Wednesday's Ruck & Maul

Our Host, Matt MacNeil welcomed all guests and highlighted the purpose of the evening – to raise funds!  He introduced the newly minted, Club’s Highest Award, the Johno Award, a perpetual award that represents all that Brent stood for.  Matt gave an account of Brent’s attributes as he had experienced them with emphasis on Brent’s concern for community, people and his club.  He concluded with the reminder to ensure guests had a safe ride home.

The Johno - painting by Kitt Warren, signed RWC ball by 11 CW players, Stefan Alexander.

                                                        A perpetual trophy.

CW’s President, Kerri Cook followed, giving the club’s warm welcome to guests, highlighting the evening’s honored guests, Karen Paquin and Caroline Crossley.  Kerri gave special thanks to the evening’s major sponsors, Vic Pub Co., Matt and Connor MacNeil, and Carson Auto Mitsubishi. Kerri offered gratitude to the Organizing Committee, the player volunteers, and the Bard & Banker staff, reminding the throng to patronize the club’s sponsors.

                        Special guests for the evening, Karen and Caroline, were introduced.

“Karen’s awards have been many, but I would like to mention the latest, from Rugby World Cup, an award that accurately typifies all that she stands for in the rugby game.  In the recent World Cup, apart from her two great tries, one from a forty-meter weave against the Aussies, and her high tackle count, #2 for Canada, she most fittingly topped the stats for the category of UNSEEN WORK AWARD, hitting 110 rucks to guarantee her team’s continuity of phases would ensue, indicating her work rate and leadership as a player.  And all of this, at age 38, defying the concept of age.  How can we not be in awe?”

“Caroline’s father, David, conceptualized a “Dads with Daughters” slogan and so the introduction of girls’ age grade rugby was born at CW with twelve girls in 2011. Girls’ rugby soon spread to other clubs on the Island.  The CW program now boasts 175 female athletes from Minis to Senior Women. 
I leave you with a Caroline memorable moment.  In the wind up to the World Cup, Caroline came off the pitch against South Africa with severe leg cramps.  As circumstances would have it, despite her misfortune, she was required to return to replace a more severely injured teammate.  Caroline put her exclamation on the match with a perfectly timed interception and forty metres gallop to the try line.”

In presenting these two women, I must mention that they were both given Honorable Mention by Rugby Pass in their Team of the Tournament.  These women, silver medalists, provided us with Golden Moments during the tournament.  Thank you, Karen and Caroline!

This link summarises their work at RWC - 

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16V8udVEBG/?mibextid=wwXIfr 

The evening, flowed smoothly, articulated by MC, Ken Goodland, despite some rugbyisms!  Then Auctioneer, Kelly Mann stepped to the rostrum to perform his magic.

Former Castaways & BCRU Board member, Doug ‘The Mole’ Manning is flanked by l. to r. Jim Grier, first CW President and Dave Clarke, one of the Founding Fathers of Castaways RFC. (Clarkie’s blazer, NSMT Tour UK, 1962!)

A massive THANKS goes out to all the winners on bids on the open and silent auction treasures.  Your generosity is HUGE.  The evening concluded with the draw for an amazing door prize, donated by Matt - business class tickets for two to London, England for one week (hotel included) including a pair of tickets for two rugby matches.

This event was like a rugby game in itself!  First name out of the barrel, John Graf, was not in the house.  Then Luke Straith’s name was drawn, brother Manny, claiming in Luke’s absence that he would give the ticket to him!  Finally, a winner!  It was somewhat serendipitous that Karen’s husband, Julian Carnet, had his name drawn out for the prize!

                                                          Further photos, CLICK HERE

      CW is a club on the move.  Our next BIG project is to bring a clubhouse home to Windsor Park.

                                If you have any questions or interest in this project,

            please contact [email protected] or phone Chris at 250 888 8859

NSMT’s 7’s.  Our last news snippet was regarding the Lockie Jinx.  Indeed, Canada did fly in an extra man.  CW’s Lockie Kratz, made of sterner stuff, like the veritable Phoenix, arose to lead his team to victory at the RAN 7’s.  Kratz scored a try in the Final over Barbados in a 31 – 0 win.  Following the game Kratz, as captain was quoted; “We wanted to test ourselves in this tournament and I think we got that,” said Kratz. “We had a lot of good games, and we are just building towards the next tournament in the new year. The team had a lot of fun, showed well and just overall happy with our performance.  Looking ahead to what is next for Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team Kratz said: “We had six debutants this tournament who all did really well. It’s about getting the boys more in tune with what to expect on the bigger stage and the pace of play. We are trying to build here, and it’s been a great weekend.”

Sophie ‘Sunshine’ Hayes, rookie at Harvard Rugby this year, notched a tally in their recent, 22 - 19 victory over Lindenwood for the Ivy League NCAA Div1 Championship. It was a three-peat for the Crimson. Sophie is yet another product of CW’s pathway passage of rugby development. ‘onya, Sunshine!

NSWT 7’s.  Whilst with pathway players, it is Adia Pye, currently at UBC who has been selected to the NSWT for the HSBC Women’s Sevens circuit, kicking off on its new season at Dubai this weekend.  It will be new squad looking to carry the torch of their silver medalist predecessors.  Good luck, ladies.