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National Women's League
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Nominations for 2010 Colette McAuley Award Now Being Accepted; Award Adds $1000 Grant
by Meghan Mutrie
posted June 16 2010
Last year’s National Women’s League Final was used as a platform for the first ever Colette McAuley Award, and although this year’s NWL is an abbreviated version because of the World Cup, the award will still be presented, but it has jumped up a weight class this year.
Thanks to the Canadian Rugby Foundation, the award is now attached to the Colette McAuley Fund, an endowed fund solely for the NSWT that collects annual interest. This interest, usually around $1000, will be presented as a cheque in the recipient’s name, along with a plaque.
The Colette McAuley Award will be awarded annually to a current NWL female rugby player, nominated by her respective provincial team, who gives back to the sport in the true spirit of the game.
The award was created in hopes of recognizing and inspiring athletes to take ownership for women’s rugby in Canada, from the grassroots level through to the National Senior Women’s Team. The award will help create legacy, accountability and a sense of pride in the program for current and past female rugby players alike.
Colette McAuley, the award’s inspiration, was a role model for teammates, peers and coaches alike throughout her playing career, and has since used this same authority to incite positive change for women’s rugby as a director on the Rugby Canada Board of Directors and is the President of the Rugby Canada Foundation Board of Directors.
Last year’s recipient, Marlene Donaldson, is currently in camp with the NSWT at Shawnigan Lake School and is excited about the evolution of the award.
“It was nice to receive the award last year because it acknowledges what you do off the field, which doesn’t always get noticed. Now that there is a financial grant attached to it, it gives it even more added weight.
“It’s almost impossible to fully dedicate yourself to this sport, and not need a little financial assistance, so we can be assured the money will be put to good use by whomever wins the award this year,” says Donaldson.
Donaldson was chosen as the recipient because of her devotion to a sport that has defined her for decades. Now, her generation of athletes has started to define the sport within Canada.
On the NSWT, there are 22 undergraduate degrees, eight Master’s degrees and two Ph.D’s.
Because the players are so accomplished in variety of areas, they can see what is lacking and they know how to help, says Donaldson.
“The sport needs continuity, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be through a financial contribution from former players. It’s what they do after, in terms of volunteering their time, either in administration, as a coach for their clubs or provinces, or youth rugby. We can see how sport is affected positively by people who play and then give back, and I think because women’s rugby isn’t seen as a new sport anymore, and the women are successful in their professional lives, we’re in a place to really start doing that.”
Coaches and managers from each province competing at the 2010 NWL Championships are asked to discuss the Colette McAuley Award with their teams to determine 1-2 nominees from their roster.
Those names should be submitted via email to NSWT Communications Officer Meghan Mutrie (meghanmutrie@gmail.com), along with a short bullet-point paragraph as to why the individuals are deserving of the award. Coaches will receive an email with the criterion and deadline as a reminder.
The deadline for nominations is June 27th, 2010 at midnight. A committee made up of past and present Canadian internationals will receive a list of all the nominations and reasons, and vote on the winner, which will be announced after the NWL gold medal game.
The committee includes McAuley, Donaldson, Mutrie, former Canada captain Kelly McCallum, player representative Sheila Turner, and High Performance Director Geraint John.
Thank you again to the Canadian Rugby Foundation for their support in bolstering the Colette McAuley Award.
For more information on the CRF, please visit:
http://www.canadianrugbyfoundation.ca/
To see photos, receive updates and show your support for the NSWT as they near the 2010 World Cup, please join their Unofficial Facebook Fan Page at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Canadas-National-Senior-Womens-Rugby-Team/273546121027
National Women’s League Final - Report By Enid Blyton
posted Aug 5 2008
British Columbia 22 – 8 Ontario
According to the NWL website voting, BC went into the game favoured by 60% of the voters to win. Well, the voters were right, but most of the voting must have come from BC fans as Ontario and BC are much more closely matched with Alberta hot on their heels and Quebec two/three years away from having a very strong squad.
The Semi final game against Quebec was a blow out and gave Head Coach, Steve Bennett a chance to clear his bench with two rookies, scrum half Christina Burnham(19), and Prop, Brandi Van Eeuwen (19) both scoring tries and performing very well at the senior level.
The game against Ontario was always going to be a hard fought battle between two squads that make up the majority of the Canada squad and who were invited by Head Coach, Quentin Fyffe to “play for a starting place against England in the first game of the Nations Cup”, being played in the UK later this month. These players don’t need much of an incentive to perform, but “Q’s” words added fuel to the fire. BC absorbed a few minutes of pressure in the first half, but quickly found their feet dominating in the loose and able to keep the ball alive, gaining lots of ground. Laura Foreman (lock) stood out for BC in the first half by always being in support to take the off-load and make more ground. The BC backrow – Genevieve Gay, Barbara Mervin and Heather Jaques were everywhere, cleaning up scrappy ball and putting pressure on the Ontario half backs. Both teams made some ferocious tackles as neither one was prepared to give any ground up easily.
