Rugby's Kelly-Anne Drummond Cup this Wednesday
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Kelly-Anne Drummond in action
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The
Concordia Stingers and the McGill Martlets will play the third annual
Kelly-Anne Drummond Cup in honor of late Stinger on Wednesday, Sept. 26
at 7 p.m. at Concordia Stadium.
The
game will be symbolic of women's university rugby supremacy in Montreal
and pay tribute to Kelly-Anne Drummond, who died tragically on Oct. 4,
2004. Her boyfriend was found guilty of stabbing her to death in
April 2006.
This week, women’s rugby will
celebrate Drummond’s spirit and love of rugby. She was a member
of the Stingers women's rugby team from 1999 through 2001. A
front row player, she was respected by her teammates for her commitment
to the game and her work ethic. She also charmed her many friends
with her inquisitiveness and fun-loving approach to life.
She graduated from Concordia University with a major in Communications in 2002.
A
moment of silence will be observed before the game. Afterwards
Doreen Haddad will present the trophy that bears her daughter's name to
the captains of the winning team.
At 9 p.m. on
Wednesday, the Concordia men’s team will host ETS. The hope is that
fans for the 2nd game will show up early and join members of the local
rugby community for the tribute to Drummond.
There is
no charge to attend the games. However, donations of cash, clothes and
toys for the West Island Women's Shelter would be appreciated.
NSWT: CANADA WINS SECOND INTERNATIONAL IN MINNESOTAAugust 29, 2007
Blaine, MN
Canada
defeated the USA 46 - 7 on Wednesday night at the National Sports
Center fields in Blaine, Minnesota, Canada beat the USA 18 - 5. It was
the second international between the two nations in the space of three
days; Canada beat the USA 18 - 5 on Monday night.
Only
3 minutes in the Canadian open-side flanker, Gillian Florence broke the
line and went for a 25-meter run to start the build-up of pressure on
the US. When the US gave up a penalty, Canada was able to capitalize
when fullback Megan Mutrie burst through a gap to cross the line and
claim the first try. The conversion was wide, Canada up 5 - nil.
Neither
team scored for the next 17 minutes until Canada fly-half Anna Schnell
put three more points on the board with another penalty. Seven minutes
later, she repeated the feat to put Canada in a comfortable 11-0 lead.
Moments
later, Mandy Marchak broke the line near half, allowing wing Julianne
Zussman to continue the run and cross the line. The conversion was
missed as Canada moved to a 16 - nil lead.
On the
stroke of half-time, Marchak was able to side step several opponents
before being stopped. Wing Ashley Patzer was there in support to bring
the score to 21-0 at the break.
The two teams had a 'rolling subs' agreement before the game but Canada chose not to avail of this until the second half.
Anna Schnell started the half with a penalty goal to up the score to 24-0.
Next Ashley Patzer had her second try of the game and with Anna’s conversion, the score at 52 minutes was 31-0.
The
USA, however were not to be left entirely off the board and were
rewarded for their effort of working the ball down the field with a try
from Farrah Douglas. The conversion was made by Maura Weikman, as the
USA trailed 31 - 7.
Gillian Florence made a break at 66 minutes in to crash over the line bringing the score to 36-7.
Canada
then worked the ball once again into their opponents' end. Ashley
Patzer used some shifty foot work before setting up Heather MacDonald
on the other wing for another try.
The final minutes of
the game saw Julianne Zussman break the gain-line at mid-field, drawing
the defender near the line to let Gillian Florence to bring the score
to 46-7 to end the game.
Full article
Montreal July 26, 2007
Press release
Pierre Drolet Retires from Rugby Canada National Panel of Referees
 Québec’s
only representative on the national panel of referees, Pierre Drolet,
has decided to retire from the elite group of referees at the end of
the 2007 domestic season. “The time couldn’t be better,”
commented the Pointe Claire resident. “The top-end games are
rightly being appointed to younger, equally competent referees and
these same people are working in an ever-improving infrastructure
within provincial and national structures. Development paths are
clearer than ever and it is the right time to make room for the next
generation of elite referees. The National Festival in St. John’s
will be my last as a referee for Rugby Canada. Plans though are
in the works for my continuing on as a referee-coach, which is a
welcome challenge for me.”
