We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Thomas Family Awards and George Jones Awards:
2023 GEORGE JONES AWARDS
George Jones Q.C. was well-known in both athletic and legal circles. His resume was lengthy and legendary and included appearances and successes at virtually every court level, fundraising, coaching, refereeing in many sports and at many levels.
George was born in Victoria. His father was an admiral and knew the value of discipline and hence George was sent to Brentwood College School at that time located in Mill Bay, he spent 1 year at Brentwood, the rest at Lakefield in Ontario.
From there George attended law school at UBC and married early and had 5 children. Graduation was achieved and a short career with Revenue Canada followed. Either or both Revenue Canada or George came to their senses and George then spent the next 50 years defending individuals in Tax Court and bailing out rugby players from various situations and occasionally and sporadically billing clients strictly on Robin Hood principles. Two more children followed together with countless loyal and loving friends. George’s roast in 2012 was attended by 300 people at the Empress and raised 50,000 for the George Jones scholarship.
One of George’s most ardent passions was for the sport of rugby and he was a co-founder and the first director of the Canadian Rugby Foundation.
Janelle Amyotte – University of Alberta
Janelle Amyotte
Janelle Amyotte is going into her last year at the University of Alberta and will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism. Janelle started playing rugby with the Strathcona Druids in Sherwood Park, Alberta, when she was 14 years old, after a successful career as a competitive gymnast. She joined the Green and Gold Rugby Academy in her grade 11 year and stayed with her green and gold roots as a varsity athlete with Pandas rugby team. Last year, she was the proud recipient of the Panda award. One of Janelle’s favourite rugby moments was helping her Pandas team win the Sluggit cup this year.
Janelle also has a passion for sport, and kids in sport. She spent her spring coaching high school rugby and her summer working with Rugby Alberta helping to organize the Alberta Regional Championships, Western Championships, and Alberta Summer Games. She is a firm believer in access to sport for kids, and would like to play a role in growing rugby in the future. Janelle is grateful for the opportunity to receive the George Jones Award.
Tanveer Chowdhury – University of Toronto
Tanveer Chowdhury
My name is Tanveer Chowdhury, but my friends and everyone else around me know me as Niloy. I am currently a Master of Teaching student at the University of Toronto with hopes of graduating in 2024, and I write this letter with the intention of applying for the George F. Jones Award Fund.
My contributions to rugby began from my time setting up the team at my local high school, where I also captained the team. I further contributed to rugby within the community by working with the Toronto-Inner City Rugby Foundation (TIRF) where I taught rugby to youth across the city. In addition to this, I have most recently coached at my old high school, Woburn CI, introducing the sport to students and getting them involved.
Ever since I began playing rugby, it has been a sport I have fallen in love with. While there were many trials and tribulations, I faced playing the sport, I have always come back to play and continue to keep playing the sport. As of right now, I am not able to play due to injuries, but I hope to be back as a player for my club for the TRU 2024 season. In addition to this, I also hope to be a World Rugby Level 2 coach who coaches local youth sides within Toronto. I hope that my past achievements and accomplishments qualify me for this scholarship, and I hope to hear back soon.
Kennedy Feasby – University of Guelph
Kennedy Feasby
My name is Kennedy Feasby, and I am a 4th year Human Kinetics student and a varsity rugby athlete at the University of Guelph. Rugby is more than just a game to me, it has given me a sense of belonging and community, celebrated my strength and grit as a female athlete, and instilled so many positive character traits that would allow me to become the best global citizen I could be. This scholarship grant would help support and fund my 2023/2024 university rugby season and age-grade team Canada camps.
Rugby has given me so many opportunities to get involved and give back to my community. During high school, I was given the opportunity to work with the mixed abilities rugby program based out of my home club the Oshawa Vikings. During my time at University I have volunteered at clinics for local
high school teams, growing the game for young female athletes. Furthermore, I was fortunate to help out with the Premier Sevens League rookie rugby clinic that was hosted in Washington D.C.
This summer I played on the U23 national Canadian team, won the Ontario Women’s League cup with the Guelph Redcoats Senior Women’s team, and I competed in 2 tournaments in the Premier 7’s league, winning the championship in Washington DC with the Loonies. Last season, I was named an
OUA All Star and a U SPORTS All Canadian. My future goals include being a rugby ambassador, representing Canada at the World cup and being a strong female rugby role model for our next generation.
Caelyn Huebner – University of Victoria
Caelyn Huebner
Caelyn is a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Health and Education student at the University of Victoria and like the award’s namesake, has played for James Bay Athletic Association, UVic, and the Crimson Tide. She recently began to broaden her rugby experience coaching at Esquimalt High School.
In high school she was significantly involved in her school’s community, participating in 7 sports, was involved in the school’s leadership program, volunteered in her school’s international student program, and helped start the “Best Buddies” club (a club which focuses on creating friendships between students with and without intellectual disabilities).
