RUGBY ONTARIO ANNOUNCES 2018 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

October 15, 2018

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Rugby Ontario Announces 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 15, 2018


(WHITBY, ON) - Rugby Ontario is excited to announce the Rugby Ontario Hall of Fame class of 2018. This group of individuals have contributed a tremendous amount to the Ontario rugby community and will receive a well-deserved recognition at the 2018 Rugby Ontario Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner. Honoured by the Rugby Ontario Hall of Fame Selection Committee as the sixteenth group of inductees are John Billingsley, Norman Carr, George Gadjovich, Maria Gallo, Wayne Hodgson and Colette McAuley. The Class of 2018 will be recognized at the Rugby Ontario Hall of Fame & Awards Ceremony and Dinner on the evening of Saturday November 24, 2018. The ceremony – in conjunction with the Rugby Ontario Awards evening – will be held at the Maple Banquet Hall in Mississauga, Ontario, commencing at 5.30pm. 


For guests that wish to attend the dinner, tickets can be purchased, either individually for $100 or in tables of 8 or 10 ($95 per person) online at: PURCHASE TICKETS. When purchasing tickets, please indicate any group you wish to be seated with. We can then ensure all guests are seated together where requested. Rugby Ontario also has an accommodation arrangement for Saturday November 24th at the nearby Hilton Garden Inn. The link for this booking, which is available until Monday October 29th is: HALL OF FAME HOTEL LINK


Further information on the Rugby Ontario Hall of Fame & Awards Ceremony and Dinner can be obtained from David Patterson, Rugby Ontario Development & Administration Manager at dpatterson@rugbyontario.com or 647 560 4790 ext 1003


RUGBY ONTARIO 2018 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES BIOGRAPHIES


JOHN BILLINGSLEY

  • Inducted by Rugby Canada in 2017 as it's 4th Honorary Life Member
  • 20 year period (1981 - 2001) as Rugby Canada's Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer
  • 9 caps for Canada 1974 – 1985
  • 1982–1984 played for Ontario. Won Canadian Championship in 1982    
  • 1982 - 1998 period -  Coach of 10 time Ontario Club 7's Champion (Ottawa Irish)

NORMAN CARR

  • Canadian tour to Australia 1985 – twice capped
  • Played for Ontario for 10 years 1981 to 1990
  • Played for Eastern Ontario for 21 years (1975 -1996)
  • With the Ottawa Irish, winning the Ontario triple crown (3 times) McCormick Cup, Ontario League and Ontario Sevens (7 times)
  • Actively played with the Ottawa Irish for 25 years (20 years of first division rugby) from 1975 - 2000

GEORGE GADJOVICH

  • Officiated in 17 international matches (Argentina, Japan. USA, Italy, NZ, Australia, Ireland, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay)
  • 1995 World Cup referee
  • 1993 World Cup 7s referee
  • Over 60 national appointments
  • Refereed over 1000 matches in Ontario during his career
  • Currently assisting Rugby Ontario in the coaching of match officials

MARIA GALLO

  • 55 caps for Canada (15’s), 2nd most of all time
  • 2002 and 2006 World Cup team member
  • Member of the 15’s national team 1999-2010, vice-captain 2008-2010
  • Member of Women’s Senior National 7’s – 2008-2010
  • Captain of 2009 7’s World Cup team
  • Member of Ontario National championship team - 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
  • Two time OUA All -Star (1997 & 1998)
  • Guelph University Female athlete of the year 1998
  • Pathway coach to National 15’s and 7’s programs for the past decade

WAYNE HODGSON

  • 47 years servicing rugby in the Niagara region
  • In his tenure of 40 years on the board and executive, Wayne helped and supported the Niagara Wasps club in the following programs:
  • The growth of the men's program from one senior team to three teams
  • The formation of junior boy’s and junior girl’s programs
  • The addition of one of the earliest women's team in Ontario which has grown to two senior sides competing in the OWL
  • Initiating one of the first flag rugby programs in Ontario
  • Starting the Vintage Old Boys team
  • Assisted in the support of the introduction of the first rugby teams at many local high schools in the region, Brock University (men's & women's) and Niagara College (men's)

COLETTE MCAULEY

  • 21 caps for Canada (15’s) including 2002 World Cup
  • A decade as a member of the Canadian national team
  • 2 years in National women’s 7s team
  • Member of Women’s Senior Provincial team – 1994-2007
  • Member of Ontario National championship team – 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005
  • Ontario Team captain – 2005
  • Pathway coach to National 15’s and 7’s programs for the past decade
  • Notable coaching career with the University of Guelph

ABOUT RUGBY ONTARIO

Rugby Ontario is the provincial sports governing body responsible for the organization of rugby in Ontario. Our mission is to establish a stronger identity for rugby in Ontario by promoting the sport’s core values and by fostering a culture of inclusiveness and excellence on and off the field of play.

To learn more, visit https://www.rugbyontario.com/


WANT MORE INFORMATION?

David Patterson 

Rugby Ontario Development & Administration Manager

647-560-4790 x 1003

dpatterson@rugbyontario.com


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