Ian MacLean has served the rugby community in BC as a coach, educator, administrator, builder and writer for over five decades. “Macca” arrived in Nanaimo from Australia in 1968 and immediately became involved in the rugby community on the island, resurrecting the defunct Nanaimo Hornets RFC with a group of local rugby enthusiasts. This incarnation of the club continues to this day, supporting and growing the rugby community in the Nanaimo area. MacLean then took up coaching, accepting a position with the University of Victoria in 1970. In 1972 as the Vikes’ head coach, MacLean took UVic on a tour of Australia and Fiji, fielding a team that featured five players who would go on to pull on the red-and-white of Canada.

MacLean then became a player-coach at Oak Bay Wanderers, staying on as a coach after a leg injury ended his playing career. Ian also coached the VIRU Junior Tide in 1974 and Castaway Rugby Club in 1975 before returning to coach UVic in 1977, winning a Canada West title and embarking on a European tour that saw the Vikes field 3 more future national team players. Furthermore, as a board member at UVic, Ian helped approve Tier One varsity status for the Vikes Rugby program, securing funding, scholarships, and paid coaching positions. He ended his coaching career with a return to the VIRU Tide, leaing the senior Crimson Tide team to victory over Cambridge University and once again coaching the Junior Tide team.

Perhaps MacLean’s most lasting legacy is his commitment to furthering the growth of youth rugby on the Island. He co-founded the Greater Victoria Elementary School Rugby Program in 1972, a program which continues to this day, bringing the sport of rugby into the lives of thousands of boys and girls, many of whom have continued to play rugby with clubs and regional, provincial and national sides. Ian’s passionate involvement in the junior side of the game led to his nurturing both the Minis and Junior Girls’ programs at CW. These programs continue to endure as a legacy of Ian’s commitment to the game, establishing a pathway for young female players that continues to deliver talented athletes at the highest levels. MacLean has continued to help grow youth rugby on the island, introducing a Victoria Try Rugby program in 2019. MacLean was president of Castaway Wanderers from 2004-2008, and a figure in the club’s 2011 Premiership title run.

In recent years, MacLean has developed and maintained the Castaway Wanderers website, where he is an active blogger and game reporter. “Macca” has committed himself for decades to building and sustaining rugby at all levels. His vision, dedication and vigor have benefitted Rugby development throughout BC, and his BC Rugby Hall of Fame induction serves to recognize and honour his commitment to the community.

Pat Palmer has been a figure in British Columbia’s rugby community for the better part of four decades. Playing high school rugby at St. George’s School, Palmer quickly found himself playing first division rugby for Vancouver Rowing Club in 1980 before joining the UBC Thunderbirds. He then subsequently joined the UBCOB Ravens, where he would go on to play for seven seasons. His talent was quickly recognized, with selections to Team BC’s senior XVs and then Canada’s Senior National XVs team as early as 1983. Sevens was next for Palmer, who was selected to the Canadian national team in 1984.

Palmer would go onto play nationally for both the XVs and sevens’ teams until his retirement in 1994. He played at World Cups in 1987 and 1991, and nine editions of the Hong Kong Sevens tournament, making it as far as the semifinals in 1991. The Canadian team he played with at the 1991 World Cup has since been inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame. When Palmer retired, he was Canada’s all-time leading XVs try scorer, scoring 10 tries in 22 caps.

Not to be outdone by his own playing career, Palmer’s coaching career began in 1981 and continues to this day. While his playing career continued elsewhere, Palmer remained involved with the St. George’s School program as a coach, where he is still coaching today for both their XVs and sevens teams, winning provincial XVs titles in 1994, 2004 and 2005. He coached junior BC Rep teams from 1995 to 1998, and U17 Canadian XVs from 1996 to 1999, including as the head coach in1997 where Canada went undefeated on their Germany tour, and as an assistant in 1998 when Canada finished fourth at the Junior World Championships.

Palmer was the head coach of the Canadian Sevens team that won the plate at the Mar del Plata sevens in 1998. Palmer’s coaching and playing career has spanned the course of decades and impacted rugby both in BC and with Canadian national teams, and BC Rugby is proud to welcome him into the Hall of Fame for his accomplishments and dedication to the sport.

A pioneer of women’s rugby in the 1990s and 2000s, Leslie Cripps achieved success in both Canada and England, blazing a path for other aspiring young female players. Hailing from Williams Lake in the BC Interior, she was the first female rugby player from the community to represent both Province and country in this great sport. Establishing herself as part of the University of Victoria team in the late 1990s, Leslie was called up to the BC Provincial team in 1999 and soon after the Canada Under 23 Team.