E. Gardner, P. Drolet, G. Bullen, T. Hirabahashi
Toshiba Super Cup 2005
After four years of refereeing within the provincial ranks, Drolet was
appointed to Rugby Canada’s national panel in 2002. Representative
honours include 2003 New Zealand Maori vs Canada All Stars; 2004 U19
World Championships in South Africa, and the RCSL final; 2005 Toshiba
Super Cup in Japan (Romania vs Japan and USA vs Romania); and Churchill
Cup appointments in 2003, 2004 and 2005 where he refereed the USA vs
Argentina.
Plans are for a complete break from rugby at the end of the 2007 season
in Québec for the president of the provincial referee’s society.
More time with family, spring fishing expeditions and tackling a
triathlon are in the works. “There is a clear need to get away
and re-charge my batteries for a while. I have invested much
energy in rugby and wish to return to it with that old drive that has
started to wane,” ruminated Drolet. “The game is unique and the
people are first-rate so I wish to continue to be involved with both in
a couple of years with renewed zeal.”
Montréal le 26 juillet 2007
Communiqué de presse
Pierre Drolet tire sa révérence du panel d’arbitres de rugby Canada
Le
seul représentant québécois au sein du panel d’arbitres de rugby
Canada, Pierre Drolet, tirera sa révérence de ce groupe élite à la fin
de la campagne 2007. « Le moment est propice, » a
commenté le résidant de Pointe Claire. « Les matchs de
niveau représentatif sont assignées aux jeunes arbitres afin de les
laisser se prouver eux-mêmes. Ces derniers évoluent au sein d’une
infrastructure provinciale et nationale en constante amélioration. Les
diverses voies menant au plus haut niveau pour un arbitre sont très
bien définies et c’est vraiment le temps de faire place aux arbitres
ayant un futur prometteur. Le festival de rugby Canada en août à
Terre Neuve sera mon dernier en tant qu’arbitre. Un nouveau défi, celui
d’entraîneur d’arbitre, est en place à mon retour. »
E. Gardner, P. Drolet, G. Bullen, T. Hirabahashi
Coupe Toshiba 2005, Tokyo
Après quatre années de développement au Québec, Drolet c’est vu promu
au panel national en 2002. Au niveau international, il était au
milieu des rencontres Maori de la Nouvelle Zélande / Équipe espoir du
Canada en 2003 ; le championnat mondial sous-19 en Afrique du Sud ainsi
que la finale interprovincial de la ligue canadienne du rugby en 2004;
les matchs Roumanie / Japon et Roumanie / États-Unis dans le cadre de
la Coupe Toshiba 2005 au Japon; ainsi que des assignations à la Coupe
Churchill en 2003, 2004 et 2005 ou il arbitra une dispute historique
entre l’Argentine et les États-Unis. Le président de l’Association des arbitres de rugby Québec
aura droit à un congé de toute implication dans ce sport qui domine sa
vie depuis plus de vingt ans. Plus de temps en famille, des expéditions
de pêche ainsi qu’une initiation au triathlon seront au menu à la fin
des compétitions provinciales. « Mes énergies doivent être
rétablies, c’est la raison pour un congé du rugby. Cela fait un
bout de temps que le feux sacré perd de son ampleur, » constata
Drolet. « Ce sport et son monde m’est trop important pour que je
ne donne de mon meilleur. Je souhaite revenir après un certain
temps avec la même conviction qui m’a propulsé dans son monde. »
NSW7s: CANADA TO DEEPEN SQUAD AHEAD OF 2009 SEVENS WORLD CUP
 July 26, 2007
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| Canada's sevens program is looking to expand its player pool ahead of 2009 Seven Rugby World Cup |
Toronto, ON
By Stacy Malloch
The NWS7s program is coming off of a successful training and selection
camp, held two weeks in Scarborough, Ontario. The camp was an
opportunity to see 17 new athletes, some of whom were unable to attend
the program’s inaugural camp earlier this year and some who haven’t yet
been selected into the team. Returning players also made an appearance
joining the mix for a one-day session, prior to competing in the
Magnificent 7s tournament on Sunday.
