Numbers Belie Tale Of The Tape

Excitement is in the rugby air as another CDI season kicks off.  The state of the CW Nation appears hale with 58 senior men registered.  These numbers are every bit as healthy as the past three seasons, yet it is a problem that the club is having to field two senior teams.  CW is struggling to the extent that we have to postpone (with Capilano consent), its Ceili’s First Division game this coming weekend and throw the best available 22, if that, into the Premier cauldron.  It is a perfect storm of factors – injuries and unavailability.

Currently there are only two clubs in the Province, that for whatever providential reason, appear to have the luxury of sufficient players.  Capilanos and Burnaby Lake appear to be in this position. There is a general “shortage of players” around the league.  Whatever the reason it is abundantly clear; clubs cannot rely on past glory to ensure future success.  Expanding a volunteer base is as difficult as expanding the player base and our niche sport, rugby, has a future that is appearing to be increasingly precarious.

So, CW kicks off against Caps with the following squad; Forwards:  John Braddock, Andrew Tiedemann (C.), Doug Woolridge, Aaron Flagg, Rhys Jones, Gord Kehoe, Miles Dingwall, Dylan Jones.  Backs; Kyle Armstrong, Matt Buckley, Bruce Watson, Adam Kleeberger, Mike van der Westhuizen, Jordan Henderson and Keenan Horton.  Bench:  Sean lavery, Djustice Sears-Duru, Sam Lawless, Riley Macpherson, Evan Seale.

For any supporters the arrangements are; walk on the 11:00 a.m. ferry and ride with team to Klahanie and return on bus for the 7:00 p.m. ferry. Good luck, boys!