She would go on to play for Victoria Velox and James Bay at the turn of the millennium while continuing to make a name for herself on the Canadian National Women’s Team. In 2001, Leslie made the move to England and joined Saracens Women’s Rugby and made an immediate impact, winning the “New Player of The Year” award. Much more was to follow, with Saracens claiming a total of five Women’s Premiership titles (2002, 2006-2009) during Leslie’s time with the club, where she was hailed as world class player by teammates.

On the international stage, Leslie would amass a total of 47 caps for her country, representing Canada at a total of three Women’s Rugby World Cups (2002, 2006 and 2010). She also had the honour of being invited to play for the Women’s Nomads RFC team on multiple occasions. Her reputation as a leader on the field and an ambassador off the field would also see her captain the National Team on a number of occasions including her final World Cup.

One of the most lasting legacies left by Leslie was the contribution to rugby culture in her home community of Williams Lake. Since her initial success, almost twenty young female stars have followed in Leslie’s footsteps and represented BC on the rugby field, four of whom would go on to play for Canada on the world stage. As a rugby star celebrated on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, a powerhouse of the Canadian Women’s National Team and an inspiration to generations of new rugby players, Leslie Cripps is a worthy addition to the BC Rugby Hall of Fame.

Achieving rugby success on both sides of the Pacific Ocean, Glenn Ennis carved out an impressive rugby career across two decades in the 1980s and 90s. An all-around sports star from a young age, Glenn was able to put his significant stature, strength and speed to immediate effect on the rugby field. Aged just 16, he was selected for the Okanagan U19 side and held his own against his older teammates and opponents.

Unsurprisingly, Glenn would feature frequently in BC Junior Teams and was the first Okanagan player to be selected to the Canadian Junior Team in 1982. A key player at James Bay and then Kats Rugby Club and a regular fixture on the BC Provincial Men’s Team, Glenn became known for his powerful on-field performances and earned his first cap for Canada against Japan in 1986. A further 31 caps would follow including a slew of notable highlights. Three Rugby World Cup appearances (1987, 1991 and 1995), three matches as captain of the National XV Team, six appearances at the Hong Kong Sevens and captain of Canada Sevens in 1992.

An undeniable presence on the field, his reputation was not limited to the shores of Canada. Glenn would receive multiple invitations to play for Barbarians RFC and played on the World XV that toured Northern England in 1989. He would also become one of the first foreign players to sign a professional rugby contract in Japan, representing Suntory on a record 90 appearances between 1991-1999 and helping secure the Japanese Championship in 1995.

A player who gave his body and soul to the sport of rugby, Glenn continues to give back generously to the community that supported him so much in his early years, supporting future stars from the Okanagan. As an individual who embodied the physicality, dedication and athleticism required to be successful on the international stage, Glenn Ennis more than merits his induction into the BC Rugby Hall of Fame.

A prolific coach and developer of talent across school, club, provincial and national teams, Tim Murdy is one of the most efficacious builders of rugby players in BC. While his playing career alone could be considered commendable, covering Carson Graham Secondary, Capilano College, UBC Thunderbirds, Capilano RFC, as well as Regional, Provincial and National caps, it would be the world of coaching where Tim would ultimately make his biggest impact. A firm believer in developing players through exposure to the game at the highest level, he would ultimately be responsible for programs that produced an incredible number of international players, over 100 and climbing.

These athletes would all go on to represent Canada and other countries with great distinction at the various levels of play including top-flight international tournaments and World Cups. In addition, a number of these athletes would go on to achieve professional playing careers in countries including France, England and the United States. As a coach, Tim would achieve success with multiple schools, clubs and programs including 16 Provincial Boy’s High School titles (11 with Shawnigan Lake), three titles with Capilano RFC and countless international fixtures and tournaments with Provincial and National Programs.

He is the only coach in BC School Sports history to win provincial Championships with three different schools, amassed five National Championship titles as Head Coach and was a National Team Coach for Rugby Canada for 10 years. Growing the game is just as important to Tim, who regularly shares his passion and expertise by acting as a guest coach at local schools, running sessions with both visiting teams and internationally.

Few people can claim to have had such a wide-ranging and successful rugby career in British Columbia as Tim Murdy, an individual who consistently developed flourishing programs that produced elite athletes. He is without question a fitting addition tothe BC Rugby Hall of Fame.

Ruth Hellerud-Brown is widely acknowledged as an architect of the game of rugby for women in Canada. Seen as a force and a leader on the field, she represented Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia at National Championships from 1984 to 1993. In British Columbia, in particular, her impact on the development of the game for women is indelible.

Ruth devoted considerable efforts to raise the level of play across three provinces. She was a founder and leading member of the Coven RFC (1982) in the Alberta Women‘s Rugby league and represented the Alberta Rugby Union 1984 to 1987, serving as captain for many of these games. In 1987, Hellerud-Brown became the Director of the National Women’s Rugby Team (CRU Women’s Rugby Committee) and, a year later, represented the Saskatchewan Rugby Union. She represented the BC Rugby Union from 1989 to 1993, during which time she founded and coached the University of British Columbia’s Women’s rugby team for three years, before moving to the Vancouver Rowing Club, where she started a women’s rugby team.

