CRC STARTS WITH TYEE VS WOLFPACK TOMORROW

Friday, August 17, 2012 - Submitted by Wolf Pack Communications

The quest for the McTier Cup start Saturday August 18th, when the Prairie Wolf Pack host the Pacific Tyee at Calgary Rugby Park kick off at 6:00pm MST.

The Wolf Pack, lead by Andrew Tiedemann and Nick Blevins, both veterans of the Canada’s National Senior Men’s Team, are looking forward to a fast wide open game. Other notable players of the 22 named for Saturdays game are Scott Franklin, Andrew Cho and Josh Hart, who has just competed for Canada U20 in the World Trophy tournament.

The Pacific Tyee are looking to start off their inaugural with a win against their Western rival. With a roster that that includes U20 player Clayton Meeres as well as several new faces to the BC CRC based team, the Tyee hope that their speed and endurance will allow them to have an edge in their season opener.

Both teams will battle again on August 25th in a rematch at Calgary Rugby Park at 6:30pm MST, but there is no doubt both squads are soley focused on coming out on top in this first match of the 2012 CRC season.

Wolf Pack Line Up
1. Tyler Hawes Canucks/Bow Valley Grizzlies
2. Andrew Tiedemann ‘C’ Castaway Wanderers/St. Albert RFC
3. Scott Franklin Castaway Wanderers/Regina Campion Grads
4. Eric Lopatinsky Calgary Hornets
5. Spencer Massiah Calgary Hornets
6. Aaron Peace Calgary Canucks
7. Brennan Daku Regina Campion Grads
8. Clay Panga Calgary Hornets
9. Gordon McRorie Calgary Hornets
10. Christian Wolff Calgary Saints
11. Adam Bontus St. Albert RFC
12. Mozac Samson Calgary Saints
13. Nick Blevins Calgary Hornets
14. Ian Shoults Calgary Irish
15. Evan Thomas Edmonton Lep/Tigers
16. Ryan Ackerman Burnaby Lake/Regina Campion Grads
17. Andrew Cho Calgary Irish
18. John Anderson Calgary Hornets
19. Bruno Payette Calgary Hornets
20. James Buchanan Calgary Hornets
21. Josh Hart Cowichan Rugby
22. Brennan Marcoux Saskatoon Wild Oats


Coach – Col Jeffs
Asst. Coach – Graeme Moffat
Manager – Jim Kazakoff
Asst. Manager – Jo Reinbold
Athletic Therapist – Rebecca Spiers

2012 Pacific Tyee Starting Line Up
1. Toby BERG
2. Micha GOVORCHIN
3. Cole RACINE
4. Will CAMPBELL
5. Nathan MANTLE
6. Luke CAMPBELL
7. Alex BOYD
8. Callum MORRISON (C)
9. Matt YANAGIYA
10. Pat KAY
11. Cameron KNOWLES
12. Mike FUAILEFAU
13. Brodie HENDERSON
14. Clayton MEERES
15. Conrad RYBKOWSKI

16. Noah BARKER*
17. Andrew LACKNER*
18. Scott MACKAY*
19. Aaron FLAGG
20. Thyssen DE GOEDE
21. Cody ROCKSON
22. Caleb HANSEN

Coach - John MacMillan
Manager - Todd Silverthorn

From the Editor's Desk - Summer 2012


Tyee Harpooned in Alberta; Changes in National U20 Management; Wish the National 7s Team Success on Monday Evening; BCRN Stuff

[ed. comments below]
posted Aug 18 2012

Tyee Harpooned

Rugby Canada’s Pacific Tyee team had a difficult time in their first CRC game losing 64-19 to the Wolfpack, it was 33-7 at the half. It looks like the BCRU made the right decision in not lending the BC Bears name to the CRC team. The BC Bears need to be represented by a BC Premier level team, the type that defeated Russia when they visited. This team was mostly a BC Tier 2 and U20 team and is run by Rugby Canada. As mentioned many times before, for BC to be fully involved the competition has to occur during the BC rugby season, September to May and needs buy in from top BC Premier clubs like James Bay and Capilano (the two finalists from last season). It’s going to be a difficult summer season for John MacMillan and company. The only home game in September against Ontario should be a better contest as there will likely be a few capped players on the field.