Talent
identification proved to be the most positive result of the camp. “To
see returning players compete with new players after a week of training
– it was really good,” stated Natascha Wesch, head coach of Canada
women's sevens.
Jocelyn Barrieau and Jessica Dovanne
deserve mention as two players who stepped up their performances and
demonstrated leadership throughout the weekend. “Another standout
player who did really well, who adapted extremely well to the sevens
game, was Maria Gallo,” added Wesch.
Veteran player
Colette McAuley was impressed with the performances of her fellow
athletes. “Some of the veteran 15s players who I’ve played with for
years showed some awesome affinity for the game. The younger kids, who
I’ve seen come through the age grade programs, are going to offer a ton
to the program as well.”
The program will continue to add depth to its player pool as it prepares for the NAWIRA Sevens to be held November 12th-18th.
“The
focus is going to be to take players from the new group that we want to
see perform again,” Wesch explains. “This will undoubtedly be a younger
group of athletes who show promise to remain competitive in the program
in the future.
In preparation for the USA Sevens in San
Diego, California in February of 2008, all of the athletes in the
sevens system will gather for an east or west camp this fall. Wesch and
staff will bring 20-24 from this group who will comprise two teams at
the competition next year.
“From there we will have a
really good idea of which athletes we are going to work with leading up
to the World Cup,” concluded Wesch.
In February of 2009 the Women’s IRB World Cup Sevens will take place concurrently with the men’s in Dubai.
Rob Cussen retires from Refereeing
Senior referee in Québec, Rob Cussen has decided to retire from refereeing effective July 8, 2007.
 Rob
has refereed at the very highest provincial levels in Québec, has had
national exposure within the Canadian Interuniversity Championships and
various inter-provincial appointments and tours within the United
States and Canada. He was appointed to the top men’s final in
2005 between the Montreal Barbarians and Ste-Anne de Bellevue.
Twice recipient of the King Hiscock Referee of the Year Award (2004
& 2005 pictured), Rob has also ably served the Québec Society of
Rugby Referees (Q.S.R.R.) as its treasurer for the past three seasons.
“Rob’s
contribution to the game in the province has been invaluable. His
abilities at various levels of competition from youth competitions
running through to tournament fixtures and the premier women and men’s
leagues, Rob has been able to deal with all varieties of play that we
see in this province,” commented Q.S.R.R. President Pierre
Drolet. Drolet adds, “filling the void left by this senior
referee will not be easy. He is one of the few people able to
referee at all levels. Clubs with teams in the highest divisions
will have some match re-scheduling to do. We can’t simply slide
any referee into those games; it does nothing to develop the referee or
service the game.”
Cussen cited increasing family and
work commitments as well as a lack of enjoyment from his involvement in
recent matches as part of his decision. The latest frustration stems
from “people who just don't appreciate what they have. I have
just had it with the verbal abuse. When people think, it is ok to walk
over players on the ground and prefer fighting rather than playing
rugby but then blame the ref afterwards I say what is the point?”
commented the senior referee, perhaps as a wake-up call to the players
and clubs.
“What I’ll miss the most are the friends and
numerous acquaintances I’ve made over these past 18 years in Rugby. I
have great memories created on many a Saturday” said Rob over sushi and
sake with a fellow senior referee.
