Rebecca is the 2016 winner of the Howard and Marina Gerwing Scholarship. She studies at UVic and plays club rugby for Cowichan. She represented the Vancouver Island Tide in 2015.Continue reading
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Brantford Harlequins RFC Charitable Fund
The Brantford Harlequins RFC Charitable Fund is comprised of 2 components, the Endowment Fund and the Capital Projects Accumulation Fund. 50% of each and every donation will be allocated to these two components. The Fund was established on October 29, 2019.
History
In July 1950, a notice appeared in the Toronto Star stating that “British Rugby” was about to become active again in the Toronto area and was asking players to join the Wanderers; the only club in Ontario. At that time, rugby in Ontario was relatively unknown and was only being played by a select group of men. Previously, attempts had been made to set-up leagues in the Toronto area, but somehow always ended in failure. Despite being comparative newcomers and with very few influential connections, the Jones brothers pressed on and called a meeting of friends and interested local soccer players. After the first meeting, George and Vince were convinced they had enough players to form a club; The Brantford Harlequin Rugby Football Club. On September 23rd, 1950, the Jones brothers were notified and the first official league game would take place in Brantford on September 30th against the newly formed Toronto Nomads. Then adversity struck. The newly recruited soccer players had an important game that could not be rescheduled and a couple of other players for unavoidable reasons could not play. The Harlequins were left with four players. A telegram was sent to the Nomads, not calling the game off, but with a message, “Don’t come to Brantford, we will come to Toronto.” So on that historic day, the 30th of September, 1950, the Brantford Harlequins showed up with four players to take on the Toronto Nomads. George and Vince figured that they could get enough players from the previous games that had been played ahead of them to field a full 15-player squad. They had figured correctly and had enough volunteers to make nearly two teams. The Harlequins lost their first game 16-8 but this did not foreshadow the entire season. In the following weeks, the soccer players returned and new players arrived. The Harlequins were fielding 15 players for every game. By season end, the Brantford Harlequins shocked the league by capturing the O.R.U. championship title with a three-point lead over the other five clubs. And so, the “Cinderella Club” that had to borrow kits, balls, players, cars, and anything else they needed, were champions.
Facilities
In the fall of 1975, the Brantford Harlequin Executive with the aid of George Jones purchased 39 acres of land in the northeast section of Brantford on Power Line Road. For years the Harlequins dreamed of having their own fields to play on and by the summer of 1976 two fields were constructed and landscaped. Three years later, in the summer of 1979, the Harlequins completed the construction of their clubhouse.
Over the past 35 years, the Harlequin facilities and grounds have undergone several additions, renovations, and improvements. At present, the Harlequins own and maintain 39 acres of bush and landscaped property, three regulation-size rugby fields, and a clubhouse containing four change rooms, showers, and washrooms: a concession and lounge area. In addition, there is a large parking area.
The Harlequin grounds and facilities are shared by the Senior Men, Senior Women, Junior, and Mini Rugby programs. The fields are also utilized part-time but the local high school rugby league, the regional representative Senior Men’s team for the Niagara Rugby Union, and local minor sports organizations.
The Endowment Fund
The Endowment Fund will accumulate permanent capital. This capital will generate interest that will be paid to the club each year for the expenses outlined below. The Brantford Harlequins RFC Foundation Representatives require that all payments be approved prior to the expense being incurred by the recipient. All approvals will be at the discretion of the Foundation Representatives and an Endowment Fund “Request For Funds” application must be completed by the recipient.
Annual guidelines for amounts and eligibility for receiving these funds will be published each January/February when it is known how much is available to be paid from The Endowment Fund. The Foundation Representatives will be responsible for formulating and publishing these guidelines each year.
1) Brantford Harlequins coach development and/or compensation
2) Brantford Harlequins member/player/coach support for Elite programs outside of the Brantford Harlequins RFC club program
3) Brantford Harlequins members who are referees are eligible for educational and development support as well as expenses related to refereeing at out of province Elite level events
The Capital Projects Accumulation Fund (CPAF)
The CPAF will accumulate capital that can be drawn upon to fund Brantford Harlequins RFC Executive Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee (Futures Committee) approved capital projects for the improvement of and expansion of the Brantford Harlequins RFC facilities. This includes but is not limited to the acquisition of real property. In order to be eligible for funds from the CPAF a project must have a cost of more than $20,000.00. This fund is not to be accessed for repairs and maintenance.
USE THE FORM BELOW TO DONATE TO THE BRANTFORD HARLEQUINS RFC CHARITABLE FUND:
Monty Heald – a great Rugby Man and an important participant in Canadian Rugby.
