2011 marked another active year 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 5 boys’ teams competing, as well as Heritage Park from Mission and Aldergrove Community School. The Abbotsford schools included Yale, Robert Bateman, Hansen, Mouat and Abby Collegiate
In the Provincial AAA division, Yale tied their best historic performance finishing 6th. Bateman ended the season at 9th in the same division. In the AA division, Hansen had a great year finishing 4th and Aldergrove completed the season just behind them in 5th. Mouat, Abby, and Heritage Park all worked to build their programs throughout the season.
The inception of a new seven’s initiative this year saw several players earn regional 7’s representation honors, including Jorden Best (Bateman), Spencer Loughlin (Yale), and Spencer Miller (Yale). Justin Douglas (Bateman) and Jorden Best were also involved with the Canada U-17 program.
At the senior girls level, 4 teams competed from Abbotsford, as well as Heritage Park and Aldergrove. Abbotsford teams included Abbotsford Collegiate, Rick Hansen, Robert Bateman and Yale Secondary. Heritage Park had a fantastic season and won the AA division, earning the title of 2011 AA BC Champions. Abbotsford Collegiate came 5th in the same division and Robert Bateman won the Tier 2 division. Rick Hansen, Yale, and Aldergrove worked hard to develop their programs in hopes of pursuing future accolades.
Abbotsford teams experienced much success at the junior level as well with 4 competitive teams in action, including Rick Hansen, Mouat, Bateman, as well as Heritage Park and Aldergrove. Yale and Bateman clashed in the Valley final where the Bateman Timberwolves were able to tame the Lions.
In Grade 8 action, Abbotsford schools 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 3rd in the Valley’s with Abby finishing 5th and Betty Gilbert 8th. For the first time, there was also a grade 7 league this year that featured Clayburn, Fraser and Abby. Fraser managed to win the final tournament.
The Abbotsford Grade 8 girls’ league saw six local teams competing for the Upper Fraser Valley championship, including Abby, Howe, W.A. Fraser, Reimer, Clayburn, and Heritage Park. Reimer managed to defeat Clayburn to win the championship while Fraser topped Abby in the semi-final.
The ARFC ran its annual 7’s tournament again this year on April 29 at Yale. With 30 teams competing in 5 divisions, there were some fantastic matches. Final winners included Yale edging out Mouat for the senior boys championship, Bateman winning the senior girls title, Yale winning the junior cup, Reimer winning the grade 8 boys championship, and Reimer securing the grade 8 girls division.
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) Center
Christian Styles (Yale) Center
Lucas Harder (Hansen) Center
Tyson Appeldoorn (Mouat) Wing
Justin Douglas (Bateman) Wing
Dallas Yassinsky (Abby) Wing
Doug Saunders (Aldergrove) Wing
Daniel McCutcheon (Hansen) Fullback
Michael Rose (Bateman) Fullback
Sr. Girls All-City
Abby Collegiate
Jacquie Tourand Prop
Jessica Sabourin Hook
Joyce Tran Center
Lauren Arthur Stand Off
Tiffany Picketts #8
Aldergrove
Kayla Singleton Hook
Ginger Broatch Back Row
Devan Cosens Stand Off
Toriah Aslin Center
Ashley Kazakoff Lock
Robert Bateman
Madison Borrows #8
Kali Desjardins Scrum Half
Sheldon Harder Flanker
Sarah Miller Center
Melody Kotze Prop
Heritage Park
Erin Chambers Stand Off
Hillary Novakoski #8
Chelsea Fowler Hook
Mackenzie Fowler Center/Wing
Kyla McKinstry Flanker
Maggie Stoberg Prop
Rick Hansen
Grace Okello Flanker
Hayley Olson Flanker
Shay Patterson #8
Tayler Moran Fullback
Sabrina Rai Stand Off
Yale
Annabel Arnott Stand Off
Mallory Dieno Lock
Laura Peters #8
Erica Van Ginkel Center
Danielle Elliott Fullback
Junior Boys All-City
Aldergrove
Will Foss #8
Tristan Buchner Flanker
Pietro Romegioli Center
Will Sitter Scrum Half
Tanner Cumiskey Stand Off
Heritage Park
Jason Hignell Stand Off
Kiefor Ziefflie Hook
James Ra Lock
Thomas Reed Fullback
Connor O’Brien Wing
Mouat
Sheridan Lawley Center
Shawn Gauba Prop
Steven Baker Flanker
Manpreet Chhina Scrum Half
Tanvir Brar Prop
Rick Hansen
Alex Ho Stand Off
Brandon Ho Flanker
Arsh Gill #8
Lucas Schwabb Scrum Half
Johnny Ly Lock
Robert Bateman
Kent Hicks Prop
Eric Roberts Stand off
Trenton Chard Center
Jason Kim #8
John Beckerleg Fullback
Yale
Ryan Barclay Wing
Spencer Miller Scrum Half
Jimmy Ahn Flanker
Keegan Carson Flanker
Kevin Davisson Hook
Grade 8 Boys
Abby Middle
Pranav Arya Prop
Michael Normand Back Row
Michael Spicer Scrum Half
Phil Cromwell Stand Off
Grayson Marquadt Center
Betty Gilbert
Josh Thiel Stand Off
Jake Thiel #8
Sang Nguyen Flanker
Nathan Dahl Fullback
Josh Desrosiers Center
Clayburn Middle
Chad Gregoire Flanker
Austen Zacher #8
Charlie Berard Scrum Half
Dilvir Brar Stand Off
Matt Keis Prop
Eugene Reimer Middle
Hamza Shah Wing
Daniel Cercel Flanker
Matt Cercel Prop
Riley Garrett #8
Kirat Badesha Fullback
W. A. Fraser Middle
Ryan Chandler Prop
Nic Ponak #8
Jakob Larsen Stand Off
Noah Bain Center
Nolan Easton Lock
Grade 7 Boys
Abby Middle
Kyle Davis Stand Off
Riley Nicholson Lock
Nick Dickson Wing
Landon Timmerman Lock
Josh Paz Scrum Half
W. A. Fraser Middle
Chris Combs #8
Jake Smith Scrum Half
Marshall Skapski Center
Brady Utas Center
Matthew Ponte Stand Off
Grade 8 Girls
Abby Middle
Hailey Smith Scrum Half
Lauren Soto Stand Off
Kiran Cheema Stand Off
Tina Ngo Hook
Reena Grewal #8
Clayburn Middle
Cassidy Ross Center
Sophia Belsher Scrum Half
Paige Thompson Prop
Breanne Sharpe Prop
Autumn Garrett Stand Off
Colleen and Gordie Howe Middle
Hannah Woodcock Scrum Half
Hailey Jameus #8
Kaylona Leggio Flanker
Simran Chaina Center
Erin Abbot Stand Off
Eugene Reimer Middle
Hope Anumba #8
Emma Livingstone Wing
Revine Gill Center
Monica Annecchini Prop
Maddy Richards Scrum Half
Heritage Park
Olivia Carpenter Stand Off
Carrie Sibrin Flanker
Cyprys Wales #8
Meagan Keys Hook
Amber Diselet Flank
W. A. Fraser Middle
Chrissa Perez #8
Katrina Moorthy Wing
Mackenzie Carson Scrum Half
Emily Pollastretti Lock
Alex Latimer Stand Off
