ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
Fall 2009
Dear McGill University Rugby Football Club Alumni,
On behalf of all the members of
the McGill Rugby Club, thank you for the very generous support you have shown over the past few years.
That support has been an important part of our success in recent seasons and 2008 was no exception. We fielded Varsity First, Second and Club squads consisting of over 70 players. Increased player interest and an influx of new stars ensured a hugely talented First team and Seconds that could compete with any first team in the QSSF. Our Club and Second sides competed well all season against Dartmouth College, West Point, various QSSF second teams, Queen’s University Seconds and Ottawa University’s First side. Varsity Second and Club squads are what make our Varsity First team so strong. Players wishing to improve their game have a chance to compete for spots on the Varsity side, as well as play competitive rugby even if they are unable to commit full-time to the Varsity Team. With three teams, we remain the only McGill sport that will not turn anyone away if they want to play. The Club side is non-funded and needs ongoing financial support to ensure the success of our program.
This past fall, McGill Varsity maintained the consistency and excellence evident in last year’s championship season which saw them defeat Bishop’s University for the 2007 QSSF title. In that game, the team scored three second-half tries in 11 minutes, resulting in a 31-13 victory and capping a 10-0 season against Canadian teams. A solid 7-3-1 season in 2008 added to a remarkable 26-4-1 record over the past three years, with each season culminating in a QSSF title. Opponents were again outscored this year, 322-55.
International students Ian Turner at flyhalf (McGill Tribune MVP) and Peter Klestov at flank, both from Brisbane, Australia, along with Cayse Ruiter, Dave Tontini, John Phelan and Josh Reznick all played exceptionally well and were this season’s conference all-stars. After a comfortable 41-0 victory over Concordia in the 2008 semi-final, McGill again faced the Bishop’s Gaiters, beating them 21-0 to take their third consecutive QSSF title.
Soon after, in place of a proposed collegiate national championship, four McGill RFC teams took on Dalhousie and the University of New Brunswick First and Second teams in an Eastern Canada championship, with good result. Macdonald Campus, the fourth McGill team, defeated University of New Brunswick’s Seconds, and McGill’s Club team beat Dalhousie’s Seconds. McGill Varsity Second team beat UNB’s First side 9-7. In a highly anticipated final game where the lead changed hands four times, McGill Varsity Firsts suffered a 14-12 loss to Maritime champion Dalhousie in rainy, windy conditions. While three wins and a loss produced an overall bittersweet result, in recognition of an overall fabulous season, McGill Rugby was nominated for the McGill Varsity Team of the year for the fourth time in the five years the club has enjoyed Varsity status. We look forward this upcoming season to proving without a doubt that McGill RFC is the beast of the East!
The success that McGill Rugby has had on the field is directly related to the support we get from the McGill Rugby community of which you’re a member. With more players joining the club every year, we are always in need of more balls, practice pads, water bottles, medical equipment and rugby kits. Players’ dues are the main source of funding for the majority of our coaching and operating budget, with our Second and Club sides being solely funded by the RFC. Also, we appreciate your support in paying for transportation to and from games to continue to develop our players.
The McGill RFC again tested itself against the best competition outside Canada. In the post-season, 12 players, while not technically representing McGill, participated in the annual New York Sevens Tournament, reaching pool semi-finals and enjoying great success. Continuing our annual tradition of travelling down to Cambridge, Mass., in the spring we played in the 2009 McGill-Harvard Covo Cup classic. McGill Varsity Firsts trounced Harvard 15-3, taking the lead in the historic tourney 16 games to 13. McGill Seconds fared just as well, beating Harvard 29-9.
McGill Rugby continually searches out exhibition matches such as these to show our skill and abilities in our never ending drive to play high-calibre rugby against even higher-calibre clubs. Before the upcoming QSSF season, McGill First and Second teams will travel down to Dartmouth to compete against Dartmouth College and West Point, and will begin the tour in London, Ontario, facing Western’s First and Second sides. Also looming is the possibility of a National Championships which, if finalized, would be a big boost to our program, allowing us in future years to recruit, give scholarships and have full access to all athletic services here at McGill, bringing our program to a new level. All of these elements would bring the need for increased funding and support for our program.
After the 2008 season, McGill RFC held its inaugural Alumni Weekend, which included an Alumni vs. Redmen game, a scheduled QSSF game and social activities. The weekend’s turnout motivated the RFC Council to build on previous efforts at alumni engagement and to introduce several new initiatives to improve Alumni-Club relations. One is better Web access for former players. A new private alumni forum located on our website, www.mcgillrfc.com, which allows former players to keep in touch with each other and with the Club, is something we encourage all alumni members to join. Simply click the drop-down alumni menu, then alumni forum and follow subsequent instructions. The McGill Rugby Alumni Facebook group is also available online. Our club is, as always, committed to providing its alumni with newsletters in the fall and spring which update former players on upcoming challenges and recent club successes. And this year we are planning an even better, second annual Alumni Weekend. The event, which takes place October 23-25, will include a QSSF game, social activities and, new this year, a Sevens tournament for current and former players!
Support from alumni and friends of the Club is greatly appreciated and helps us to get the most out of our experience as members of the McGill Rugby Football Club. This past year, alumni contributions provided funding for two backs and two forwards coaches, a trip to Harvard, transportation for Second and Club teams to exhibition games against Queen’s and Ottawa University, and modernization of our jerseys and club kit. Hopefully, with our effort and dedication on the field, and your financial support off the field, we can continue to be one of the best university rugby clubs in Canada.
Thank you again for your support. Keep in touch; don’t forget to join your forum and Facebook group!
Cheers,
Brendan O’Sullivan
VP Alumni McGill RFC
Twice every year, the McGill Rugby Football Club mails and emails a club newsletter to its alumni to keep alumni updated about the club.
We encourage all alumni to join a mailing or email list! To do so, please contact our President, or join the Alumni Forum!
Any suggestions? Please contact any of our executive!