Monty emigrated from England in 1968 and became active in local rugby from the outset. Having played for the Hamilton Hornets for four years, he became a Founding Member of the Burlington Centaurs Rugby Club in 1973. He served this club well, becoming its first Captain, President of the Club, and eventually a Life Member. His early contributions to the game continued in Ontario as he went serve as a Director of the Senior Team for the Niagara Rugby Union and a selector for the Ontario Rugby Union for two years (1979/80). They were to be an indication of the scope on his impact across all aspects of the game in Canada.
In 1981, Monty became a National Selector and chaired the Canadian Rugby Union Selection Committee for the period 1983 to 1994. In 1984 and 1985 he was appointed as the Manager of the Canadian Sevens team which played in the Hong Kong Sevens. In 1984, he was appointed as the Manager of the Canadian team and he served in this position for Can-Am matches in Chicago (1984), Tucson (1986) and Seattle (1990). His managerial career was highlighted by the seven match tour to Australia, in 1985, during which the Test matches in Sydney and Brisbane represented the first ever meetings between Canada and Australia. Monty was also the manager of the first Canadian team which participated in the CANZ (Canada, Argentina/New Zealand) series (1989) taking the National team to Argentina and New Zealand.
Monty was elected to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Rugby Union in 1986, serving as Director of the Men’s National Team for the period 1986 – 1991. In 1991, he was elected as President and he served in this capacity for eight years. He led Rugby Canada through the game’s period of remarkable change at the end of the twentieth century seeing the number of international fixtures involving Canada’s Senior Men’s team increase by 160% and a tremendous increase in the number of domestic players, including the explosive growth of the women’s game. In 1995 the Pan America Rugby Association (PARA) was formed and Monty served as Rugby Canada’s first representative including two years as PARA’s President. He served the national organization for twenty years, finishing his service, in 2000, as a Director.
Monty never lost sight of the game on the ground and was often available to help behind the scenes and support of his colleagues, which included all members of the rugby community in Canada. With his business partner, Lexie Tynan, their company, Monilex Sports, supported rugby teams of at all levels. A lasting legacy is evident in the establishment of the Monilex Cup, the Canadian Interuniversity Sport’s National championship for Women’s rugby. Beyond working with the universities during the lead up to the inaugural event, Monilex also helped finance the very first Championship game in 1999, which featured McMaster and Guelph. The event is now held annually and represents a primary elite competition for women in Canada aspiring to the national team.
Monty came to the rescue to provide equipment on more than one occasion, when the Women’s National XV Team needed help. In 2005, when Canada was hosting the Canada Cup in Ottawa, a tournament for Women’s National teams, one of the teams dropped out at the last minute. To fill the schedule, Rugby Canada decided to field two teams. Monty stepped up to supply the required additional set of National jerseys for this second team, giving those players a new kit to play in the event. Even with the short notice, Monty came through with flying colors. Three years prior, in circumstance of greater pressure, he received a call from the manager of Canada’s 2002 Women’s Rugby World Cup…from the team bus in Barcelona as the team prepared for the event. It had been discovered that all kit had to be clean, only country and World Cup cresting was allowed. Canada’s jersey had a sponsors crest on the jersey. Without hesitation, Monty made arrangements for a refreshed set of strip and for its delivery to Spain by loyal supporters from Canada.
An account of Monty Heald would not be complete without a reflection of his joie de vivre. Roxanne Butler, Manager of the Women’s National Team, related a story of Monty being at the Women’s World Cup in Holland when he was the Rugby Canada President. “There was a Banquet. We were accommodated in a big tent type room and seated at tons of picnic tables. The night got very boisterous and many teams started dancing on the tops of the tables…. Well, so did our leader. Worried me a little at the time but there were no injuries and it showed his enjoyable character.”
The organizers of the Monty Heald National Women’s Fund have taken this opportunity to recognize and honour Monty for his many, many contributions to Rugby in our country. Monty was exemplary in his dedication to the game at all levels. He was active in the Rugby community until 2014, coaching at the Waterdown High School, serving as Chair of Rugby Canada’s Past Presidents committee, Chair of the Hall of Fame Committee and member of the Annual Awards Committee of Rugby Canada. Monty was inducted into the Ontario Rugby Union Hall of Fame in 2004 and in 2013 Rugby Canada inducted him as its second Honorary Life Member. He was a tremendous ambassador for our sport, representing the Canadian rugby community at local, provincial, national and international levels. We are honoured to still be working with him in promoting and supporting the game
Thunder Indigenous Rugby Fund
The Thunder Indigenous Rugby Fund was relaunched in 2021 with the ambitious goal of raising a $1 million endowment fund to among other things, support a tour of New Zealand to connect with the Maori Rugby community. Due to COVID complications in New Zealand, this plan has been deferred, and in its place is a Summer 2022 tour of Oregon and California on the way to the Los Angeles Invitational Tournament, held in conjunction with the HSBC LA 7s.
View our latest brochure in .pdf format
Program Description: The Thunder continue to soar, promoting the great game of rugby to Indigenous communities in Canada. The Thunder focus on Sevens Rugby, an exciting version of rugby which is now recognized as an Olympic Sport.
