Dear Canadian Rugby Foundation, <\/p>\n
On behalf of the Byrne Creek Community School, and the Byrne Creek rugby program we
\nwould like to express our sincere gratitude for your support with the start up of a rugby program
\nat the school. <\/p>\n
Through your generous contribution we were able to make the sport of rugby accessible
\nto 28 youth this past fall, during our bantam season of play. Those 28 youth made the district
\nfinals in their first year, narrowly losing out to local rivals Burnaby south. In addition to the fall,
\nwe have close to 80 athletes who have expressed interest in participating on the junior and senior
\nrugby teams this spring. The donation from the Canadian Rugby Foundation went towards the
\npurchase of playing kit for the program and its participants. <\/p>\n
As background for your donors, Byrne Creek Community School is located in the Edmonds
\nneigbourhood of South Burnaby. It is very much an \u201cinner-city school\u201d. Many of Byrne Creek\u2019s
\nstudents are refugees new to Canada from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan, Ghana,
\nTibet, and many more places. Many others, who are local, have their own problems that they
\nstruggle with outside of school. A large portion of the demographic falls under the category of
\nbeing low-income households, where extra-curriculars such as sports are not a possibility without
\nthe financial aid of organizations like yours. Rugby has had a phenomenal impact for the students
\nof Byrne Creek, especially for our more at-risk youth. <\/p>\n
Once again, thank you for your generous support! It has been the catalyst needed to get
\nrugby off the ground at Byrne Creek and ensure that it is a sustainable athletic offering at the
\nschool moving forward. Without your support the close to 100 youth would not have had access
\nto the sport of rugby which we all know and love. The future of rugby is bright at Byrne Creek! <\/p>\n
Regards, <\/p>\n
Mr. Moreno Stefanon
\nByrne Creek Chemistry & Sciences Teacher
\nByrne Creek Boys Rugby Coach
\nBCSSRU Vice President & Lower Mainland Zone Representative
\nMoreno.Stefanon@burnabyschools.ca <\/p>\n