Monday's Musings

2020/21 EXECUTIVE

CW is pleased to announce its Board of Directors for the season, following the recent Virtual AGM - "attended" by some 40 virtual viewers!

PRESIDENT - Dave ("Bing") Crossley. Dave is a well-known former player, having worn the colors of UVic, Oak Bay Wanderers and VIRU Crimson Tide. He has been a leader in female development at CW and in the local region and high school system. As the principal driver for a female pathway development in the region, he has driven a vision of development that has attracted players from the mini to senior level and grown the program to become a major component of the Club.  Dave brings some eleven years of active involvement with organisational functions within the Club and he has served on the Board for nine years.

He is active with refereeing on the Island, especially promoting youth refereeing. In addition, David's expertise with IT has been of massive benefit with the CW website.  Dave is a “do-er” and his word is his work. He has learned the ropes and we look forward to his leadership.

VICE PRESIDENT - Brian Huse.  Brian became involved with CW in 2011 when his daughter Chloe joined the Jr. Program.  Chloe has since gone on to play for not only CW, but regional and BC teams.  In addition to being a member of the CW executive committee, Brian contributes to CW by managing both the U16 and U19 girls Jr. Teams.

He is well known to his Executive colleagues as our Girls Youth Program Director for the past four years.  He has been our 'manager extraordinaire' who has kept our girl’s youth program organized and growing.  Brian has now stepped up to our VP role along with registrar duties.  We are very pleased to have Brian in this role and look forward to his continued enthusiasm and passion that he brings to the Club.

SECRETARY - Jon Donald. "JD" has an affiliation with the Club dating back to the pre-merger Oak Bay Wanderers days when he played with a few of the Carson brothers, Gareth Rees, and many other long-termers, including the still-active, Don Swainson. He is also the proud father of a former women’s Premier player, Olivia Donald.

Jon is in his third year as the Club’s Corporate Secretary; a position he believes he was offered because he “writes English real good”!  He has been a steadying and innovative influence on the Executive with his consulting background.  A former Wanderers/CW player that saw the transition to the merged clubs in the early nineties, Jon is well versed in the history and culture of the Club and we are very pleased to have back on Board for this season.

TREASURER - Jason Lewis.  We are very pleased to have Jason back on the Board for this upcoming season.  He has led a number of initiatives in the financial side of the club over the past few years and has been invaluable in creating efficiencies in managing the ‘transactional’ aspects of the club.  He will be leading a number of initiatives this season as we move much of our financial processing into the digital age.

  DIRECTOR – Senior Men’s Representative - Brandon Gerhardt.  As one of the few Victoria-born members of CW, Brandon began his "career" in the junior program under the tutelage of Roger Robinson, Ken Goodland, and Seamus Gay.  Graduating to the senior men's side in 2008, Brandon "The Queen" experienced many highs and lows with the club, as well as personal achievements, and failures to match.  With large boots to fill courtesy of Riley Ilnicki’s long time at this station, Brandon's primary goal will be to build upon the framework established for keeping the club connected off the field, and competitive on the field.

DIRECTOR - Senior Women's Representative - Jess Hardy.  Jess began her rugby career in Manitoba. She has played for multiple clubs across Western Canada and has finally settled in Victoria with the Castaway Wanderers. As a junior player she participated in the U-19 Rugby Canada development program and has played provincially for Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Jessica has her Red Seal Journeyman certificate in carpentry. She balances a busy schedule with her wife, taking care of their son and running a small business.

DIRECTOR - Boys Youth - Byron McAllister.  Byron has moved into the role of Junior Boys Co-Ordinator overseeing the development of the U15, U17 & U19 programs. With two sons in the CW program, Byron brings a personal interest and passion for the continued growth of the Boy’s junior program.  He took over during summer and jumped in with both feet, leading the Return to Play protocols for the boys’ program which included his company’s donation of necessary PPE and sanitizer! 

DIRECTOR - Girls Youth Program - Olly Winser.  Ollie, native of Montreal, came to our club as a senior men’s player while attending UVIC, studying Education for five years. He stepped up as a coach in girls youth program and he has coached all of our age grade levels in the girl’s youth program over his last five years. In addition, he has coached at regional and provincial youth levels and is currently working on a Masters Degree in Coaching at UVIC. Ollie also has had a wide experience of teaching in Victoria schools. CW is very lucky to have his continued involvement and we look forward to his leadership with coaching innovation and insights. 

DIRECTOR - Mini Rugby - Erin Vipond.  Erin grew up playing many sports throughout her youth, but it wasn’t until university that she was introduced to rugby. She instantly fell in love with the intensity on the pitch and the sense of community off of it. Erin played rugby for McMaster, Queen’s, and Halifax Wanderers RFC and was selected to play for Nova Scotia. Her career with the Royal Canadian Navy pulled her in a different direction, but several years later still feeling the pull of the rugby pitch and community she was back - this time in Victoria. Erin has been coaching with our Mini program for three years and has enjoyed watching her daughters learn the sport she is so passionate about.  We are very pleased to have her continue as our Mini Program Director and continue to grow this very important program.