Classic Can-Am 2019 Recap

July 24, 2019

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Classic Can-Am Recap

July 24th, 2019

(ANCHORAGE, AK) -  Founded over 20 years ago by former Canadian International Tom Woods (22 Caps) the Canadian Classics Rugby Society competes in 2 events annually: The Classic Can Am Summer Series (North America), and The World Rugby Classic (Bermuda). These events provide a platform for former Canadian Internationals, and deserving domestic players, another chance to represent Canada together on a world stage.

 This year the Classic Can Am was held at the prestigious “Field of Dreams” (Hyperlink takes me to SportLoMo) at the Alaska Mountain Rugby Grounds in Anchorage, Alaska, USA over the July 13 weekend.

The 2019 Classics selected 34 players, from 5 provinces, with approximately 75 x 15’s caps and 40 x 7’s Caps in addition to NA4, Canadian Rugby Championship, Rugby Canada Super League, and Provincial Union experience. Ontario contributed 5 players to the squad in Alaska.

The Classics have since returned home safely following a hard fought 43-27 win vs the Classic USA Misfits, making that back-to-back Can Am wins after also beating the USA in Regina last year.

Centre Steve Shortly was selected as Man of the Match by both USA and Canada Staff following his extremely physical play in the midfield. Shortly was rewarded with a try for his tenacity and relentless attack, and was instrumental in creating others by keeping the USA’s inside backs honest which resulted in space outside for Canada’s speedsters.

Burlington Centaur Bill Clayton was also recognized by Canada? USA? Staff as the Forward of the Match after making his Classics debut at lock. Named to the starting XV by the coaching staff, Clayton was reliable in the line-outs and ferocious on defence - sending more than one unlucky USA player to the bench holding his ribs.

Balmy Beach Hook and Classics veteran Chris Hewitt made his presence felt off the bench by scorching the USA defence on a pick-and-go turned gallop and was joined by Classics debutants Mike Boulanger and Tom Jenkins who were both dedicated to stealing ball in contact and stifling the USA attack in what can only be described as “Classic” Canadian defence!

The Canadian Classics Rugby Society hopes that players like these will share their Classics experiences within their local communities to continue to build and improve positive rugby cultures across Canada.

Congratulations to all the Ontario players selected to the Classic Can Am Summer Series this year & thanks for your assistance in earning back-to-back Classic Can Am wins for Canada!

Ontario Players on the 2019 Classic Can Am Summer Series, Anchorage, Alaska, USA:

Hooker:

Chris Hewitt - Balmy Beach RFC

Lock:

Bill Clayton - Burlington Centaurs RFC

Back Row:

Mike Boulanger - Oakville Crusaders RFC

Center:

Steve Shortly - Aurora Barbarians/Burlington Centaurs RFC

Fullback:

Tom Jenkins - Burlington Centaurs RFC


ABOUT THE ONTARIO BLUES

The Ontario Blues program is the high performance representative program for male and female rugby players in Ontario. Rugby Ontario is represented at the provincial level by the Ontario Blues. The program includes representative teams from Under-15 to Senior in both Women’s and Men’s Fifteens and Under-18 Men's and Women's Sevens. Specifically, the program is designed to develop and showcase rugby players for Canadian representative national teams.


ABOUT RUGBY ONTARIO

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WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Dalton Finkbeiner

Communications and Marketing Coordinator - Rugby Ontario

647-560-4790 x 1006
dfinkbeiner@rugbyontario.com


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