A member of the 1987 squad, Canada’s first women’s rugby team, Ruth also took on the role of Director of the National Women’s team for that inaugural match. As an international player, she earned eleven caps, captaining the team on nine of those occasions. She was an integral part of the Canadian Women’s team at the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup in Wales in 1991, where the team came 5th and won the Plate. From 1990 to 1997 Hellerud-Brown coached the BCRU’s Senior Women’s squad and was one of the first women to coach a provincial squad to a National Championship.

In 2001, Hellerud-Brown received the Joan Spray Award, presented annually to a female member of the BC Rugby community who, through volunteering, has exhibited dedication through a lifelong contribution to the sport. Her legacy is also recognised in the title of one of the top competitions in the Senior Women’s game, the Ruth Hellerud-Brown Cup.

Her commitment to women’s rugby from club to international stage singles her out as an indisputable and welcome addition to the BC Rugby Hall of Fame.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Alan “Huddy” Hudson enjoyed a near twenty year playing career before beginning his involvement in refereeing in the late eighties. He joined the Vancouver Fraser Valley Rugby Referees Society (VFVRRS) and has been a member ever since, including a period as President, eventually becoming a Life Member in 2007. Throughout this time, he completed all IRB/World Rugby referee accreditations and was President of the BC Rugby Referees Society. He has refereed in BC at all levels of the game from youth and schools to Premier Senior Men’s, and continues to enjoy being in the middle of the field on a Saturday afternoon.

Hudson joined the Rugby Canada National Panel of Referees in 1999, was a member until 2005, and refereed across Canada, USA, the Caribbean, and had a long refereeing exchange in Wales. The highlight though was refereeing at the Under 19 World Championships in Italy in 2002. In 2006, Alan completed the Coaches of Match Officials accreditation, and continues to be active in this important referee-coaching role at matches and events throughout each season. He was also the recipient of the BC Rugby Official of the Year award in 2008.

Off the field, Hudson had a very successful career as a lawyer, being partner at a major Vancouver law firm for eighteen years, before forming his own law firm in 1994, from which he has recently retired.

Utilizing his background as a lawyer, Hudson began his journey into the rugby judiciary area by completing the IRB Judicial Officer’s workshop in 2008. Since then, he has been a Judicial Officer or Appeals Officer for countless Rugby Canada events. A few of his most notable accomplishments in his international JO career include the 2008 San Diego 7s and Hong Kong 7s, 2009 British and Irish Lions test series in South Africa, 2015 Rugby World Cup, 2017 Americas Rugby Championship, numerous World Sevens Series tournaments and countless international fixtures across the globe.

For his skills as a referee, but especially for his role in World Rugby judiciary, his on-going mentoring of his peers, and his stature in international rugby, Alan “Huddy” Hudson makes an excellent inductee to the BCRU Hall of Fame.

Originally from Wales, Mel Jones arrived in Victoria, BC, in 1969. He joined the Castaways Club as a player and introduced rugby at Glenlyon School, where he served as coach. In 1972, he moved to St. Michaels University School, where he continued coaching until 1991. Overseas tours were an integral part of all the programs to which he contributed.

In 1975, having retired from playing the game, he joined the Vancouver Island Rugby Referees Society (VIRRS) in order to “give something back to the game.” During his time as an active referee, he officiated at Japan Cup, Dunbar Cup and McKechnie Cup matches. He began a three-year term as President of the VIRRS in 1985, having been its allocator for several years prior.

In 1992, he joined the Board of the British Columbia Rugby Union as Chairman of Referees, where he introduced and oversaw initiatives in fitness testing, performance evaluation models, data gathering, interpretation and feedback to referees. A provincial panel of assessors followed, as did a provincial referees society (BCRRS). Mel Jones served as the BCRRS’ first President and wrote its constitution.

In 1997, he was invited to join the Referees and Laws Committee of Rugby Canada and was its Chair from 2000-2003 and 2005-2009. There he introduced national level initiatives such as fitness testing, Knowledge of Law, Participation and Self-Development. After attending an International Rugby Board (iRB) Game Development Workshop in 1999, he conducted the iRB Level III Referee Assessor Course innumerous Canadian and American cities, as well as in Fiji for the PacRim group. He also led the first iRB Level II Referee Coaching courses in Victoria and Vancouver.

His international career as a referee performance assessor began in 1997 and in 2002 he was appointed to the iRB Tier II Assessors panel. During his career, he reviewed referee performances at 20 Senior Men’s Internationals, which included the PacRim, PARA and Churchill Cup competitions, as well as the 2003 Rugby World Cup qualifying matches.

