BEST OF 2018 CELEBRATED AT ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY
Bryan Kelly
Annual Awards Dinner & Hall of Fame Inductions
VICTORIA, BC (April 27, 2019) – Members of the Canadian Rugby community gathered on Friday evening at the Fairmont Empress in downtown Victoria to celebrate the best of 2018 and induct four new members to the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame.
Nearly 200 people, including national team athletes, provincial union representatives, Rugby Canada board members and staff and supporters, packed the house as part of the Annual General Meeting for the seventh edition of the prestigious event.
Emceed by local sportscaster Jeff King of CHEK News, the evening was also highlighted by presenting Chairman’s Awards to Samantha Shorter & Mike Luke, along with an Honorary Life Member to Barry Giffen.
2018 Annual Award Winners
Provincial Union of the Year - Rugby Ontario
Volunteer of the Year - Andrew Davies (ON)
Match Official of the Year - Chris Assmus (BC)
Female Coach of the Year - Kailyn Jones (ON)
Male Coach of the Year - Kevin Rouet (QC)
Female Young Player of the Year - Keyara Wardley (AB)
Male Young Player of the Year - Brock Webster (ON)
Women’s 7s Player of the Year - Bianca Farella (QC)
Men’s 7s Player of the Year - Nathan Hirayama (BC)
Women’s 15s Player of the Year - Janna Slevinsky (AB)
Men’s 15s Player of the Year - DTH van der Merwe (BC)
Gillian Florence Award - Laura Russell (ON)
Canadian Shield Award - Kyle Baillie (PEI)
Hall of Fame Inductees/category:
· Hans de Goede, Athlete
· Julie Foster, Athlete
· Scott Stewart, Athlete
· Mark Wyatt, Athlete
Additional recognitions:
Chairman’s Awards:
· Samantha Shorter, Outgoing President – BCRU
· Mike Luke, Rugby Americas North
Honorary Life Member
· Barry Giffen