July 18, 2009
As the president of the Cowichan Rugby Club, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our club's Head Coach for the last 4 seasons, Dave "Chili" Grisdale.
Dave has had to make a decision to pursue his career and education opportunities that have only recently come to fruition. With this in mind, and after discussion with myself, it was decided that the commitment required to Coach a Premier Level Rugby side would be far too much. Dave needs to be able to concentrate and excel at this once of a lifetime opportunity. Dave has therefore respectfully tendered his resignation to be effective immediately which was accepted by the writer.
"Chili", as everyone knows, was a key playing member of the club during the "dynasty" years in the late 1990's where, he was part of BC Premiership Championship sides for the Cowichan Piggies. Chili came back to assist Chris Evans in 2003 and in 2005 took over the Men's Head Coaching responsibilities for the club. Chili was pressed into the club's daunting mandate of elevating the Senior Men's program back into the Premiership League. Since 2005, under Chili as Head Coach, the club has gone from two Senior Men's sides to three, including the top side now firmly afoot in the BC Premiership. The club has also been able to place players on the Senior Men's National team, with others knocking on the door.
Chili's work and dedication to the club has given us the boost needed to launch us into bigger and better things. I expect that upon appointment of a New Head Coach that this hard work will continue on. We wish Chili success in the future and as always, is welcome to come back and play (or coach) when the opportunity presents itself.
Your executive will be working hard over the next week or two to identify and appoint the new Head Coach for the fall season.
PROPERTY PROJECT
The property development project has begun.
Stan Holman Backhoe has been at work ripping out the bush and debris from the south and east property lines. He will then be stripping the gravel off the parking lot and setting it aside for later. The work will then move to stripping 12" of soil in a 50' x 500' strip along the west property line (Grandstands side). This material will be moved to the parking lot. The material will then be spread and compacted raising the parking lot about 4'. There will be three structures removed and 200 sq. m. of concrete removed which will lessens our overall concrete footprint on the property as per the agreement with the ALC.
The underground infrastructure(12" drain pipe) will then go in the parking lot and along the perimeters of the property, replacing the old original collapsed drain pipe. 1700 tons of sand will then be delivered to extend sand based field to the property lines on the south, east and west sides.
While this is going on the stands will be lifted (August sometime) by Nichol Bros House Moving and transported 200m to the new site along the north edge of the field. In the field will go the appropriate drainage and irrigation systems to accommodate the increased field size. (We will gain about 1.5 acres of new playing surface to add to the 4.15 acres we currently have bring the total to 5.65 acres of sand based, irrigated playing surface.
Other underground servicing will include a new drain system around the clubhouse, grandstands, concession etc. The playground equipment will be disassembled and rebuilt in the area just to the east of the concession. Planning for the future we will be installing underground electrical and phone conduit along with a new water service line.
A permanent 6"-8" chain link fence will then be erected between the back of the stands and the parking lot and will extend from property line to property line.
-Grandstands have been reviewed by an engineer (Alex Apolosti) and his initial observations are positive. His report will include any upgrade we need to do to meet current standards or replace old, worn out components. He will also work with the municipality to ensure we have their confidence in this area of the project.
-Survey of the property has been completed (Kenyan and Wilson) to establish the property lines, position of the grandstands and a controlled height point for drainage fall. All looks good in this area.
-We have hired two club members for two weeks to complete a myriad of small labor issues that need to be completed. They will start Monday.
PACIFIC REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Cowichan RFC was front and center again in coordination and placing 4 teams in the BC Regional Championships this year. Both Women's sides, representing the Island, were run out of Cowichan (High School and Club) with the majority of the components of these teams being from the Valley itself.
Congratulations to the U-17 Girls Crimson Tide team who won the Gold Medal. Brad Skene again worked his magic and was able to produce another championship team with a good group of athletes. This was the only other team. besides the Fraser Valley East, to win a gold in the tournament.
The U-16 Boys, under Gord Mcgeachy, came away with the Silver Medal after a hard fought 29-10 loss to the Fraser Valley East in the Championship match. The U-16 Boys Division was very tough and had a total of nine teams in the competition. For the North Island to come 2nd is a very good accomplishment.
The U-18 Boys were unlucky in the end after losing a nail biter in the semi final. The boys ended up settling on 4th place after losing a grudge match to our South Island Brethren. Jerry Kusters was the coach of this team.
The U-19 Women, quickly cobbled together by our club after it was learned that the Lower Island was not really interested in organizing the team did very well and competed in the tournament. The Girls made a good showing and came 4th in the tournament. Thanks Taffey, Coos, Sherry and Muck for all your help in getting this team off the ground!
Thanks also to Eva Hamstra for managing the boys and everyone else that I have misses and contributed to this program this year!
After doing the math it was evident that although the North Island is a small demographic, our Region placed 2nd overall as far as regions go. The Fraser Valley East were clear victors with their three gold medals and congratulations to their group. It shows that perhaps the strengths in rugby are changing from the traditional power areas of Vancouver, North Vancouver and Victoria to areas like the North Island and Outer Fraser Valley.
TOUCH RUGBY
Every Thursday evening at 7pm there is touch rugby at the club. Good turn out of about 40 people last Thursday. Everyone welcome! No experience necessary.......We also play right through the construction as the playing fields as they sit will not be touched!
FALL SEASON
Players interested in playing all levels of Junior and Senior Rugby should think about fitness and preparing for the fall season. Structured fitness training for will begin in early August in order for us to prepare for a robust fall season.
SUNFEST
The rugby club will be operating the beer gardens at this years Sunfest. We are looking for 25-30 volunteers we need to run the gardens for Friday and Saturday, August 14th and 15th. (Security and Serving) Please block this weekend off as this will be a very fruitful fundraising opportunity for the club. I will be asking for peoples names in the next few weeks or please contact me at fireguy627@hotmail if interested. It's fun and will be a good event.
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