Change in U20 Management

We’ve been hearing rumours of changes in the U20 structure which could include a coaching change. No official word yet but there’s enough information coming in from various sources to indicate an announcement will be imminent. The change is needed as Canada’s performance at the U20 level has not been satisfactory in recent years, all the more apparent since our southern rivals USA won the tournament last year and have been promoted to the big leagues. These changes are probably a year late in coming but that’s the way Rugby Canada management rolls, cautious and reactive, not proactive.

National 7s Team

I got in a little hot water from coaching staff when I reported on last week’s practice, indicating it wasn’t “under pressure” conditions. Apparently they had just finished the high intensity stuff and I had come in late. No worries, this Monday at 6pm the team will be ramping it up before they leave for Ottawa, with some full contact action. It would be a good time for fans to come out and wish them well. The practice is at the field adjacent to Bear Mountain stadium, I believe it’s called Goudy Field, about 100 metres away (see map below). The NACRA tournament, or parts of it, apparently will be streamed online, again nothing definite from Rugby Canada yet but that's the "word on the street".



BCRN Stuff

Every year we like to get some merchandise made up for contests and giveaways. We'll likely have the MVP hoodies going again this year but we've returned to something from years past and that's mugs, 20oz mugs to be exact (see video below). If you're at the 7s practice on Monday at 6pm (Goudy Field) and can identify which Canada player has the most iRB 7s series points you'll get a BCRN mug. We're only giving away two so the first two adults with the right answer win. For those too young to be walking around with 20oz beverage mugs we have some DTH player cards (although he's not around to sign them this time, but he'll be back).

BCRN 20oz Mugs (beverage not included)

WOLFPACK DOWN TYEE IN OPENER

Sunday, August 19, 2012 - Submitted by RC Communications

With the 2012 Canadian Rugby Championship season opening this past weekend, fans got the chance to see a brand new rivalry begin out west, as the season opened with the Prairie Wolf Pack taking on brand new Pacific Tyee, playing out of Langford, BC, at Calgary Rugby Park in Calgary, AB on Saturday.

The match saw the Wolf Pack take the lead early on. With trys from Ian Schoults, Gordon McRorie and Nick Blevins, the Wolf Pack were up 19-0 half way through the first half. The story of the game would be Christian Wolff, who would end the game with seven completed conversions. The Tyee would push back during the first half, with a try from starting #15 Conrad Rybkowski, which was converted by Patrick Kay, one of two on the night for Kay. The Wolf Pack's Co-Captain Nick Belvins would respond, however, followed up by Christian Wolff punching in a try of his own to finish off the half.

The second half would again see the Wolf Pack put on a offensive strong performance with try from Mozac Samson, a second try for Ian Schoults, two tries from Clay Panga and James Buchanan's try would cap off the game for the hungry Wolf Pack. The Tyee never gave up in the second however, as both Matt Yanagiya and Brodie Henderson would put tries up on the board.

When the final whistle was blown, the Prairie Wolf Pack came out on top of the season opener against the Pacific Tyee by a final score of 64-19.

With both squads trying to shake off a bit of rust in the first match of the season, we expect to see much more from this new western rivalry as the two teams will again go head to head this Saturday, August 25th at Calgary Rugby Park for a rematch that kicks off at 6:30pm MST.

In other action this weekend, the Rock will travel to Oakville, Ontario where both the Rock and the Ontario Blues will look to open their seasons with a win, kick off at 4:30pm EST.


Match Sheet
Prairie Wolf Pack vs. Pacific Tyee

FIRST HALF
4:56 Wolf Pack Try Ian Schoults
11:10 Wolf Pack Conversion Christian Wolff
14:40 Wolf Pack Try Gordon McRorie
15:42 Wolf Pack Conversion Christian Wolff
18:31 Wolf Pack Try Nick Blevins
25:49 Tyee Try Conrad Rybkowski
26:30 Tyee Conversion Patrick Kay
32:51 Wolf Pack Try Nick Blevins
34:13 Wolf Pack Conversion Christian Wolff
40:30 Wolf Pack Try Christian Wolff
41:30 Wolf Pack Conversion Christian Wolff