It took 9 minutes for BC to score their first try with some very positive attacking rugby that saw ground gained through off loading passes and quick recycled ball enabling the BC to backs to have some space to work with and Maria Gallo finishing off. More of the same rugby resulted in tries from Brittany Waters on 15 minutes and Mandy Marchak at the 20 minute mark. Anna Schnell added a convert for a 17-0 lead and what was turning into a dominating performance that included some great rugby.
Fifteen minutes into the 2nd half, BC got into some penalty trouble through ill discipline ending with Anna Schnell being yellow carded. Anna suffered the fate of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and being carded for multiple ‘team’ infringements. Ontario saw a chance to get back into the game and threw everything they had at BC, much like Alberta had done in previous games. The BC defence stood firm despite defending their try line for most of the 10 minutes and able now and then to create a turnover and find touch. Ironically, it was shortly after Anna Schnell returned to the fold that Ontario scored, although they did have a 5 metre scrum at the time. The score now at 17-8 was looking similar to the 2007 final and became a battle of wills. Ontario piled on the pressure, but BC wouldn’t wilt. Some tactical substitutions during the 2nd half bought on replacement backrowers Shannon Kane and Mandy Lewis whose fresh legs started to help BC regain possession in loose play and take the game back to Ontario. Lesley McKenzie was forced off through injury after playing very well, but BC rookie Courtney Armstrong picked up where Lesley left off. Katie Maher replaced Kim Donaldson just after halftime and continued to build on a much improved summer of rugby.
The BC women showed incredible mental strength to get back into the game and round the afternoon off with a very well worked try that once again saw positive, free flowing rugby result in a try for Amanda Miller and a final score of 22-8.
Those who attended saw some fantastic rugby and the commitment of the players involved, including Alberta and Quebec will only have a positive effect on the women’s game. However, it is this writer’s opinion that until Rugby Canada step up and fund this event we won’t have the opportunity to see all the very best players in the Country. BC had a squad of 23 players, of which, only 8 were specialist backs. Many players could not play due to lack of money – the event costing each player $1050.00. All four Provinces stayed in the same hotel which had no facilities for rugby players, smoke filled hallways and enough carpet stains in the rooms that you could’ve had agility training sessions dodging them. To help with the budget (or lack of) the players turned the manager’s room into a cafe and daily ate breakfast, lunch and dinner from this room. Special mention should go to the BC Manager, Cheryl Foreman who worked tirelessly to provide everything she could on a shoe string budget.
Twelve players from BC will make up the 30 strong squad heading to the UK for Nations Cup later in August. This will cost each player another $2,700.00. Add this to money already paid out by those who play for their Country at 15’s and 7’s and you will have player’s costs averaging $10,000-$13,000 per year. To add insult to injury – Rugby Canada didn’t even provide medals for the players this year and every team went home empty handed.
I spoke to BC Head Coach, Steve Bennett to get his thoughts.
"Most of what we’ve experienced this week with regard to accommodations, planning and facilities has been less than impressive and does nothing to show players that Rugby Canada is committed to the growth of the women’s game. I can only speak for my players, but they have pretty much given up every weekend since the end of May to prepare and achieve our goal of defending the title. They have paid out money to take part in the League and lost money to time off work. Players from Vancouver Island have endured extra cost and time on the ferries. We played the final game –won it, had a 5 minute trophy presentation (no medals included) the MVP’s were given a rugby ball each (just what they’ve always wanted I’m sure) showered and headed for the airport. It was all quite an anti climax for the players who deserve much more than they are getting right now. A banquet was organised for the players the night before the final games – you can imagine how much fun that was with players itching to leave early and get a good night sleep before some of them played the biggest games of their young careers.
We were told to expect large crowds for the 3rd – 4th playoff game and the final. I estimate 200 people turned up to watch, but I didn’t see any advertising for the games anywhere. Sharing a hotel with coaches, players and managers from all the Provinces concerned gave us a chance to chat and agree that much more needs to be done and money invested if this league is to survive. Players cannot continue to pay for their rugby every year and the current pay to play system is detrimental to the development of the game. I think it starts with investment into the National team as no player should have to pay to play for their Country."
So, another summer of NWL rugby has passed. The quality of rugby continues to improve – the commitment and dedication of the players, coaches and managers remains firm, but with players and parents taking out 2nd mortgages and annual loans to take part, how long can the women’s game and its player endure the ever increasing cost?
