Wednesday's Ruck & Maul

One of the joys of being the main writer on this site is the fact that there are heaps of stories pertaining to our own players that can populate the site. Unfortunately, oftimes there is simply not the time available to bring readers all of the unique nuances provided by our own players. Today’s Ruck & Maul brings another oleo of achievements.

Canada’s NSMT off to South America for ARC test matches.

CW’s Barkwill and Buydens will bookend Canada for the upcoming trip to South America for ARC test matches.  Kingsley Jones has announced his NSMT for matches against Uruguay and Brazil next month.  CW throws out kudos to current and recent past chaps who have worn the Tricolours – Dustin Dobravsky, DJ Sears-Duru, Doug Fraser, Ciaran Hearn, Jamie Mac Kenzie, Ray Barkwill and Hubert Buydens.  Not knowing who is and who is not in the opposing teams and their relative strengths is an interesting “unknown” against which to test Canadian progress.  The overall make-up of the Canadian squad looks rather useful and the Uruguayan outcome, in particular will be most interesting, given their hurdling over our boys to be the America’s #3 contestant at the Big Show!  Go, Canada.

CW U16 and U18 Girls test themselves against the Province’s best at the recent Elite Youth Sevens Camp.

CW’s Jessie Knaggs is fast out of the blocks!

Last weekend saw eighty U16 and U18 girls amassing at UBC and St. Georges, along with their male U17 counterparts to be put through their paces with Elite 7’s training. We bring you a direct quote from the BCRU website as it is pretty impressive stuff! “In coordination with the BC Rugby Conference, which was taking place at the same venue, the U18s were able to get direct coaching from Russell Earnshaw, RFU Coach and co-founder of The Magic Academy. These sessions gave the group some really valuable experience and the players were complimented on their attitude and enthusiasm by Russell and the other coaches.

The highlights didn’t end there though, with both age groups receiving an inspirational talk from Leslie Cripps who was being inducted into the BC Rugby Hall of Fame that evening. Cripps, a former captain of the Canadian Women’s Rugby Team who played in three Women’s Rugby World Cups, was bowled over with the number of girls attending the camp, (when she started playing, there was no age-grade girls rugby full stop).

The athletes had an array of talent and experience guiding them during the two-day camp. Many past BC Rep Team players and recent Elite Youth Sevens Program graduates were involved in the delivery of sessions. These coaches created a fantastic camp environment for the girls, fostering growth and a love for the game while providing them with great coaching. Brittany Waters and Glen Sharpe were notable lead coaches for the camp, along with many current and past UVic, UBC and UFV student-athletes.

Coaches were blown away with the skills of the U16 group in particular. The growth of numbers in girl’s rugby is clear, but what is just as evident is the increase in the level of play. This has come about by the coaching these players are receiving through high school and club rugby, coupled with the age-appropriate game experience through the BC Rugby club system. It is amazing to see the system working so well and the volume of talented athletes that are coming through.”

CW congratulates the following players in attendance; U16 - Marina Skakun, Jessie Knaggs, Jorja Cook, Gwynnie Fry and Karlyn Schurman. U18's - Sophia Tafel, Katie Hall, Kenzi Farish, Danielle Leipoldt and Chloe Hill-Huse.