SECOND HALF
43:30 Wolf Pack Try Mozac Samson
50:49 Wolf Pack Try Ian Scholts
51:30 Wolf Pack Conversion Christian Wolff
58:10 Wolf Pack Try Clay Panga
59:00 Wolf Pack Conversion Christian Wolff
60:45 Tyee Try Matt Yanagiya
66:45 Wolf Pack Try Clay Panga
66:50 Tyee Try Brodie Henderson
70:00 Tyee Conversion Patrick Kay
78:00 Wolf Pack Try James Buchanan
78:39 Wolf Pack Conversion Christian Wolff

TEAM 1st 2nd FINAL
Wolf Pack 33 31 64
Pacific Tyee 7 12 19

FINAL SCORE: Wolf Pack 64 Pacific Tyee 19


Wolf Pack Line Up
1. Tyler Hawes Canucks/Bow Valley Grizzlies
2. Andrew Tiedemann ‘C’ Castaway Wanderers/St. Albert RFC
3. Scott Franklin Castaway Wanderers/Regina Campion Grads
4. Eric Lopatinsky Calgary Hornets
5. Spencer Massiah Calgary Hornets
6. Aaron Peace Calgary Canucks
7. Brennan Daku Regina Campion Grads
8. Clay Panga Calgary Hornets
9. Gordon McRorie Calgary Hornets
10. Christian Wolff Calgary Saints
11. Adam Bontus St. Albert RFC
12. Mozac Samson Calgary Saints
13. Nick Blevins Calgary Hornets
14. Ian Shoults Calgary Irish
15. Evan Thomas Edmonton Lep/Tigers
16. Ryan Ackerman Burnaby Lake/Regina Campion Grads
17. Andrew Cho Calgary Irish
18. John Anderson Calgary Hornets
19. Bruno Payette Calgary Hornets
20. James Buchanan Calgary Hornets
21. Josh Hart Cowichan Rugby
22. Brennan Marcoux Saskatoon Wild Oats


Coach – Col Jeffs
Asst. Coach – Graeme Moffat
Manager – Jim Kazakoff
Asst. Manager – Jo Reinbold
Athletic Therapist – Rebecca Spiers

2012 Pacific Tyee Starting Line Up
1. Toby BERG
2. Micha GOVORCHIN
3. Cole RACINE
4. Will CAMPBELL
5. Nathan MANTLE
6. Luke CAMPBELL
7. Alex BOYD
8. Callum MORRISON (C)
9. Matt YANAGIYA
10. Pat KAY
11. Cameron KNOWLES
12. Mike FUAILEFAU
13. Brodie HENDERSON
14. Clayton MEERES
15. Conrad RYBKOWSKI

16. Noah BARKER*
17. Andrew LACKNER*
18. Scott MACKAY*
19. Aaron FLAGG
20. Thyssen DE GOEDE
21. Cody ROCKSON
22. Caleb HANSEN

Coach - John MacMillan
Manager - Todd Silverthorn

Rugby Tours 2012


Capilano Touring to Spain and France: Aug 16th to Sept 3rd

[ed. comments below]
posted Aug 19 2012

Who doesn’t love a rugby tour, it’s something special to rugby, a great team bonding adventure. The Premier champions Capilano are off to Spain and France where they’ll play three games, one in Spain and two in France. They played their first game on Saturday in Spain (no word on the result) and return September 3rd. They’ll also stop in Clermont to catch up with former Capilano player Jamie Cudmore. There were some interesting comments from Capilano coach Tom Larisch in a North Shore News article.

"I don't think any club in B.C., or very few, have been on a tour for decades," said elite team head coach Tom Larisch, the tour's organizer. "Our club hasn't been on a tour outside of North America for 25 years. The last time a team went was a group of guys went in 1987 to the first World Cup. It's been a long time."

There haven't been a lot of BC club tours lately. The Over 40 Old Boys probably tour a lot, as well as high school teams but not so much the clubs. The Ebb Tide have toured to NZ and France over the last four years, Velox went to Costa Rica two years ago and I had heard rumours of James Bay going to Newfoundland this fall and then there's the mini long-weekend tours to Vegas, Edmonton, Calgary and Williams Lake but there's not too many 3 week tours at the club level. So good luck to the Caps on their trip, have fun and we'll see if there's a repeat in the cards at the Premier level.