On the field, women’s rugby was the winner and we were all treated to some high calibre, hard hitting, entertaining and exciting rugby. Congratulations to the players, coaches and managers of BC – you did the province proud once again and also, congratulations to all the players, coaches and managers from Alberta, Ontario and Quebec and of course the referees!!
BC win inaugural NWL championships with a 22-15 victory
It may not have been the best game BC ever played but they did enough to win, coming back in the second half with two tries. BC scored a quick try a few minutes into the game when Mandy Marchuk (#13) completed a backs move in the corner, Anna Schnell converted 7-0. Ontario hit back with a penalty, 7-3. Ontario scored off a quick tap and go after BC were penalized again, the BC defence was caught napping and Ontario went into the half with an 8-7 lead.
BC came out firing and scored a try but it was called held up by the referee of the day who made a number of curious calls throughout the afternoon. But as poetic justice would have it, the BC backs (Stevi Schnoor #12) scored off the ensuing scrum and coupled with a previous penalty goal, lead by 17-8. Schnell converting both tries that BC had scored. The BC backs weren't finished and a fine run by Mandy Marchuk drew in the tacklers leaving winger (#11) Melisa Klein open for the third BC try. Score 22-8.
With time running down, the BC girls were getting stronger. A pass was picked off and BC threatened to score their fourth try, however the referee called it back on a penalty. The game ended with Ontario pressing and the referee about turning blue with the amount of breath he was expending into his whistle. Ontario's pressure paid off with a converted try. The game ended shortly after. A well deserved victory for the BC women.
We'll have all three BC tries on video highlights this week and our associate editor filmed the entire game from the stands, so we'll have the game on DVD for those interested. Contact us (editor@bcrugbynews.com) for cost and shipping rates.
Ontario v BC Final on August 18th at the Capilano's Klahanie Park @ 3:00pm: UPDATE Starting Lineups
Starting Lineups in .pdf format
by Stacy Malloch on www.rugbycanada.ca
updated Aug 15 2007
The stage is set for the inaugural National Women’s League final. On Saturday, August 18th at 3:00pm PT, British Columbia and Ontario will contest for the league championship.
Ontario, representing the east division, will take on British Columbia from the west, in what has become the most anticipated game of the season. The two teams have secured spots in the final with stellar season performances.
British Columbia finished the season undefeated at 3-0 and has outscored their opponents 168-13. Similarly, Ontario has been victorious in all three matches with blowout scores, setting them apart with 261 points scored and only 5 points conceded.
Leading up to the final, many of Team Ontario’s players have been participating in big playoff matches with their respective club sides. So far the task of keeping bumps and bruises to a minimum has been successful. “Our players have been great and they really look after themselves well for the most part,” says Ontario Head Coach John Coumbe-Lilley.
Ontario’s team for the final will be selected from a pool of 58 players, representing more than twenty clubs.
“Our strength is the unity through our diversity,” comments Coumbe-Lilley. “Playing against one another regularly in the Ontario Women’s League has helped to develop players’ individual games and prepare them to unite under the Rugby Ontario flag in the NWL.
“Our approach for the final is to continue to seek optimal performance. We expect BC to be top quality opponents. We expect a physical encounter and we know that BC will want to make a statement of intent early in the game. The quality of BC’s players and coaching is clear and they will demand our best game,” adds Coumbe-Lilley.
Both sides possess offensive flair and creativity paired with relentless defensive units. Team depth will undoubtedly be a factor in the season-ending match-up. Steve Bennett, head coach of British Columbia, also expects a grueling match.
“I would expect Ontario to be a fast-flowing, off-loading type of team. Given the quality of players that they have, I would expect the game to have very few mistakes. I think the winner of the game will be the team who makes fewer mistakes because of the quality of players,” explains Bennett.
British Columbia will look to make use of their pace, a strongpoint in their performances throughout the season. Bennett comments, “Our biggest strength has been our speed – our speed through the back row. We play a similar game to Ontario, by the sounds of things. We will try to keep it as free-flowing as possible, keep the ball alive, but make sure we are tactically sound as well.”
The two finalists will gather in the days prior to the August 18th kickoff for last minute preparations before the inaugural championship match, shaping up to be a memorable one.
Klahanie Park, home of Capilano RFC, will host the event in North Vancouver. General admission for the event is $5.00. Youth under the age of 16 attend at no cost.
An awards ceremony will follow the post-match meal, recognizing an east and west MVP, east and west Coaches of the Year and an MVP of the final match will be selected on the day.
BC Women win West with 74-5 victory over Manitoba and 70-3 win over Saskatchewan
By Meghan (Mooch) Mutrie
posted July 29 2007
The BC women’s team has just come off a very successful 5-day road trip, both on and off the field. The team met their goals of defeating the two prairie teams as well as coming together as a team.