Le rugby, un sport à découvrirpar Julie Charette
Article mis en ligne le 4 juillet 2007 à 17:10
 Sport
méconnu au Québec le rugby? Les joueurs du club de rugby de Ville de
Mont-Royal pourraient répondre par l’affirmative puisqu’ils évoluent
dans l’ombre des sports profitant d’une plus grande attention
médiatique. Fondé en 1954, le club de rugby de Ville de Mont-Royal a
une longue tradition d’excellence et a été l’un des clubs fondateurs de
la Fédération de rugby du Québec.
«Le club de Ville Mont-Royal a été l’un des premiers clubs fondés au
Québec et peut-être au Canada. L’équipe féminine a été formée plus
tard. Les joueuses n’avaient pas vraiment de compétition ici, alors
elles allaient se promener aux États-Unis», a
Les parties locales des équipes du club de rugby de Ville de Mont-Royal
ont lieu au Centre des loisirs, situé au 60 avenue Roosevelt. (Photo:
Courtoisie)
confié Michel François, entraîneur des équipes féminines de première et
de deuxième divisions du club de Ville de Mont-Royal.
Issu de la tradition sportive anglo-saxonne, le rugby est
particulièrement populaire en Nouvelle-Zélande, en Australie et en
Angleterre. Ce sport ne connaît pas la même ferveur au Québec. «Ici, on
n’a pas vraiment de visibilité. Au Canada, c’est demeuré amateur assez
longtemps et on a de la difficulté à se démarquer des autres grandes
fédérations sportives», a indiqué l’entraîneur.
Souvent décrit comme un sport privilégiant les contacts physiques, le
rugby se caractérise aussi par l’importance accordée à l’unité de
l’équipe et par le plaisir d’évoluer au sein d’un groupe de joueurs
soudés par le plaisir du sport. «Le rugby a un côté très compétitif,
mais il y a aussi un côté social et récréatif. C’est un jeu vraiment
social parce qu’on fraternise avec l’autre équipe après les matchs», a
expliqué Susy Bienstock, une joueuse évoluant avec la première division
du club de rugby de Ville de Mont-Royal et avec l’équipe senior du
Québec et du Canada.
La saison des équipes du club de rugby de Mont-Royal débute les
premiers jours de mai et se termine à la fin août. Les équipes
féminines prendront part à 10 parties cette année et les joueuses
doivent se soumettre à un horaire passablement chargé. Au rythme de
deux entraînements par semaine et d’une partie, généralement le samedi,
les joueuses consacrent beaucoup de temps et d’énergie à leur sport.
«Être une athlète c’est assez difficile, c’est vraiment une question
d’amour. On fait beaucoup de sacrifices, mais c’est tellement un sport
incroyable», a soufflé Mme Bienstock.
Un sport coûteux
L’entraîneur Michel François déplore que les athlètes pratiquant le
rugby ne bénéficient d’aucune aide des différents ordres de
gouvernement. «Même si on a des joueuses du club de Mont-Royal qui
évoluent avec l’équipe nationale, elles ne reçoivent pas de
subventions. Nos athlètes d’élite assument tous les coûts. On fait le
plus de levées de fonds possible. Par exemple, une joueuse sur l’équipe
senior du Québec doit débourser au-dessus de 5000 $ par année.»
Âgée de 29 ans, la joueuse de rugby Susy Bienstock est en mesure de
témoigner des difficultés financières vécues par les athlètes. «C’est
un choix de vie assez difficile. Cette année, j’ai déboursé entre 7000
$ et 8000 $ en frais pour faire partie des équipes de Mont-Royal, du
Québec et du Canada. On a des tournées partout dans le monde», a
signalé Mme Bienstock.
Maman d’une petite Juliette, Susy Bienstock est aussi propriétaire de
sa propre entreprise de graphisme. «J’essaie de combiner mes voyages de
rugby avec mon travail de graphiste!», a-t-elle lancé.
