CW Board of Directors

 Past President - Karl Klashinsky

Karl has been around the club for almost 20 years, but only because he gave up on playing when it was clear he was never going to be selected, so he shifted his focus and attention to volunteer activities. He graduated from U-Vic (B.Sc and M.Sc), and recently retired after working in the tech industry for 35 years. Karl (or Klash, as he is known) has a passion for rugby, and for CW, and hopes to see the club continue to grow in depth.

Acting Vice President - Rob Peel

(see below)

Director at Large - Boy's Youth Rugby - Byron Mcallister

Byron has moved into the role of Junior Boys Co-Ordinator overseeing the development of the U15, U17 & U19 programs. With two sons in the CW program, Byron brings a personal interest and passion for the continued growth of the boy’s junior program.  He took over during summer and jumped in with both feet, leading the Return to Play protocols for the boy's program which included his company’s donation of necessary PPE and sanitizer ! This past, non-Covid year has seen great growth in the Boy's programs, returning them to their former strengths on the Vancouver Island and Provincial scene.

Director at Large – Girl’s Youth Rugby – Rob Peel

Rob is currently serving the office of Acting Vice President as well.

With two daughters in the CW Mini and Jr programs Rob volunteered to step into the role of Jr Girls Director in the fall of 2022. A graduate of UVic, Rob is a 28-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, with experience in organizational leadership and project management. His rugby experience is limited to playing Army rugby with 1 PPCLI and three years with the St Albert RFC’s 3rd Div. team. Presently, in between rugby injuries, he occasionally practices & plays with the Ebb Tide and CW’s Islanders. Rob is committed to carry-on and improve CW’s legacy of being the leader in girls’ youth rugby on Vancouver Island and BC. The main effort will be the growth of the program by the attraction and development of player athletes and coaching staff, while continually promoting girl’s and women’s rugby at all levels of competition.

Director at Large - Mini Rugby - Rodney Fraser

Rod grew up in Nanaimo before heading to Europe seeking adventure. He lived, worked and played rugby in France for a number of years before moving to the UK with his now wife, Victoria who is from England. They lived in London for a number of years before moving to Tunbridge Wells in southeast England where their children Sebastian and Isla were born. Rod coached youth rugby at TWRFC for 4 years before he and his family relocated to Victoria in 2021. Rod currently coaches U12 boys where his son, Seb, plays and is passionate about helping create an inclusive, safe, and enjoyable environment that is based on a strong rugby club community.

Director At Large - Brandon Gerhardt

 As one of the few Victoria-born members of CW, Brandon began his "career" in the Junior program under the tutelage of Roger Robinson, Ken Goodland, and Seamus Gay. Graduating to the senior men's side in 2008, Brandon "The Queen" experienced many highs and lows with the club, as well as personal achievements, and failures to match. With large boots to fill, courtesy of Riley Ilnicki's long time at this station, Brandon's primary goal will be to build upon the framework established for keeping the club connected off the field, and competitive on the field.

Director At Large - Kelsey McKinnnon

Director At Large - Gareth Rees

Gareth enjoyed his first organised rugby practice at Windsor Park under the guidance of Don Burgess c. 1977. He is very much a product of the Victoria School system, Castaways, and the CW Rugby community.

He completed his postgraduate studies in at Keble College, Oxford in England before featuring in the top European professional rugby leagues in France, England and Wales, winning championships and scoring titles along the way. Gareth along with many CW Players, was the backbone of Canada’s international team for 14 years. He won 55 caps and played in 4 Rugby World Cups. Gareth was the first Canadian inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame (2011) and is the first and only rugby player in Canada’s Sports Hall of fame (2014).

Gareth and his wife Denise have two sons Guy and Lleyton. He is currently Director of Strategic Partnerships at Rugby Canada.

 
BOARD NON-VOTING ATTENDEES

The Executive meets monthly, either at a Director's or full Board level.  We are always open to ideas, not just ideas but some volunteer time to back them up. 

CW is a members' club,  from  eights to eighties.

ONE CLUB