The first fixture of the trip saw BC pitted against MB in Winnipeg at Maple Grove Rugby Park, home to last year’s National Rugby tournament. Despite the 35-degree heat, BC was able to string together some decent rugby. Admittedly it wasn’t the team’s best performance, with simple errors and 25 penalties against weighing on them, but they were able to pull out a 74–5 victory. There were some flashes of brilliance throughout the 80 minutes. MB native Mandy Marchak scored 5 phenomenal tries as a result of her strong running. Wing Amanda Miller broke the MB back line several times running impressive support lines and the BC forwards had their share of the try scoring as well, with points put up by Laura Foreman, Leslie McKenzie and Angela Mays. Julia Sugawara and Meghan Mutrie scored the remaining tries. Standoff Anna Schnell slotted 6 conversions, including one from the 5m line.
The Manitoba Buffalo did a wonderful job hosting the BC women, including all access wristbands for the ladies to join in on SpikeFest, a beach volleyball tournament with live performances and beer gardens. Mandy Marchak’s family also graciously opened their home and hosted the entire team for a BBQ where captain Marlene Donaldson (wearing a wig and a onesie) introduced the first installment of the faux reality show Age vs. Beauty. Rookies and vets were paired up not so randomly and were required to choreograph a little musical snack for the panel of judges (including BC’s own Simon Cowell, aka Steve Bennett). Meghan Mutrie and Christina Hastie won the dance off with a slight edge over a great effort by Stevi Schnoor, Brittany Waters and a lawn gnome.
Monday saw BC and SK for a 4:00 kick off in 41-degree weather with the Humidex. Sticking to their game plan, BC executed nicely for a 70-3 win. 8-man Marlene Donaldson led the way with 2 outstanding tries, capitalizing on hard work by the BC forwards. She would later complete the hat trick in the second half. Julia Sugawara used a double miss pass to take advantage of an overlap and found Leslie McKenzie on the run for a try. The 9-10 combination of Sugawara and Anna Schnell continues to be a solid one. Brittany Waters finished a great phase of offloading to touch down for a try in the corner. The forwards were outstanding in the game, disrupting almost every defensive lineout and not missing a beat when Heather Jacques was sent off for a yellow card in the first half. Jacques did return with a vengeance. Angela Mays and Marley Harris both had exceptional games; Harris blocking two SK clearance attempts. BC’s pace didn’t skip a beat when in the second half the subs were rotated in. Mel Klein took 3 different approaches to 3 different tries; a solo effort, a great support line and falling on a perfectly placed Stevi Schnoor grubber. Mandy Marchak again proved a player to be reckoned with, constantly breaking SK’s line of defense and adding a try to the tally. The score was rounded up by Meghan Mutrie (2) and Amanda Miller (1). SK also put on a great display of hospitality for the BC team.
The two wins put BC in the NWL inaugural championship game on August 18 in Vancouver against longstanding rival Ontario. The final location of the game is yet to be announced, but the BC team will appreciate the support generated by a home field advantage.
NWL: BC vs Alberta on July 7th in Abbotsford's Rotary Stadium: BC Lineup
posted July 4 2007
This game will feature 14 of the current Canada squad representing both teams.
Saturday July 7th, KO noon – Rotary Stadium, Abbotsford and followed by the NA4 final games. I have attached the squad should you wish to publish it.
This will be the toughest game BC play and it is a must win encounter!
Thanks
Steve Bennett
TEAM BC
1. KIM DONALDSON UBC
2. LESLEY MCKENZIE UBC RAVENS
3. CORINNE JACOBSEN BURNABY
4. MARLEY HARRIS BURNABY
5. DAWN MACDONALD VELOX
6. HEATHER JAQUES CAPILANO
7. BARBARA MERVIN VELOX
8. MARLENE DONALDSON © VELOX
9. JULIA SUGAWARA BURNABY
10. ANNA SCHNELL BURNABY
11. JESS DOVANNE VELOX
12. STEVI SCHNOOR UNITED
13. MEL KLEIN UNITED
14. BRITTANY WATERS MERALOMAS
15. MEAGAN MUTRIE VELOX
RESERVES
16. KATIE MAHER MERALOMAS
17. ANGELA MAYS NANAIMO
18. AMANDA MILLER SFU
19. LAURA FOREMAN BAYSIDE
20. CHRISTINA HASTIE BAYSIDE
21. CINDY YOC BAYSIDE
22. CANDICE BARRY UNITED
Coaching team: Steve Bennett, Walt Brandl, Frank Ellestad, Kary Steele
Sabrina Neufeld, Heather Stirrup
Management: Joanna MacLennan, Cheryl Foreman
Therapists: Deanna Schick, Corry Pettigrew
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