BC’s 2024 Gerald McGavin Coaching Award Recipients, Jonathan Mergui (St. George’s School/BC Bears) and Darcy Patterson (Vancouver Thunderbirds/BC Bears Girls 7s), recently attended the Crusaders Leadership Programme with the established Super Rugby outfit in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The two-week course gave an overview of the Crusaders organisation, from CEO to kitman, and focused on the leadership values within the Club and the sport of Rugby.

The Crusaders are widely regarded as New Zealand’s top Super Rugby club (7 consecutive championships through June 2023), having furnished multiple players to the All Blacks, and most recently the All Blacks Head Coach Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson.

The Program also saw John and Darcy connect with local Clubs, attend Crusaders Men’s and Women’s team practices and local Premier Division Club practices, and also watch the Crusaders play the Blues in Christchurch at the Club’s Apollo Projects Stadium.

“The course was a great experience overall. We learned that care and connection is what makes that team special,” said Mergui.

Patterson added: “It was a fantastic experience. This year, the course highlighted Women’s Rugby more and the emerging professional game which was fantastic to learn about, as well as the established Crusaders brand. We met [Black Ferns athlete] Kendra Cocksedge and [Matatu Head Coach] Whitney Hansen which was very cool, along with all the big names in the Men’s program. It was a valuable experience about leadership, working in sport, the possibility of what that could look like in the future for the game and a refreshed perspective of how to bring that to our environment in BC.”

The Gerald McGavin Coaching Award, administered in partnership between BC Rugby and the Canadian Rugby Foundation, recognises Rugby Coaches from British Columbia who play a significant role in shaping young athletes both on and off the field.

Gerald McGavin is a former BC athlete who represented his province against world-renowned sides including the Barbarians, Australia, British & Irish Lions, and New Zealand Universities. Now a Member of both the Order of Canada and Order of BC, McGavin created the Award because of his love for the sport and to acknowledge the role Rugby played in shaping his life.

More information on the Gerald McGavin Award can be found here.

More information on the Crusaders can be found here.