enrolled in the Aboriginal studies diploma program at Camosun and is excited to further his cultural knowledge. Brandon’s goal is play rugby internationally and represent Canada as well as to share his knowledge of the game to Indigenous youth.”

Final news for today is the fact that our own, Ray Barkwill (adopted), has been nominated for one of four to be selected as Canada's Male Player of the Year. We are thrilled for Ray and believe he is very worthy of the honour. We seek your support of Ray by voting HERE.

Huge Ed. apologies. I was reminded to read on re. Players of the Year, for there was a female component which includes no less than CW's Julianne Zussman. Zuss, from back east, hung her cleats with CW in their first season and was hugely instrumental in the club taking the prize. Her role at National level is also huge. You can make a vote for Julia HERE