You can view their full tour itinerary online.

I can think of some great possible tours in the coming years:

- 2013 Eastern Europe finishing up at the 7s World Cup in Moscow June 28th
- 2014 Western Europe around the Amsterdam 7s in mid-May
- 2015 England and Wales finishing up at the XVs World Cup September 16th
- 2016 South America finishing up at the Rio Olympics August 5th

Of course if you're looking for a press officer I'm available, it will be material for my upcoming book, "The Best Tours I Couldn't Remember"

Recap of the Wolfpack vs Tyre match.



http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsl ... page=63239

Tidbits from the B.C. rugby news, glad to see that they are already throwing the Pacific Tyre under the bus. Also, it looks like Mike Shelley might not be out of the woods yet.



http://bcrugbynews.com/show_news.cfm?ID=796

They've got to Mark???

REVIEW OF THE 2012 JUNIOR WORLD RUGBY TROPHY

Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - Submitted by RC Communications

After the National U20 Men’s team completed their 2012 Junior World Rugby Trophy campaign, as is standard practice, a review panel was brought together to analyze all aspects of the program and plan for the program’s future.

The panel, consisting of General Manager Rugby Operations and Performance, Mike Chu, National Men’s Program Manager, Gareth Rees, former Chairman of the Rugby Canada Board of Directors, Rick Bourne, Director of Rock Rugby, Dr. Pat Parfrey, went through a thorough review process for the entire program, including coaches, managers a focus group and survey report from the players themselves.

The purpose of the review was to examine what was done well, and what could be improved for 2013.The results of the team in the build-up, and at the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy (JWRT) were noted as disappointing. However, this was not a reflection of the extensive work that those involved put into this campaign. The player feedback on staff was very positive and their experience of centralization was also excellent. Feedback on medical staff was excellent, and the whole management team dealt well with any player issues during the tournament in an efficient manner.

Selection was discussed at length and it was noted that the newly implemented CRC U19 competition assisted in the process,. However, there remains a lot of work to establish a network of trusted selectors across the country to ensure that talented players are not missed. In addition, cross-over athletes are another group that requires focus in order to find players with the requisite physical capabilities to play international rugby.

The preparation period consisted of several distinct phases. The initial phase involved centralized players, followed by test matches against Romania and USA. These were positive parts of the build-up, and were used by the coaches to trial players and test combinations. There was some feedback that some of the players required more game-time during this period. With the withdrawal of the Georgian tests, the team was centralized for five weeks in the lead up to tournament. All Blacks Skills Coach Mick Byrne was a positive addition to the program in this period.

At tournament the team struggled to close out tight games. Defence was a very disappointing aspect, particularly as the team scored enough points to win each game, but let up defensively too often.

The panel has recommended that Mike Shelley focus on the player development and identification aspect of his role, and that a new U20 Head Coach be appointed. While the U20 Coaching position will be part time based on a small honourarium, strong leadership will be required to drive and elevate this program. Current NSMT 15s Head Coach Kieran Crowley would take a far more hands on role with the team, helping to drive technical and tactical work, as well as developing team culture to more closely reflect what happens at NSMT level. The appointment process for coaching and management staff will happen in the next few months.

Review of the U20's season, looks like Mike Shelley is out and Kieran Crowley will be given a greater role with the side.



http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsl ... page=63299

So it was the coach's fault, then.

In some ways it has to be. No way you guys should have guys like McCann and Paris as well as others good enough to be playing RCSL and be coming in 6th in the JWRT.

Agree, it was clear that we had the talent, it was our set pieces and defense that cost us most of those games. He needed to go.