Le club de rugby de Ville de Mont-Royal entend favoriser la promotion
de ce sport au Québec et le développement des athlètes. Au sein de
l’équipe de première division féminine, quatre joueuses évoluent avec
l’équipe junior du Québec, alors que sept autres jouent avec l’équipe
senior du Québec.
Les équipes compétitives du club de rugby de Ville de Mont-Royal ont
favorisé le saut de Susy Bienstock vers les équipes d’élite. «Je
n’aurais jamais été repêché par l’équipe du Québec et par celle du
Canada, si je ne jouais pas avec le club de Mont-Royal.»
Le club de rugby de Ville de Mont-Royal est fortement tributaire du
dévouement démontré par ses bénévoles. «On a tellement d’aide de
l’équipe de Mont-Royal et de la communauté. Tous les gens qui
travaillent pour le club sont des bénévoles et ils font tout ce qu’ils
peuvent pour nous aider», a fait valoir Mme Bienstock.
La joueuse de rugby invite aussi les filles à s’intéresser à ce sport
ayant parfois mauvaise presse. «S’il y a des filles qui se cherchent
une activité physique pendant l’été et qu’elles veulent passer du bon
temps avec d’autres filles, elles peuvent toujours jouer en deuxième
division où c’est moins compétitif.»
Terrain local
Les parties locales des cinq équipes, deux féminines et trois
masculines, du club de rugby de Ville de Mont-Royal se déroulent au
Centre des loisirs.
Le calendrier des matchs à venir est disponible sur le site Internet du club au www.tmrrfc.qc.ca.
THE TOWN OF MOUNT-ROYAL RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB CELEBRATES ITS 50TH
August 31, 2005 Montreal, QC CREDIT: Rugby Canada News
It
is with great anticipation and pride that one of the oldest rugby clubs
in Montreal will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2005. The
birthday will be celebrated from September 2nd to September 4th 2005.
Many events are set to occur on Labour Day weekend to commemorate this
anniversary which will be officially launched at Scobie Hall, the
team’s clubhouse, on Friday September 2nd. On September 3rd, a slew of
matches will be taking place at the TMR Recreation Center, including
the classics like, the Over 30 vs. Under 30s (Men), Old Gals vs. Young
Chicks, The Old Boys’ game and for the first time a mini rugby session
featuring a 7 and under age group.
The
same night, the event will reach its height with a big dinner at the
Belvedere Room in Old Montreal Banquet Hall. On Sunday, September 4th,
again at the TMR Recreation Center, there will be a tree planting
ceremony celebrating the contributions of members who passed away over
the last few years. For a more detailed schedule of events, please
visit the following website: http://www.tmrrfc.qc.ca.
Even though
the Town of Mount-Royal Rugby Football Club was founded in 1954, it
wasn’t until 1955 that it played its first games when they helped found
what is known today as the Quebec Rugby Federation. In 1981, the Club
contributed again to the evolvement of the sport by adding a women’s
team. Currently, the Club boasts 3 senior men and 2 senior women’s
teams.
The
Club has always remained involved in the development and promotion of
the sport of rugby, as clearly demonstrated by the coaching it provides
at the different junior levels whether it be in the high schools, the
cegeps, at the regional, provincial or national levels. Thanks to this
constant involvement, TMRRFC can proudly boast that 18 of its current
members participated in 2005 in national tournaments, whether at the
senior or junior levels.
For more information:
Patrick Ghattas
President Town of Mount-Royal Rugby Football Club
patrickghattas@hotmail.com
Rugby right for Rosenbaum
Likes tough sport Ormstown teenager on national U-19 side
June 23, 2004 - CREDIT: JOHN KENNEY, THE GAZETTE
Jenny Rosenbaum only began to play rugby four years ago, attacted to
the rugged style of the sport, but is already a member of the Canadian
Under-19 team.
