This year marked another active one for rugby in Abbotsford and the surrounding area. Hundreds of boys and girls from grades 6-12 were involved in local school rugby programs, as many teams continue to expand and develop their rugby skills.
At the senior high school level, there were five Abbotsford boys’ teams competing, as well as Heritage Park from Mission and Aldergrove Community School.
In the Provincial AAA division, Yale tied their best historic performance, finishing sixth. Bateman ended the season at ninth in the same division. In the AA division, Hansen had a great year, finishing fourth and Aldergrove completed the season just behind them in fifth.
At the senior girls level, four teams competed from Abbotsford, as well as Heritage Park and Aldergrove.
In Grade 8 action, localschools were again competitive. In the boys’ division, four Abbotsford schools competed in the local league, including Abby, Reimer, Fraser and Clayburn. Betty Gilbert from Aldergrove was also in the league.
Clayburn won the city championship, while Betty Gilbert won the Upper Valley’s. Clayburn went on to finish third in the Valley’s, with Abby finishing fifth and Betty Gilbert eighth.
The ARFC ran its annual 7’s tournament again this year on April 29 at Yale. With 30 teams competing in five divisions, there were some fantastic matches.
With the help of local coaches, officials and designated club members, the Abbotsford Rugby Club has selected a senior boys All-City team from nominated players from each school. It has also selected an All-City team for each playing level, comprised of five players from each school who showed outstanding commitment and skill throughout the season. Heritage Park and Aldergrove are included in this group as many of its players are involved with the Abbotsford Rugby Club.
The Abbotsford Rugby Club is very proud of the Abbotsford school athletes, teams and coaches, and would like to congratulate them for their successes both on and off the field. Congratulations to all successful 2011 recipients.
Senior Boys All-City Team 2011:
Paul Ahn (Yale) Prop
Ryan March (Bateman) Prop
Caleb Reardon (Yale) Prop
Geremy Alvarado (Bateman) Prop
DJ Thiessen (Bateman) Hooker
Tanner Dunlop (Yale) Lock
Tyler Barons (Yale) Lock
Curtis Dowding (Heritage) Lock
Jordan Puckrin (Yale) Flanker
Eric Olsen (Hansen) Flanker
Josh Kwiatkowski (Aldergrove) Flanker
JD Paul (Mouat) Flanker
Jonathan Parkin (Yale) #8
Jorden Best (Bateman) Scrumhalf
Connor Hunter (Aldergrove) Stand Off
Byce Hewko (Yale) Stand Off
Brandon Jobb (Yale) Centre
Christian Styles (Yale) Centre
Lucas Harder (Hansen) Centre
Tyson Appeldoorn (Mouat) Wing
Justin Douglas (Bateman) Wing
Dallas Yassinsky (Abby) Wing
Doug Saunders (Aldergrove) Wing
Daniel McCutcheon (Hansen) Fullback
Michael Rose (Bateman) Fullback
Senior Girls All-City: Aldergrove
Kayla Singleton Hook
Ginger Broatch Back Row
Devan Cosens Stand Off
Toriah Aslin Centre
Ashley Kazakoff Lock
Junior Boys All-City: Aldergrove
Will Foss #8
Tristan Buchner Flanker
Pietro Romegioli Centre
Will Sitter Scrum Half
Tanner Cumiskey Stand Off
Grade 8 Boys: Betty Gilbert (Aldergrove)
Josh Thiel Stand Off
Jake Thiel #8
Sang Nguyen Flanker
Nathan Dahl Fullback
Josh Desrosiers Centre