While the athletics program has thrived this year at Collingwood despite the pandemic, it is clear that our athletes truly miss the thrill and excitement of all-out competition. With this in mind, Coach Tom Larisch had a brainwave. He proposed organizing a 'rugby program day' where each grade's players were divided into two even teams and then they would combine with the other grades and play in a match where the cumulative score decided the winner. Thus, the Grade 8's would be just as important as the Grade 12's in securing your team the victory.
Under normal circumstances, the senior rugby squad would have travelled to Australia on their bi-annual tour. Obviously, this did not happen due to the pandemic. However, an Australian theme was decided on and the two squads were given the names of the two most famous Aussie rugby teams – New South Wales Waratahs and the Queensland Reds. To ensure that the players would compete hard, the winners were to receive Magnum ice cream bars, which are a player favourite when the team is 'Down Under'.
Coach Larisch decided to name this event the Speirs Challenge Cup in honour of longtime rugby coach and school Athletic Director Dave Speirs. With the Cup and the Magnum bars on the line, the players took the field with the Collingwood Drum Line drumming them on. This added tremendously to the fun atmosphere. Thanks to Mr. Smith for bringing his musicians out.
It turned out that the players were ready to compete and the action was fast and furious. The skill level at all grades was tremendous. In the end, a last-minute try propelled the Reds to a 19-18 victory. It was a great day for everyone. Thanks to Mr. Hall, Mr. Murray, Mr. Takel, Mr. Rickard and of course, Mr. Larisch for his great idea.
This year's rugby grads pose with their coaches. L to R - Aly Mandami, Daniel Beaupre, Arthur Na, Sasha Haddad, Simon Burns.
Rugby Alumni - Joel Abdel-Barr, Lucas Beaupre, Nate Holm, Sebastian Hutton and Lucas Okano dropped by to watch the game and then play some touch rugby themselves. All five of these young men have two BC AA rugby gold medals at home.