Jenny
Rosenbaum played a lot of sports growing up in the Eastern Townships
hamlet of Orms-town, but they were all a little too sissy for her.
Then, in Grade 10, she found rugby, and she was hooked.
"The
idea of playing a contact sport was very inviting," Rosenbaum said last
week at her N.D.G. apartment. "Contact is so prohibitive in other
sports." Her introduction to the rough-and-tumble game came only four
years ago, and this past Sunday, Rosenbaum left with the Canadian
Under-19 women's team on a tour of England for her first taste of
international competition.
While there, Rosenbaum, the only Quebec native on the national team, will play the English, Welsh and American Under-19 teams.
"It's going to be a little nerve-wracking," she said.
Her
amazingly quick ascension to the international level began two years
ago when she moved to Montreal to attend Dawson College. She decided at
that point to start playing for the Town of Mount Royal Rugby Club,
where she was noticed by Karl Cernovitch, a Quebec senior women's team
coach. He sat Rosenbaum down and told her she could become a strong
player if she worked at it.
A
few months later, Cernovitch delivered the news that Rosenbaum -
despite still being of junior age - would be the starting fullback for
the provincial senior team.
Rosenbaum
wasn't intimidated as she lined up against the best female rugby
players in the country at the national championships in Winnipeg last
year, even though she noticed a slight difference in stature between
herself and the other women.
"They
were just huge," Rosenbaum said. "But if you tackle low, it doesn't
really matter what size you are, unless they have enormous calves or
something. As long as I can get my arms around your legs, you're coming
down."
Quebec finished
third at the nationals last summer, where Rosenbaum caught the
attention of the Canadian Under-19 coaches. She was invited to a
training camp in October, where she helped the Under-19 team defeat the
University of Western Ontario Mustangs, the Ontario conference
champions, and by February, she was confirmed as a member of the
national team.
Rosenbaum
isn't worrying too much about her future in the national rugby program
because of all the variables - most notably injuries - that come into
play. But she knows she will continue playing for a while, no matter
the level.
"As long as
I'm learning and getting better, I'll keep playing," she said. "I can
have just as much fun playing on a second division team as I would
playing in a big game with the Quebec senior team."
The
Amateur Sports page runs every Wednesday. To see Jenny Rosenbaum in
action, tune into Global news (Cable 3) tonight at 6 and 11.
The Gazette (Montreal) 2004
Post Mont-Royal
Mount Royal Women's Rugby Team Off to the Emerald Isle
Vol. 64, No. 16 - Sunday, April 20, 2003
- Anna Bratulic
Members
of the Mount Royal women's rugby team is headed off to Kinsale Ireland
(near Cork) to take part in the Kinsale Sevens rugby tournament, an
international rugby competition drawing teams from some 11 countries
which take place from May 2-4.
The
team was originally supposed to tour to British Columbia earlier this
year, but decided to focus on a sevens tour (where there are only seven
players, rather than a fifteens tour where there are 15 players)
instead. "We're more successful in sevens anyway," said Susy Bienstock,
administrator as well as fly-half for the team.
In
2002, the team won the New York sevens, the largest tournament in North
America. "Since we came in first there, I thought we'd be good to go to
this tournament," said Bienstock.
The
number of men's teams slated to participate (70) far out number the
women's teams (16) and Bienstock believes that may have made getting a
spot on the tournament a little easier for them. It certainly has an
impact on the prize money to be awarded to the winners. The senior
men's winners will receive 7, 200 Euros plus a trophy. While the
winning senior women's team will receive only 1,000 Euro's plus a
trophy.
While the tournament,
sponsored by Heineken is competitive, the players will no doubt take
advantage if their trip overseas to do a little sight-seeing and a
little pub-hopping. "I'm not travelling all the way to Ireland to lose
a competition, but everyone is going to go their separate ways after
the tournament and some will travel around Europe," she said, adding
that the season will start a little later this year, on May 24, because
of that.
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