Simon Fraser University Rugby

In 1966, at a newly recognized university, the first Simon Fraser University Rugby Team was established. From 1966-1969, Morris Rees, “an old Welsh guy”, ran the Club with the aid of Al Bennie Sr., (whose son Alastair would join the club twenty years later). In 1970, the Club was restarted and grew to two men’s teams; unfortunately, these teams disbanded in 1976 until 3 years later.

In the fall of 1979, then students, Dick Woldring and Chris Collett met for the first time on the famed carpeted stairs of the SFU Pub, and deciding that their school was in much need of a rugby team, they agreed to restart the SFU Rugby Club. By 1981, SFU boasted two self-coached men’s teams, both of which carried on to the Fraser Valley Rugby Union 2nd and 3rd Div. Finals. It was in the years following 1979 that the Club produced a few Regional representative players: Frank Byl, Colin Cannon and Jeff Stipec. In the fall of that year, SFU acquired its first official women’s team. This team, founded by Beth Scott and including Tina Fuchs and Karen Moore, won a Provincial Championship in their 2nd year of competition and remained title-holders for the next 3 successive years.

The student run and operated SFU Rugby Club enjoyed many successful and sociable years, touring to such places as California (‘82, ‘84), England and Wales (‘85), England and Scotland (‘87). The 1987 tour took it’s toll on the clubs resources and, in the summer of that year, the possibility of another hiatus loomed. Alas, an emotional seaside meeting at former President Bryan Jones’ cabin on the Sunshine Coast produced a renewed commitment to keep the good ship afloat, and the Club’s renaissance gained new energy.

Old boys, including Woldring, Collett, Richard Ward, Derek Allen and Vaughn Krilow, returned to mentor the new members now joining in numbers. A young Darryl Lucas and Darin Barney, aided by the arrival of James Scouras, David Patterson and Brad Valentine, helped SFU Rugby rededicate itself to the true spirit of rugby. The arrival of successful tours to Florida and the Bahamas (‘91), England, Scotland and Wales (‘95) and Barcelona (2002) soon followed. The Club’s annual seven-a-side tournament, first held in 1983, was resurrected to become one of the premier events on the summer rugby calendar in BC.

This period also saw the formation of the Mountain Old Boys (now known as the Burnaby Mountain Rugby Association), and the establishment of the Alumni Chapter of the BMRA. The Alumni has since been a significant source of funds for the Club. In 1993, the Club awarded its first scholarship of $500 to David Patterson, and since that time, the Club has awarded over 35 scholarships to Club members.

1994 saw the arrival of the Clans first two import players. Steve Bennett and Keith Lumby joined the club, coming over from Lewes RFC in England. They added some much needed experience and size to the 1st team and both went on to play for the Fraser Valley.

Now, more than one hundred students, alumni and non-students make up the largest club at SFU. This year, the Club supports four teams within the BCRU: U-16 Boys, Men’s 3rd and 1st Divisions, and Women’s 1st Division. With its recent growth, the SFU Rugby Club continues to produce prominent individual successes.

The club currently boasts representative players from the Sub-Union to the National Level.

The 2009-10  season is already looking to be an exciting year, building on a now solid tradition of Rugby on the Hill.