Goals: Thunder Rugby aims to offer a structured vehicle to promote the game of rugby to Indigenous communities and to identify potential high performance Indigenous athletes. Thunder Rugby hopes to provide Indigenous youth with improved opportunities for advanced education and personal growth through the connections and values of rugby.
Targets:
- Fund an annual rugby tour for Indigenous Youth, starting with NZ in 2022
- Develop a full-time Thunder Rugby Development officer position
- Continue to offer Summer Rugby Camps for Indigenous Youth
- Showcase Indigenous athletes at 7s tournaments
- Grow programs for U18, U16 and U14 Indigenous youth
- Introduce rugby to Indigenous communities
- Expand coaching staff and facilitate coach development.
Website www.thunderrugby.ca
Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThunderIndigenousRugby/
Twitter at twitter.com/ThunderRugbyCA
USE THE FORM BELOW TO DONATE TO THE THUNDER INDIGENOUS RUGBY FUND:
Ciel Arbour-Boehme – George Jones Scholarship 2015
Congratulations to Ciel Arbour-Boehme selected for the 2015 George Jones Scholarship.Continue reading
Brittany Sims – George Jones Scholarship 2015
Congratulations to Brittany Sims selected for the 2015 George Jones Scholarship.Continue reading
Hannah Cahill – Courtenay Taaffe Memorial Scholarship 2015
Congratulations to Hannah Cahill selected for the 2015 Courtenay Taaffe Memorial Scholarship.Continue reading
McKinley Hunt – Thomas Family Scholarship 2015
Congratulations to McKinley Hunt selected for the 2015 Thomas Family Scholarship.Continue reading
Castaway Wanderers Fund
The Castaways Wanderers Fund was established on March 29, 2007.
The Castaways Wanderers Rugby Football Club was formed in 1989 the result of the amalgamation of the Oak Bay Wanderers (founded 1912) and the Castaway (founded 1965) Rugby organizations.
The Club proudly displays BC Championship banners from 1999 to 2002, three consecutive seasons of interlock play involving Vancouver Island and Mainland clubs – a feat accomplished by only one other BC Club – and another BC Championship in 2011.
Whether it is via Club tours of visiting teams of all ages, the National Senior Men’s Team members, players from coast to coast and internationally, or CW players currently on professional contracts, the Castaway Wanderers name and brand is known across Canada and around the world.
Pride of Program has CW looking towards the future, building on our history, continuing to improve and maintaining our status as one of the top rugby clubs in British Columbia and in Canada. To us it is about more than just eighty minutes on the pitch. The CW Rugby Program accentuates the whole rugby experience. We are a club with a foundation based on respect and honour for the game of rugby and for the manner in which the game is to be played. We are committed to the healthy development of our young players and for the people who contribute their time freely because of their love of the game and for the CW club.
Castaway Wanderers Rugby Football Club, is a member of the Discovery Street Sports Club in Victoria, BC.CWRFC is a member of the VIRU, BCRU and CRU and fields teams in Men’s Premier, First and Third Divisions along with Under 18, Under 16, Under 14 Boys and Under 16 Girls in Junior Divisions and a flourishing Mini Rugby program.
The Discovery Street Sports Club is located at 714 Discovery Street in Victoria. Home games are played at Windsor Park, 1200 Newport Avenue, Victoria or at Carnarvon Park, 2800 Henderson Road, Oak Bay.
USE THE FORM BELOW TO DONATE TO THE CASTAWAYS WANDERERS FUND:
Gerald McGavin Coaching Award Fund Reaches $200K
The Gerald McGavin Coaching Award fund has reached $200K which is good news as about 4% is available to spend annually on the award. This means it can now fund on a permanent basis 2 coaches to go down to NZ every year.
In 2013 Rameses Langston was selected for the trip to New Zealand, he was the BC U18 coach at the time. He is now the head coach at UBC where he led the Thunderbirds to a BC Premier title last season
In 2014 both Shane Thompson and Ken Goodland went to New Zealand to spend time with the Hurricanes Super Rugby franchise.
The BC Rugby Union administers the selection process and accepts nominations normally up to the third week of March. More information on the nomination process and deadlines can be found on the bcrugby.com website.
About the Gerald McGavin Coaching Award:
The award recognizes rugby coaches from British Columbia who play a significant role in shaping young athletes both on and off the field. Gerald McGavin is a former BC athlete who represented his province against world-renowned sides including the Barbarians, Australia, British Lions and New Zealand Universities. Now a Member of both the Order of Canada and Order of BC, McGavin created the Award because of his love for the sport and to acknowledge the role rugby played in shaping his life. Past recipients include Rameses Langston, Jeff Williams, Martin Jones, Jason Young, Adam Roberts and Tom Larisch.
