(MISSISSAUGA, ON) – Rugby Ontario will be hosting our annual Rugby Ontario Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner this Saturday, December 10 at Maple Banquet Hall in Mississauga. The evening will honour those who have devoted their time to rugby and helped grow the game, as well as outline members who have shown excellence, as a player, coach, official, volunteer or club, in the 2016 season.
2016 Hall of Fame Inductees:
Ken Courser
- Member of the Brantford Harlequins (1978-present)
- Served in various executive positions within Brantford Harlequins RFC (Social Director, Secretary, Vice-President, Treasurer, Fixtures) (1982-Present)
- President, Brantford Harlequins (1989-1992, 1994, 1996-1998, 2010-present)- Helped to put together a high school rugby league in Brantford
- Coordinated various fundraisers and programs which contributed to the overall financial and participatory success of the Brantford Harlequins
Bruce Gage
- Has coached Balmy Beach RFC for 35+ years (1980-present)
- Coached Balmy Beach RFC to Two Carling Cup Championships and 11 McCormick Cup Championships
- Coached Ontario Senior Men's Rugby Team to 3 MacTier Cups (1990-1999)
- Coached Ontario Men's Rugby Teams in friendlies vs. "Young Canada", North East United States and Leicester (2004-2006)
Lesley (Tubs) and Gladys (Gee) Gage
- Active members of Balmy Beach RFC (1960-2007)
- President of Balmy Beach RFC (Tubbs: 1968-1972)
- Ontario Rugby Union Selector (Tubbs: 1968-1974)
- Managers of Balmy Beach RFC Men's 1st XV (1983-1999)
- Championship for Ontario Sr. Men's Second Teams named the Gee Gage Cup (1999)
- Balmy Beach RFC Field renamed the "Tubbs and Gee Gage Rugby Field" (2003)
Julie McGann
- Earned seven International Caps with Canada; Can-am Game (1992), Canada Cup (1993), World Cup (1994)
- 10-year career with Ontario, winning four National Championships (1990-2000)
- Member of Brampton Beavers Rugby Club (1990-2000)
- Also played for Lindsay RFC (2003-2005), Peterborough Pagans (2006), Toronto Lions (2009-2010), Bournemouth RFC (2011-2012)
- At 40 years old, played in the World Rugby Classic Bermuda representing the Canadian Over 40 Team (2007)
Cec Moody
- One of the Founding Fathers of High School Rugby in Ontario
- Founded and coached Lawrence Park High School's Rugby Program (1970's-2000's)
- The Leadership in School Sport Award - OFSAA Boys AAA Rugby
- Played for Ontario's provincial team (1970's)
- Played for Toronto Scottish RFC (1970's and 1980's)
2016 Provincial Award Winners:
Senior Provincial Player of the Year (Female) – Jacey Grusnick (Barrhaven Scottish RFC)
Senior Provincial Player of the Year (Male) – Rob Brouwer (Lindsay RC)
Junior Provincial Player of the Year (Female) – Julia Schell (Oshawa Vikings RFC)
Junior Provincial Player of the Year (Male) – Will Kelly (Brantford Harlequins RFC)
Senior Club Player of the Year (Male) – Rory McDonell (Brantford Harlequins RFC)
Club Coach of the Year (Female) – Linda Manzo (Toronto Scottish RFC)
Club Coach of the Year (Male) – John Daggett (Barrie RFC)
Junior Club Program of the Year (Female) – Oshawa Vikings RFC
Junior Club Program of the Year (Male) – Crusaders RC
Minor Club Program of the Year – Toronto City Youth RFC
Volunteer of the Year – Jim Shaw (Bytown Blues RFC)
Match Official of the Year – Rose LaBreche
About Rugby Ontario:
Rugby Ontario is the provincial sports governing body responsible for the organization of rugby in Ontario. Our mission is to promote, govern, and develop rugby at all levels in a safe, affordable and enjoyable environment within the province of Ontario.
For more information, visit https://www.rugbyontario.com/
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For more information, please contact:
Kevin Baxter
Communications Coordinator
Rugby Ontario
Office: 647-560-4790 x 106
kbaxter@rugbyontario.com
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