Club Anniversary Spotlight: Vaughn Yeomen

July 04, 2022

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Club Anniversary Spotlight: Vaughan Yeomen

July 4th, 2022

(WHITBY, ON) - The Club Anniversary Spotlight Series is a initiative which will recognize all Rugby Ontario Member Clubs that are celebrating a major anniversary during 2022. The Vaughan Yeomen are celebrating their 50th anniversary! 

History

The club was first founded in 1972, when a group of former graduates from York University decided to continue their playing career by forming a club that would play in the Ontario Rugby Union.These gentlemen, Bob Ross, Larry Nancekevill, Mike Dinning, along with others were the core of the club which ran its first international tour in 1973 to play clubs in Europe. The club was then known as the York Yeomen. The club continued to grow and prosper as more members continued to join. The membership was not just limited to the York University graduates but the community at large.

In 1992, the club moved from York University to the Huntington Golf and Country Club. It was at this time that the club dropped the York from the club title. The club moved to their home at Claireville Conservation until 2007. The Vaughan Yeomen now play out of Vaughan where the club continues to grow with the help of many High School feeder clubs (Father Bressani High School, St Joan of Arc high School, St Jean De Brefeuf High School & Sheridan Collage. 

Current Club Outlook

Over the past 10 years, the Yeomen have developed a strategic relationship with Sheridan College Rugby. Founded by Carlos Moniz & Trevor Figeira and continued with current coaches Rick Brea, Ryan Turnbull, John Rinaldi, Mike Barbieri and Doug Iwasa. (All Yeomen club members) 

The Sheridan Rugby Program has continued to develop young rugby players in the Yeomen tradition. Currently 12 past and present Sheridan players are playing for the 2022 Yeomen. Many current Yeomen players also assist in the development of Sheridan College Rugby players during practices which in turn also benefit the Vaughan Yeomen. This relationship provides a great Rugby Club for Sheridan players to continue their careers in rugby. 

The Vaughan Yeomen are currently working on a project with the City of Vaughan, private investors, and sponsorships to create the new home for the Vaughan Yeomen Rugby Club.  This would include a new rugby pitch, bar and many more amenities such as gyms, physiotherapy center, Showers, and many restaurants. 

Club Achievements

During 90's the club enjoyed tremendous success winning both the league championship and McCormick Cups in 1993, 1994, and 1995 as well as playing in most finals in each year and won the Ontario Rugby triple double (League and Cup Champions 3 years in a row). The Yeomen were league champions in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, and 1998. 


Rugby Ontario Champions


1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998



McCormick Cup Champions


1993, 1994, 1995, 2001



Toronto Rugby Regional Plate Champions


2013



Toronto Rugby Premier Plate Champions


2014, 2015



Toronto Rugby Keenan Cup Champions


2019

Notable Alumni

National Caps

Bill Handson, Slatko Cvitak, John Hutchison, Joe Pagano, Mike Barbieri, Robert Barbieri &  Steve Staffieri.

Word Cup Appearances (Canada) 

Bill Handson played in the first ever World Cup in Australia in 1987, John Hutchison played in the World Cup in 1995 in South Africa, while Joe Pagano played in the 1999 World Cup in England

World Cup Appearances (Italy ) 

Robert Barbieri Italian National Team at the World Cup in France in 2011.

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