Welcome to this week's edition of Odds and Ends

This where we publish all those small items that don't necessarily merit a regular spot in our news rotation - but is worthy of mention to the wide audience that graces our website every month. If you have a segment you would like to submit go to http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/custom_page.cfm?clientid=3817&leagueid=13928&pageid=7461 and fill out the online form.

Latest BC rugby video by Bryan Kelly - & will Bryan get the AXE?

Our new West Coast intern Bryan Kelly is keeping up the good work he does for us in BC - with his latest report from Vancouver where the big sporting event of the weekend was the Meralomas taking on the Rowers. Check out his report here  - http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/videos.cfm?vpage=1&id=zAiUJXFss-E&leagueid=0&clientid=3817&CategoryID=0

Remember Bryan is still looking for support to be an Axeman this summer in Toronto - go to his Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=296986829387&ref=ts where you will find instructions on how you can help him achieve this lofty goal! Or go to www.axesummergig.ca

Blues Pre-season Combine/Open Trial

The Ontario Blues combine/open trial on February 27 (7-9 am at Varsity Stadium, Toronto) is attracting both large numbers and players from all over the province.
Over 30 players, from Ottawa to Sarnia and everywhere in between, have sent in their intent notes and will take their best shot at being invited to further Blues sessions.

“We see this as very positive, since a year ago no one really knew who we were and what we were trying to achieve,” said Team Manager Mark Winokur “now, it looks like players are recognizing the Blues as the pathway to the national team and are keen to see where they fit in.”

The Blues staff will evaluate the session on the 27th and invite any qualified players to train with the Blues squad in March; the Blues will be at Varsity Stadium on March 6 and 20 at 7 am, and at Burlington on March 13 at 6 pm. Sessions are open to the public and coaches are encouraged to attend.

Players may register for the February 27th session at arcbluesmgr@gmail.com

Prairie Wolf Pack Name new Coach

Mike Shelley is the new Head Coach for the Prairie Wolf Pack of the newly renamed Canadian Rugby Championship. The CRC is the Canadian leg of the Americas Rugby Championship, and will feature the four sides from the 2009 competition before the selection of a Canadian select side.

The Wolf Pack has its first regular season match August 14th against the BC Bears in Calgary.

Canadian Rugby Championship
Aug 7th – Ontario v Rock – Swilers
Aug 14th – Bears v Wolf Pack – Calgary
Aug 21st – Rock v Bears – BC
Aug 21st – Ontario v Wolf Pack - Calgary
Sept 4th – Wolf Pack v Rock – Swilers
Sept 4th – Bears v Ontario – Ontario
Sept 18th – Canada Final
Sept 25th – Canada Winner v USA Selects – TBC

Nomads host Co-Ed touch tournament

The Toronto Nomads are hosting a charity tournament on April 10 and I was hoping that Rugby Canada would like to get involved. The tournament will be a 7-style touch and co-ed.

April Scott-Clarke is looking for organizations to sponsor field time. The cost per hour for field space is $130 and hour. All sponsors would have their logos on the t-shirts we provide to the players and on the agendas, noting "These games made possible by ABC company."

Also, we are looking for prize items and welcome any donations that organizations can make.

All the money raised from the tournament will go toward club participants that are doing the Ride to Conquer Cancer, which benefits the Princess Margaret Hospital.

Contact April to enter a team or sponsor Field time - ascottclarke@yahoo.ca

Opportunity for Rugby Canada Fund Development Manager
There is an opportunity for a professional Fund raising development Manager at Rugby Canada. Full details for the posting are at http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/custom_page.cfm?clientid=3817&leagueid=0&pageid=7617

Canadian club tours to the Caribbean

A couple of Ontario clubs headed to more moderate climates to get a heavy dose of Vitamin D and play some pre-season rugby.

Congratulations to the Ottawa Irish (go the Green and Gold!) for their tour to the Bahamas the weekend of Feb 13th.  See the full match report on the OIRC site http://www.oirc.ca/

The Irish, packed with former greats including Al Charron and Greg Ashe - smashed their way to a 60-10 win over the local Conches. The team was packed with names from the glory days of the Ottawa club - when they ran riot over the rest of Ontario.

The Winnipeg Wasps also took flight to leave the deep freeze that is central Manitoba in February (at least the mosquitos aren't as bad this time of year!)

The Wasps were in Barbados from Feb 13th to 21st - no word on how they made out.


PEI Player headed to New Zealand

PEI born Matt Harris, who once played for Canada's U17 team is headed to New Zealand to take his game to the next level. See the item here from the Guardian newspaper on the Island.

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=328504&sc=102

Vulcan, Alberta Newspaper gushes about Cassandra Orr

While the official team announcement for Canada's U20 and U18 women's teams is due tomorrow- early word out for Cassandra Orr who will be on the pitch for the U18 squad headed to San Diego.

See the whole item from the Vulcan Advocate - http://www.vulcanadvocate.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2459313