As Jen Roos her coach with the JBAA Senior Women’s team says, “Caelyn reminds me a lot of Courtney, whom I was fortunate enough to play with at UVIC. While not the biggest on the pitch, Caelyn plays with her heart and soul and the determination of someone three times her size. She is talented yet understated- leading our team with wisdom and commitment.
Said Cory Payne her coach at Esquimalt High School and the JBAA U16 girls team, “For the years that I coached Caelyn, she has been easily one of the most committed players that I have had the honour to coach. Her desire to be better and make the team better gave us the success we had in earning the Provincial school title.
Caelyn has always been reliable. This was especially evident when she had a major injury and still came to practices, games and events. Caelyn continued cheering on her teammates and taking part in any way so she could remain a part of the team. When Caelyn said she would be
somewhere or do something she would. Caelyn has always been eager to help the new players and encourage them to get better. She has a
natural teaching ability and it shows in her patience and acceptance of new players. I’ve leaned on Caelyn to be a leader because of her ability to model the inclusiveness of all players regardless of skill and or experience.
Caelyn has demonstrated her natural leadership and teaching skills these past two seasons while being my assistant coach with the high school team. She was an important role model to the players as well as instructing and guiding the team in all aspects of the game. Caelyn’s attributes
as a player and leader are what made me choose her as a mentor to the high school team. I really admire her approach to leadership and encouragement of all. Esquimalt placed 4th in the Province at last year’s school provincials and I truly believe Caelyn was a large part of that
success because of all the things listed above”.
Jack Vanderpost – Dalhousie University
Photo pending
Rugby goals and plans: Fresh onto the rugby scene in my final year of highschool, I quickly found a love for the intensity, athleticism, strategy, and comradery that this sport provides. My willingness to develop, and my prior athletic experience, along with support from teammates and coaches, allowed me to excel in my first season and earn the rookie of the year award. I have had the great fortune to be successful in many athletic endeavours, and I have always appreciated the potential others see in me. I want to pursue my next athletic opportunity and truly believe rugby is exactly what I am looking for. It is my hope to plays many years of rugby, beginning with the Dalhousie University men’s team and perhaps others clubs once I graduate.
While I have had moderate success in the sport thus far, and I understand the rigor and commitment it will take for me to get where I want to be in the world of rugby. Regardless of how this athletic endeavor turns out for me I am just beginning to see how incredible this sport is and I will be sure to encourage those younger than me to try it out sooner than I did.
Says Sean Hammond, Lakefield College School coach, “While Jack was new to the sport of rugby, his athleticism, game sense, and commitment to consistently improving this skills made him a valuable part of our team. Jack found a home in the starting seven rather quickly, using his size and speed to be a consistent threat on both offense and defense. Not only did he lead our team in scoring (averaging 1-2 tries per game), but he also was instrumental in our lineouts where he stole over 80% of the lineouts he jumped in. Jack’s physical contributions on the field, coupled with his understated leadership,
led to his receiving the Rookie of the Year award after a unanimous decision from the coaching staff.
While Jack is definitely new to the sport of rugby, he has great potential to continue to grow in the sport. He has a great background in team sports and now has begun to develop foundational rugby skills that pair well with his overall athleticism. I fully believe that given an opportunity to play rugby at the next level, Jack will prove to be an athlete who can be relied upon for dedication and hard work, and these attributes will help him develop into a strong rugby player at the university level.
2023 THOMAS FAMILY AWARDS
The Canadian Rugby Foundation has a number of awards which have been named after deserving people in the rugby community who have made significant contributions to our game. There is no family more deserving of this honour than the Thomas family. Their contributions to Canadian Rugby have been more significant than any other in the past. The Thomas Family’s initial pledge has also encouraged others to give back to the sport they love.
The Thomas family originates from Morriston, a small town in Wales. As a young engineer, Mr. Thomas decided to emigrate to Canada. He is, and always has been, very passionate about rugby. It is for this reason that the family decided to make this significant pledge to support the Foundation as a way of saying thank you to a country and sport that has given so much joy to the entire family. As a way of thanking the Thomas family for their extreme generosity to the Foundation and all of the various rugby projects they have supported over the years, the Foundation presents the Thomas Family Scholarship to be distributed annually to one or Canadian student playing the great game of rugby.
Matthew Amyotte – University of Alberta
Matthew Amyotte
My name is Matthew Amyotte. I am a 21-year-old fourth year student in a dual degree of Kinesiology and Education with a 3.3 GPA at the University of Alberta. I am a great candidate for the Thomas Family Award. Being involved in rugby since I was 11, I have had a lot of accomplishments, for example, playing U18 Team Canada for both 15’s and 7’s. I demonstrate my passion for rugby in every practice and game I partake in, whether it’s as a coach or a player.
