Monday's Musings

May 13, 2024 Posted in CW Rugby / Giving Back / Game Reports / Rugby Club / Victoria BC / News / Girls Rugby / Fifteens / NSMT / NSWT / Senior Women / Mini Rugby U12 / Boys Rugby

A GRAND CELEBRATION

Friday last saw an amazing celebration of rugby in Victoria. It was the Golden Anniversary of Elementary School rugby. A small beginning back in 1972 has seen the event grow to 34 teams playing 52 games on nine fields last Friday. During this fifty years some 15,000 girls and boys have been introduced to the game. The program has been very innovative, with mixed gender rugby being introduced some thirty years ago. This year another first occured when three female referees joined a crew of fifteen. It is a feather in the cap of three CW ladies, Annalise Molony (above), Bronwyn Zodichi (above) and Chanelle Challenger-Edwards to be the first ever female referees at the event. Another CW "grad", Caroline Crossley, presented a signed Sophie de Goede jersey to tournament organizer for those fifty years, Mick Eckardt. Later in the day (evening), Sophie (Minis grad), captained the NSWT to a solid victory over Australia in Sydney. What a banner day for rugby and a feather in the CW cap.

P.S. A few featured graduates - Stanley Cup winners, Jeff and Russ Courtnall, NBA MVP, Steve Nash, PGA golfer, Adam Hadwin, NSWT Captain, Sophie de Goede, World Rugby Hall of Fame, Gareth Rees.

NSWT DEFEAT AUSTRALIA

CW's, Julia Schell raises her hands in triumph!

As mentioned, the NSWT was led by CW 'grad', Sophie de Goede. Included were others who have worn the CW jersey, Gabby Senft (#8), Olivia Apps (#9), and energizer, off the bench, Julia Schell. Schell, along with Sophie was most unlucky not to score in the late going, both being deemed to be "held up".

An aside to the game is the fact that the Australian women play in a recently implemented professional National League, with teams sponsored by Super League clubs from Perth to Brisbane. This growth was evidenced on Saturday with a much improved perfromance (based on previous outcomes between these two teams), of the National team. Canada does have a number of women who play professionally in England.

In conclusion, the Canadian forwards set the bar high in this one and CW wishes them well as they travel to NZ to take on the Black Ferns, next weekend.

NSMT U20 MEN

CW has three players in the NSMT U20 squad tryouts being held in camp at Shawnigan. Noah Kynaston, Spencer Cotie, and Ty Driscoll are vying for spots for the upcoming matches against the U.S.A., taking place at Shawnigan Lake School and Starlight Stadium on June 1st and 7th. The winner of this series will be the North American entrant in the eight team, World Rugby U20 Championship to be held in Scotland in July. CW is behind you and the best of luck!