British Columbia Rugby Union – BC players headline: Canada U-17 roster announcement
Rugby Canada has announced the touring squad for the Canadian Men’s Under-17 Team that will travel to Santa Barbara, California for a two-game series against the USA High SchoolAll-Americans. Of the 28 players named to the roster, 17 are from British Columbia and compete in the local club leagues.
TOUR SCHEDULE
Dec. 29 vs USA High School All-Americans (UC Santa Barbara, CA)
Dec. 31 vs USA High School All-Americans (UC Santa Barbara, CA)
DECEMBER TOUR INFO
Seen as a crucial step on the high performance pathway to the national team, these players have undergone several selection camps to crack the roster for December’s tour. The end-goal of the Under-17 setup is to send a competitive side to the Wellington Festival in UK next March to compete in a high-pressure environment against other national squads.
All 17 of the B.C. players selected for the Santa Barbara tour have represented their province at the Under-16 level. Comox Valley’s Connor Willis and Abbotsford’s Jorden Best are two of the more experienced players who have represented B.C. at two national championships.
“The inclusion of the players from BC is a very good indication of the quality of programming within our clubs and schools and also reflects well on our regional and provincial structures,” said Dave Brown, BC’s Provincial Coach and Development Manager.
“The National Under-17 program allows players to get further development in all aspects of the game and it is closely aligned with the Regional Academy Programs. It is a key stage in their education and development as people, athletes and rugby players,” Brown added.
CANADA U17 ROSTER
Name, Province. High School, Club
Adam McQueen, AB (Brentwood College/Calgary Saracens)
Alex Kanty, BC (Oak Bay/Castaway Wanderers)
Bobby Grant, ON (St. Thomas Aquinas/Lindsay Griffins)
Brendan Harrison, AB (Shawnigan Lake/Coyotes)
Christopher Woodhead, ON (Abbey Park HS/Oakville Crusaders)
Connor Weyell, BC (Handsworth Secondary/Capilano)
Connor Willis, BC (G.P. Vanier/Comox Valley Kickers)
Djustice Sears-Duru, ON (Shawnigan Lake/Oakville Crusaders)
Fergus Hall, BC (Glenlyon Norfolk/Castaway Wanderers)
Ian Macmaster, BC (Earl Marriott/Bayside)
Jeff Nashima-Miller, BC (SMUS/Castaway Wanderers)
Jeremy Gardner, BC (St. George’s/Vancouver Rowing Club)
John Pappas, ON (Bill Crothers SS/Markham Irish RC)
Jorden Best, BC (Robert Batemen/Abbotsford)
Josh Boyles, ON (Thomas A Stewart/Peterborough)
Keegan Fletcher, BC (Alpha/Vancouver Rowing Club)
Kirk Bonnis, BC (St. George’s/Vancouver Rowing Club)
Lyndon Duncan, BC (Earl Marriott/Bayside)
Macbryan Bos, BC (Glenlyon Norfolk/Castaway Wanders)
Michael Harvey, BC (Rockridge/Capilano)
Mitch Bryant, UK (St. Benedict’s/Wasps)
Nathaniel Hight, BC (Sands/Brit Lions)
Oliver Nott, BC (Shawnigan Lake/Cowichan)
Reid Tucker, BC (Vancouver College/Vancouver Rowing Club)
Ryan Brethour, ON (Brock High School/Brock Rugby Club)
Sam Overton, BC (Okanagan Mission/Okanagan Valley)
Sawyer Herron, ON (Abbey Park HS/Oakville Crusaders)
Scott Gauer, ON (Lorne Park HS/Oakville Crusaders)
Staff:
Head Coach: Jim Delaney
Assistant Coach: Francois Rattier
Manager: Fran Mason
Therapist: Laura Andrews
Press Officer: Jeff Hull