Victoria BC
Golden Oldies
“The roots of the present lie deep in our past.” Keeping with this theme in these Covid times, today we bring you a ‘Golden Oldie’, David Clarke. Clarkie was an original Castaway, having come from the U.K. via Montreal and Cowichan and is one of a handful from his era who can be...
Return to Play Planning Update
We want to let the Castaway Wanderers RFC faithful know that significant work and coordination is taking place to get Rugby moving again in a positive and safe direction. Regular Zoom calls; document reviews; drafting of key information in support of a return to CW Rugby; and much more have...
Monday's Musings
HIGHLANDERS Brains Trust (Credit to All Black Rugby - Getty Images) Those Kiwis! Well, it was with bated breath last week that we awaited outcomes but this week we were left positively gasping – and this all for free! Super shout out to TSN. The CANES/BLUES contest was of an even...
Monday's Musings
Crusader Elation – Photo Credit – Hannah Peters (Getty Images), Rugby Pass News. Well, the big game in NZ was by far the best of the four on display in the Antipodes, this past weekend. The rugby played in the two countries was of a stark comparison – ponderous, poor skills in wet...
Return to Play Planning begins !
CW members, BC Rugby launched its ‘return to play’ plan this week. You can review the plan yourself by clicking this link: http://www.bcrugby.com/returntorugby/ There is a long road ahead to getting back to rugby as we have known it pre-pandemic but this is a huge step forward for rugby and...
Club President Message on Fighting Racism and Hate
CW Rugby membership requirements: Must be human, that is all. I don’t often post comments on my personal page related to any of my formal roles but those that know me best know how much I love my rugby club: cwrugby.com Given the times, I feel it is important for our club to face...
Monday's Musings
A Quiet Transition In Covid times at CW there has been a major event – apart from no rugby. Three-term President, Matt Gordon has transferred the torch de facto, to nine-year Board member, Dave ‘Bing’ Crossley. Dave will be the second of the past five Presidents who played with the Oak...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
Photo credit: SuperRugby.co and Getty Images - Hurricanes, 2016. NZ Super Rugby Enters Prepare to Play Phase This morning, direct from Wellington, our correspondent pinged us the news that the five NZ Super Rugby teams have now entered the Prepare to Play Phase, with Highlanders hosting...
Saturday, A No Rugby Day!
Next Best - Unsung Hero - On The Field. John Braddock, (2020 Winner – John Morley Award for that player who “plays pain or not; fair or foul; no whining, no excuses”.) CW: John, our Unsung Hero is just that and game in and game out, our club can totally rely on your effort...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
An iconic rugby picture! 1964 Rugby League Final, Sydney. “Stumpy” and “Sticks”. Came across the recent passing of “Stumpy”, Arthur Summons the other day at age 84. The wee man was a fabulous player and developed a lengthy collection of achievements. He started his football...
It's Rugby - Must Be Saturday!
Finnie Soars High To End The Season Name That Team Well, we had very little response to this challenge! So, we’ll leave it at that. A couple of the players on the side responded accurately, which is amazing after that time lapse! Here you go;Back Row, l to r: Dave Bukovic,...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
What did it look like? We include this screen to show evidence of the Zoom Room on Saturday last. Fun to see all those looking in and to try to keep pace with the text Chat to-ing and fro-ing. Today we recognise the rest of the winning crew. PREMIER AWARD WINNERS WOMEN: Forward of the...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
The roots of the present are deep in the past! Assistant Coach, Captain Ken, 2009. (Yonks ago, at least it seems like it, in times when a decade is as a day or a day, as a decade!) Unfortunately, the wind makes hearing complex in the early stages of the tape, listen closely to...
We Are Warriors
No matter what the outcome of yesterday’s hypothetical semi-final, although I suspect we may have been stiffed once again by a high performance program, our club always seems to realise that it is not the end of the road and life goes on. Not to the extent of; “show me a good loser and I’ll...
Continued Conjecture!
As per the header - pure conjecture!! Tricolor XV Selection Vs UBC BCRU Semi-final, Tomorrow. Thunderbird Stadium. #1 Loose Head Prop: Moderately tall fat lad, often aggressive when something obstructs way to bar, pie shop and occasionally a ruck. Does weights - no one knows why.#2...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
A City of Incredible Generosity When I moved to Victoria in 1971 there were many features of this beautiful place that impressed me. Over time there have been many more and one of those is the outstanding generosity of its people. This occurrence takes place especially for local charities...
A Matter of Conjecture
Well, had all been according to Hoyle, perhaps today we would be rejoicing in men’s first round playoff victories over Capilanos and Meralomas! Yesterday would have been the first of the playoff matches and admittedly, for that to have occurred in Premier play, end of league victories...
UNSUNG HERO - Off the Field - Brent Johnston
It’s Saturday. Must be a rugby day! How we wish. It is times such as these we are brought to realise how often we take things for granted. Since the amalgamation of Oak Bay Wanderers and Castaways Rugby to ensure survival, we propose the “cornerstone”, Brent Johnston, has far too often...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
TEN YEARS OF TALENTED TENS For a rugby club in B.C.’s Premier League to be a solid contender there needs to be a number of key components. Although CW has only claimed the prize on one occasion in this decade, with the exception of the 2015/16 season, the club has often been a contender as far...
Monday's Musings
Rugby – Cash-strapped Around the Globe! The Coronavirus has been and will be the cause of many small and some, large businesses going under. We alluded last week to those folk who have supported the CW cause and repeat the need to support those who support us wherever possible. Today, we...
Back To The Beginning
It’s Saturday. Must be a rugby day! How we wish. Instead, we’ll do our best to provide you with “something CW”. We have had some feedback to persist with the blogs to keep a wee measure of normalcy as we continue our lives in isolation. Today, compliments of Jim Grier, we take you back...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
A little levity from my favourite "piano mover"! Stay isolated and keep the...
Vale - Jason Chikites
Jason Chikites It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden passing of one of our CW Alumni. Jason Chikites passed away suddenly on March 27, 2020 at his home in Vernon BC. He was 45. “Chiks” was a prop with immense talent and skill and could beat defenders with a dummy, a chip kick or...
Wednesday's Ruck & Maul
Today we are providing another item to distract momentarily from the horrendous events and times we are seeing. Recently, we uploaded to our website, an udpated sponsor's list and levels of their support. Today, our heart breaks for these businesses and the myriad of others that...
CW Covid-19 Response Update
Message to CW Rugby Community from Matt Gordon, President of CW Rugby (Readers will note a number of updated messages, not the least being ALL club activities being suspended.) Current Situation On March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic as it continues...