Volunteering is a big part of my life. I volunteer at different events involving youth, including being in a classroom and coaching rugby. Through my experiences in the classroom, I have learned how to connect with kids of all backgrounds. Being a volunteer coach has been
rewarding because it has given me an opportunity to give back to not only the community, but also my club and the game that has given me so much.
My future goals as a player is to be a leader on the University of Alberta team and ultimately represent Canada at a senior men’s level. My goals as a coach and educator are to ensure every child has a chance to reach their full potential. My favourite part of coaching and
teaching is getting to know the children and being able to connect with them. Seeing them have fun, grow, and develop different skills that will help them succeed not only in rugby, but in life, is rewarding.
Laryssa Atamanchuk – University of Alberta
Laryssa Atamanchuk
Laryssa Atamanchuk is a first-year student at the University of Alberta who exhibits many qualities for this award.
As captain for the past two seasons of my school rugby team, I worked with my team to promote inclusion. Over half of our team were new to the sport, it was important to introduce them to each other and the game. I made sure to always build my team up; Conversations included me sharing things to accomplish during games, not criticizing any mistake players make. I had them create goals they wanted to work on achieving while playing, and would check with them after to emphasize how they can develop. I was fortunate to make the UofA rugby team and continue playing, and will stay involved through a club team both playing and volunteering my time.
I have been a soccer coach within the community for many years where I can share my passion for the sport with them. I have worked extremely hard for my education and learning. I plan to complete my undergraduate arts degree, then further my education in law school. My
goal is to inspire individuals to become leaders and while being a role model to look up to.
Sam Eiffler – Capilano University
Sam Eiffler
I believe I am the right candidate for the Thomas Family scholarship, as I embody the values and tenets of Mr. Grenville Thomas and of Canadian Rugby.
I discovered my passion for the sport in my senior year of high school at Sutherland Secondary, forming the first team since Covid-19 restrictions shut down the sport. It was a rough season, but introduced me to rugby, and I signed up immediately after for the Capilano RFC Men’s team. I quickly found a community and club that pushed me to grow as a player and a person, and I continue to develop as I play second row for the Men’s Premier Reserve team.
The Thomas Family scholarship would enable me to pursue academic studies and work towards a future in the city planning or legal department. Like Mr. Thomas, I understand the importance of community around rugby, as I’ve returned after graduating to help coach the Sutherland team.
Academically, I ended my first fall term in Good Academic Standing with a 3.78 GPA.
Going forward, I hope to fund and continue my schooling with a bachelor’s degree and a masters in law or city planning, while playing second row for the Capilanos, as my grandfather did before me.
Sophie McDonald – University of Ottawa
Sophie McDonald
I started playing rugby for my high school in Grade 10. Before then I didn’t know what the sport was, and what it could do for me. I went to my first practice and realized that I had found a new love for a sport that I didn’t know existed 24 hours prior. Unfortunately, our high school was not big enough to field a team and I felt like I lost something. A few years later, I was presented with the opportunity to try out for the University of Ottawa Gee Gees Women’s Rugby team. I was brought on and now two years later I look back at how far I’ve come as an athlete and more importantly as a person.
The effort that everyone on this team puts in, on and off the field is amazing to me. The rugby community is one like none other. It is one of the most accepting groups I’ve ever been a part of. Our team is committed to advocating for many social issues like the LGBTQ+ community, Black Lives Matter, and indigenous peoples of Canada. Our goal is to use our platform to create a safer and more inclusive community. The diversity and inclusion that the rugby community allows is very impactful. To become an athlete it is important to feel represented. Rugby is more than just a sport, it is a family.
Lane Morency – University of Ottawa
Lane Morency
I firmly believe that I would be an excellent candidate for the Thomas Family Award because I feel that I can be looked on as an excellent student and an outstanding citizen in the rugby community. I am a decorated athlete both in high school sports and extra-curricular sports, I was a model student during my time at LaSalle Secondary School receiving numerous awards at graduation and running student council for two years, and I was constantly volunteering and working hard to ensure that I played my part within my community to make it an amazing place
to live and play sports.
Throughout my years in the sport of rugby I have had countless amazing experiences, including participating in OFSAA, experiencing my first university training session, and playing my first Men’s game. Yet, despite all these enriching moments none of them compared to the experience of sharing the pitch with both of my brothers this summer, playing the game we all love. Rugby runs deep in the blood of all three of us having had our mother play in her university days, so I am passionate about continuing to stay active in the sport. I look forward to my brothers and parents rooting for me in my new colors of garnet and grey next year as I will continue my rugby journey at The University of Ottawa, taking everything, I learned from my high school team and my local Kinston Panthers Rugby Club with me.