Our junior squads have not kept pace with other countries at this level. The last time we had a decent junior squad Buck Stobart was the captain.

there remains a lot of work to establish a network of trusted selectors across the country to ensure that talented players are not missed. In addition, cross-over athletes are another group that requires focus in order to find players with the requisite physical capabilities to play international rugby

Amateur Sports Coverage on TV


Whatever Happened to the Canadian Amateur Sports Network and CBC Sports Plus

posted Aug 21 2012
[ed. comments below]

This article started as I was wondering about the possible TV coverage of the North American/Caribbean rugby 7s tournament this weekend. The tournament is in Ottawa and will serve as the qualifier for the World Cup of Rugby 7s taking place in Moscow next year. With only a few days left to go nothing has been mentioned about TV coverage. Rugby Canada the national body responsible for promoting rugby in Canada has been mute on the subject. It's possible there will be a webcast of some games but even that hasn't been announced yet. It got me thinking about the subject of amateur sports coverage in Canada, particularly on national TV.

Around the time of the 2008 Olympics there was a movement to start a sports network that would provide TV coverage of amateur sports. It was spearheaded by Richard Pound who was at one time the vice-president of the IOC. The following is a press release from January 2008.

"TORONTO/MONTREAL, January 30, 2008 – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) today unveiled details of its application for groundbreaking English and French amateur sport television networks, which would be a first in Canada if approved. The proposed Canadian Amateur Sports Network (CASN) and le Réseau du sport amateur canadien (RSAC) would provide much-needed exposure and funding for both Olympic and non-Olympic sports.

“The opportunity here is to provide a service that fills a programming niche that exists today,” says CASN/RSAC chair and International Olympic Committee member Richard Pound. “Between Olympic Games it is as if there are no Canadian athletes. Our networks will bring more sports and more young Canadians to the attention of Canadians.”

“The Canadian Olympic Committee has long recognized the need for dramatically increased television coverage of Canadian amateur sport on a consistent and regular basis,” said COC Chief Executive Officer Chris Rudge. “These networks would finally bring our athletes into the spotlight and also motivate young people everywhere in Canada to get up out of their seats and engage in sport and a healthy lifestyle."

The applications were formally submitted by the COC and its partners to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in early December. The proposed national digital television networks would each focus solely on Canadian amateur sport 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allowing Canadians to watch amateur athletes compete in regional, national and international events in both Olympic and non-Olympic sports.

The applications ask for mandated distribution of the networks on the basic digital service of all Cable and DTH Satellite carriers, and a mandated wholesale subscription rate of 60 cents per household per month (in geographic areas that are consistent with its broadcast language).

The proposed networks would contribute more than $100 million to amateur sport over the first seven years of operation and would continue to contribute sustainable funding to the sport community after that period.

The COC is hopeful that public hearings on the applications will take place in the near future and a CRTC decision will be rendered as soon as possible after the hearings.

Full details surrounding the CASN/RSAC applications can be found at the newly-launched website www.casn-rsac.ca.

It's difficult to follow the progress of the application beyond 2010, their website is long gone. The last information I could find was in 2010 and the CRTC had not even addressed the application in that 2 year period. This was from an article in 2010, two years after the initial application.

"The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) continues to await the processing of its applications for two amateur sports television networks by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Committee (CRTC). Applications for the English language “Canadian Amateur Sports Network” and French language “Reseau du sport amateur canadien” were submitted in December 2007.

Despite the delays, the COC remains committed to successfully launching both networks and confident that its applications will be granted. The strong case for approving the broadcast license can be found at www.olympic.ca/en/programs/canadian-ama ... ts-network.

“The need for such a network has never been greater,” said Marcel Aubut, president-elect of the COC. “As we watch the most widely televised sporting event in Canada’s history, the irony is underlined. Outside of the Olympic Games, the majority of Canada’s amateur athletes and sports receive virtually no television coverage at all.”

After 2010 any news about the Canadian Amateur Sports Network appears to have vanished, it's google footprint gone. Now that 2012 has seen another Olympics go by, is it time to resurrect the idea and have a TV channel dedicated to amateur sports? It's virtually impossible to get the attention of the major sports networks to cover amateur sports in Canada.

CBC had also pursued their own application although much more modest in intent, they proposed a sports channel with 25% amateur content called CBC Sports Plus. Again the last news about this initiative was in 2010, found on a website called sportingmadness.ca.

"...the long-anticipated CBC Sports Plus digital sports channel not only won't be launching this year, it may not launch at all... The really disappointing thing about this is that it seems the Canadian Olympic Committee's proposed amateur sports network (which I also wrote about in the first piece) is also dead in the water; its website hasn't been updated in over a year."

