Joining the “Scrum”—Getting “Hooked” on Canada!

This Saturday promises to be an emotional and historic moment for all Canadian rugby fans and hopefully many of you who have been involved in GNS rugby at any level or just a sports lover. For the first time in over a decade, the Canadian women’s XV rugby team will once again have the chance to lift the most prestigious trophy in the sport, and they’ll be doing so against the very team that denied them in 2014, England.

That final on August 17, 2014, was a landmark achievement for Canada, marking their first-ever appearance in the Women’s Rugby World Cup final. Though they lost 21–9 to a powerful England side, the match signaled Canada’s emergence as a true contender on the world stage. And now, while Canada has achieved great success in their women’s Rugby 7’s programme winning bronze and silver medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2024 Paris Olympics respectively, this is the first time the rugby XV’s have reached the World Cup final since 2014.

This occasion serves as a great opportunity to remember those from GNS who have excelled and enjoyed the thrill of competing in rugby for their country:

Paul Monaghan (attended 1971-1974) GNS’s first rugby international, gained international caps playing for Canada Sevens in Hong Kong in 1980, 1981, and 1982. In 1982 he was also awarded a Canada XV full test place as a centre vs. Japan.

Marius Felix (attended 1971-1974) played on four occasions in full Tests as a lock forward, from 1985-1996.

Chris Whittaker (attended 1977-1985) was selected for Canada in U-19, U-21, and U-23 sides and would go on to play professional rugby in Europe and play sixteen full Tests as a Lock forward between 1993-1999.

Jessie Frender (attended 1987-1990), a scrum-half, played for Team Canada Sevens between 1999-2005, earning 32 caps and was also Assistant Coach to Canada’s Maccabiah Games team in 2005.

Peter Jawl (attended 1994-2002), played fly-half for Canada’s 2008 Junior World Championship team.

Macbryan Bos (attended 2009-2012) was selected for Team Canada U-17 in 2010 and was a prop forward for the 2014 U-20 England Tour and the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy in Hong Kong.

Johnnie Humphries (attended 1996-1997) Played as a lock forward for Team Canada at the 2011 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Brendan Kelliher (attended 1999-2010) represented Canada 7’s at the World Student Games in 2014 in Brazil.

Shannon Houston (attended 1986-1998) played for Ireland’s XV as a fly half between 2006-13, and was on the Irish 7’s team 2014-17, competing at the Rio Olympics. She became the Team doctor for Canada Women’s XV in 2017 and the U-20 Men World Cup teams for 2018 and 2019.

Fergus Hall (2006-2012) a BC High School Athlete of the Year, was selected for Team Canada at U-18 and U-19.

Brennig Prevost (attended 2012-2016) played for Team Canada U-20 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy Tournament in Bucharest in 2018 and also the 2021 World Rugby Sevens Series.

Ciaran Breen (attended 2011-2014) was a centre/full back who played with the Canadian Under-20s in 2020. In 2021 he appeared briefly in the World Rugby Sevens Series, and in 2022 he played with the Canadian Sevens team, making appearances at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England in July 2022, and at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, South Africa.

Chloe Hill-Huse (attended 2010-2018) was selected for the Canada Women’s Under-18 squad selection as Hooker for a 2019 Can-Am tour, in Chula Vista, California. Chloe is pictured in the lead picture, above.

Winston Stanley—long time GNS rugby coach, gained 66 caps for Canada making his debut in 1994 against the United States and playing at the 1995 Rugby World Cup finals and the 2003 Rugby World Cup finals.

Recently appointed staff member to the PHE Department Sara Kaljuvee, played on Canada’s U-20 Women’s team, won a Gold at the Pan Am 2015 & 2019 tournaments, a Bronze in 2016 for the 7’s at the Rio Olympics, and selected for Canada’s World Cup XV team in 2018 and 2022.

Also, it is also worth mentioning that two of the top players on this World Cup team on Saturday are from Victoria and do have a connection to GNS:

Sophie de Goede, recently nominated for Women’s World Rugby Player of the Year is the niece of former staff member Jim De Goede (worked for GNS 1978-1987).

Caroline Crossley is the daughter of recent staff member, Rhona Crossley (worked for GNS 2002-2022).

GO, CANADA GO! (Tune-in Saturday September 27th 8:00am PST on TSN1 or TSN4)