September 16, 2009
The Fall Rugby Season is now upon us with many of the teams playing opening games this weekend. We have 8 teams in action this weekend including the big home date for our Premier Men against the U-Vic Vikes.
SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEKEND
Saturday, September 19th
1st Div. Women: Cowichan vs Comox at Comox KO @ 11:30am
1st Div. Men: Cowichan vs Castaway Wanderers at Windsor Park KO @ 1pm
Premier Men: Cowichan vs U-Vic Vikings at Herd Rd. @ 2:45pm
Sunday, September 20th
U-17 Men: Cowichan vs JBAA at Herd Rd. KO @ 1pm**
3rd Div Men: Cowichan vs Powell River at Herd Rd. KO @ 1pm
U-19 Men: Cowichan vs JBAA at Herd Rd. KO @ 2:30pm
U-15 Boys: Cowichan vs Port Alberni (TBA)
U-18 Girls: Cowichan vs Velox at Velox. Time TBA
**There is a conflict with the 3rd Div Game. To be sorted out and notification sent out.
COACHING
Marius Felix and Tony Healy will also be assisting Coach Evans periodically and as their time permits.
WAYNE PEACE GAME
Very good day last Saturday both on and off the field for Cowichan. The Wayne Game kicked off at 1:00pm and included about 30 Cowichan players and 20 Nanaimo guys. The game was a bit one-sided and eventually saw some Cowichan players donning the yellow Hornets jerseys to bolster their side. Great time had by all!
Game 2 featured Cowichan's 1st XV vs Nanaimo's 1st XV. Cowichan was seeking revenge for Nanaimo's upset of the Piggies last year up in Nanaimo. The game started well for the depleted Cowichan side, with 8 regulars out of the line-up. #10, Andrew Wood, showed some style and great kicking skills throughout the game and no doubt when the timing between himself and the centers starts klicking we'll some great ball movement in future games.
The Cowichan set pieces simply demolished our Northern brethren despite some new players in the mix, particularly in the front row. Good to see "Beaner" back from his injury and playing well at the hooker spot. Dan James anchored the front row at Tight Head with our new player playing well at the loose. Regular front rowers, Doug Wooldridge was away playing for the Ontario Blues and big Marv Seymour had work commitments this past weekend. (Doug has now been acknowledged by Rugby Canada and is carded which is excellent for him)
Also back for his first game in a while was Pat Young who came in at prop later in the game. Pat played well and has always been a steady performer as a rugby player. The half saw Cowichan up 10-0. The second half saw a stingy Nanaimo bunch catch up in the score department and were winning at the 65 min. mark only to have Cowichan storm down to take the 1 point 22-21 victory from Nanaimo. A win it was, with a need for improvement which will come during training.
The afterglow of the game went very well with lots of merriment in Wayne's name. It is estimated that over $5000.00 was raised and once the donations have been counted a cheque will be sent to the Wayne Peace Trust Fund in aid of Tanya and the boys who were real troopers on the day! Thanks Rhonda, Angie, Pam, Muck and everyone else who helped put this on. The food was second to none as usual!
FIELD PROJECT
As most saw for the first time Saturday, quite a change to the old rugby pitch. I think everyone was pleased with the progress and can see some vision of what the grounds will look like now that the stands have been moved. In the last two days much more work has been completed with the "ugly" corner now done and the pipework now progressing down and into the parking lot. It'll be a bit messy for a while but we are taking steps to gravel heavily travelled areas around the clubhouse until the grass is back in place. Part of the plan is also to have an enclosed "dog walk" area so that we can keep the 4 legged creatures under control and in their own "happy zone". To date we have spent $66,935.96 on the project...most of it you won't even see as it's all underground! Kind of interesting that when we dug up the old 12" galvanized pipe that ran along the west fenceline we found that it was almost level for the whole way and went up hill and some spots. The new installed 12" double-walled coro-plast pipe is down 2' deeper and has a definite slope to it which will improve our drainage substantially.
U-18 GIRLS
Saw some of the training this afternoon and there was a good group of young people out under the hot sun doing their work-outs. The girls looked very organized and should be a strong side again this season. Alana Skene is doing a great job and if the first training session is any indication, we could be looking at some good rugby from this group this season.
The bonus for the girls is that as they played most of their games at away venues last season, the majority of their games against Mainland sides will be at home. So let's get out and support the young athletes...you never know...with Women's 7's almost a done deal for the 2016 Olympics, some of our own may have a super opportunity here!
SOCIAL MEMBERSHIPS
Will be the same as last year. $150 gets you the basic membership. $300 gets you a gate pass and other goodies. You support is much needed as costs have again risen for the sport and maintenance of the facility. (Insurance on all sides, referees costs up 15%, etc. etc.)
GAMING GRANT
We were very fortunate to get the $80,000.00 Infrastructure Grant from BC Gaming this year. We also received our regular $19,000.00 BC Gaming Grant on top of this amount. Despite what we have heard in the media, we are all good for this year. Credit has to be given to Ian Murray, Sharon Moss, Annie McGeachy and others for doing our due diligence in this area.
BTW...The regular gaming grant pays for much of the maintenance on our field which runs $20-$25,000.00 per year. Thanks Paul and Granny for all the volunteer time you put into this area of the club!
U-20 CAMP
Cowichan had 6 players attend the the Canada U-20 Camp this past weekend. Sean Ferguson (now at UBC), Nick Philipson (now at U-Vic) Scott McLeod (with the Piggies) Casey Cavers (now at U-Vic), Ty Hamblin (Now of Northern Ireland) and Pat Fraser (with the Piggies) All did quite well and look to open some eyes in the future.
SUPPORTER STICKERS
The club now has "I Support Cowichan Rugby" stickers which go on the rear window of a vehicle. They can be purchased for $4. Please see Barb James if you want one.
CLUB CLOTHING
Coming online soon. Kukri will be building an addition to the website where you can order club clothing electronically. Barb has also ordered a selection of clothing for club members to examine. It should be in soon.
All for now.
JJ
Website Design by connemara