The CRTC actually approved the CBC Sports Plus channel but it looks like CBC didn't take it any further. Looking through the CRTC decisions I see there was even approval for a National Lacrosse Network in 2006 but I don't think anything ever came of that either.

Is it time again to revisit amateur sports on TV? The exposure would likely improve Canada's performance at the Olympics as more youth would get inspired watching a wider variety of sports, learning about the dedication and hard work of amateur athletes from various disciplines. One thing is certain, it is unlikely one sport would have enough money and influence to do this on their own, it's going to take a collaborative effort with support from amateur sports advocates like Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee.

I'll believe it when I see it. One of the most electric flankers I've seen at youth level has been told he has no future in XVs and though he's been encouraged to be a sevens player, he's already similar in build to Brussow and our very own Dala at 19.

I'll say it again: 7's is going to be very bad for rugby and we'd be better off if it were ynaked from the Olympics. 15's or bust!

Tbh, I have been coming around to your line of thinking. Why the hell is Adron in our 7s side and not over in Europe improving his game?

has a team in Europe offered him a contract?

Sorry to be a debbie downer.

Pretty sad that we hope to send our top players to Europe to play Div 2 and then we expect to compete top 8 in RWC.

If we can only send players to Div 2 in Uk and France , then we are a top 16 country at best.

We seriously need to develop a semi pro comp in NA if we ever hope to make top 8 again.

I have played with teammates that went on to Div 2 UK. It is not really such a great level of rugby in my opinion.

In fact i have played with guys that went on to the UK Premiership.

Canadians sell themselves and their players short time and time again.
UK clubs and French clubs - same thing.


We as North Americans need to take leadership and build our own system.

re Canada Amateur Sports Network, there's a website out there with an archive of CIS broadcasts (including women's rugby), just upload videos to there

Linky?

http://www.ssncanada.ca/games/

site's navigation system is not the best for going back in time, but here for example is a random women's rugby game between St. Francis Xavier and Acadia http://www.ssncanada.ca/game/2900/

RE: Amateur Sports Network - CBC stills shows a number of "amateur" sports, not as much as in the past, but this decline should be obvious with three national sports networks. I thought earlier in the year Rugby Canada sent out a release stating it had 'signed' an agreement with TSN to cover rugby in Canada for four more years! Now the CBC has acquired the rights to the 2016 Olympics, so whose ass does RC have to kiss now? TSN are not going to be showing 7s. Can you blame them?

RE: Nieghorn's Post - Who the hell told the young man that? Someone in Ontario or Rugby Canada? Way to give the player some confidence, sorry kid, you won't make it in rugby. Hey, we have our very own Eddie Jones in Canadian rugby. Stobart was a strapping young backrower about 10 years ago. Rugby lost him to lacrosse.

RE: Semi-pro League - Moose you live in the place that wants no part of a national senior men's championship. One of BC Rugby News' occasional contributors has gone on record (not in B.C. Rugby News) saying the B.C. Premier league should be turned into a semi-professional league and that Rugby Canada should fund it!!! How about that ROC? The money RC takes from east of the Rockies should be plowed into making the B. C. Premier a pro league.

RE: 7s - The allure of fool's gold.

I really don't want to name anyone's name, as I didn't get full details, but supposedly it was rep team coach to player. Message could have come across negatively to player as coach suggested sevens would be his better avenue, but why even hint that XVs is out of his reach? Push the kid as far as he's willing to go.

There are obvious advantages to big backrowers, but Canada would be stupid to discourage anyone who could rise to be a competitive player at the national level regardless of size. Not only is Brussow the same height, but Pocock falls into that category as well.

I certainly did not want anyone's name. How big (small) were Smith and Waugh? 5' 11" or 6'? Agree completely about pushing a kid as far as he wants to go.

I have hopes, given that the 'bigger is better' mentality that was the trend since Lomu came on the scene and into the mid-2000s has seemingly waned a bit. O'Bieber has proved that 'little guys' can play anywhere in the backline, and the aforementioned have proved they've still got a role in the back row (at least) as well.