He represented Canada as a Performance Reviewer at the 2004 iRB World 7’s in Los Angeles, the 2005 U19 World Championships in Durban, South Africa and the 2006 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Edmonton, Alberta.

In addition, he qualified in 2005 as an iRB Citing Commissioner and an iRB Trainer of referees, referee coaches and educators.

Even when he was making his mark nationally and internationally, his main focus never strayed from the two societies closest to him in all ways, the VIRRS and the BCRRS. This commitment was exemplified by the numerous referee courses given and performance assessments written by him during that time. His objective for the performance review process for the referees was quite simple: to make the referees better in their next game.

Mel Jones was duly named a life member of the VIRRS in 2005 and life member of the BCRRS in 2010.

Kelly McCallum revealed her athleticism as a teenager at Balmoral Junior High School and Earl Marriott Secondary School where she excelled at soccer and water polo. At one point she traveled to Quebec to train with the Canadian women’s water polo team. In 1993, while attending Douglas College on a soccer scholarship, she was a spectator at a rugby game when asked to play on the wing for Douglas RFC because they were a player short.

Kelly continued to play both sports for one more year before opting for the Douglas RFC in the West Coast Women‘s Rugby Association until the end of 2002. With a year away (1998) to travel in Europe and study as an exchange student at the University of Queensland (Brisbane), she joined the Brothers RFC, scored two tries against the favoured Queensland University in the Queensland Grand Final and was the leading scorer for the club (including all the men’s teams).

As captain of Douglas from 1999 to 2002, Kelly led the Premier side in winning two of four provincial finals. During two championship seasons, the team compiled a 35-2-1 record and outscored the local and Pacific Northwest teams by large margins. Throughout McCallum‘s career with Douglas, she received several Outstanding Back and Most Valuable Player Awards and in 2001-2002 was named the BCRU Player of the Year, the first woman to be accorded this honour. From 1999 to 2001, McCallum initiated and coached girl’s rugby at Elgin Park Secondary School.

In inter-union and inter-provincial competition, McCallum was a standout player and captain for both the Fraser Valley and British Columbia and played for British Columbia in 1994 (national champion), 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2000. From 2002 to 2008, she played overseas with Richmond (England) and Sydney University (Australia). In 2002-03, she was Richmond‘s Premier team’s Outstanding Back and in 2004-05 was the Most Valuable Player. She also found time to coach the Richmond Academy from 2002-2004. McCallum was introduced to seven-a-side when she won a spot on Canada‘s first-ever women’s side at Hong Kong in 1997 - the first year for international sevens’ competition for women - and was the leading scorer for Canada.

McCallum was first capped for Canada 15s in 2001 against the USA, was capped 30 times in six years and played in the 2002 and 2006 Women‘s Rugby World Cups. From 2004 to 2006 she captained the team from fly-half and used her goal-kicking skills for conversions and penalty goals while being captain on 16 occasions. During her time with the national team, she represented Canada with pride and distinction and was an excellent role model for all young women with her dedication to be the best. With her discipline and leadership McCallum was instrumental in building a foundation and culture within the women’s program.

McCallum has been an ambassador for British Columbia and Canadian women by playing and/or coaching in England, Australia and Japan. Her involvement with the Japan Rugby Football Union as the Olympic Academy Woman‘s Sevens Rugby Coach and technical advisor for the national women’s 15s from 2010-2012 was yet another example of her leadership and dedication to high performance.

Indeed, Kelly McCallum’s sparkling rugby career for her club, sub-union, province and Canada warranted her inclusion.

Douglas (Doug) Sturrock has been involved as a player, coach, selector and administrator with the game of rugby union locally, provincially and nationally for over six decades. Like many graduates of Kitsilano Secondary School, Doug joined the Meraloma Club as a player and later served seven years as a coach. He also played at the University of British Columbia, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Physical Education degree. Later, Doug completed a Master of Arts degree in History at the University of Alberta where he participated in rugby as a player/coach.

After graduating from UBC, Doug began a long and successful career as a Physical Education teacher and rugby coach in Vancouver, most notably at Magee Secondary School. Doug coached at Magee for 34 years, including six years after he had retired as a teacher. In recognition of Doug’s years of service as a teacher, department head and coach, the gymnasium at the new Magee Secondary School was named in his honour.

This was just one of the many honours and awards that Doug received over his long teaching and rugby career. He has been the recipient of the Vancouver Secondary Schools Athletic Association Longstanding Service Award, a BC Schools Sports Honour Award, the Sport BC President’s Award, a BC Secondary Schools Rugby Union Honorary Life Membership, the Vancouver Rugby Union C. W. Stoess Trophy (for sportsmanship, leadership and playing ability) and The BC Rugby Union Jack Patterson Award, (for outstanding contribution to the game of rugby football in British Columbia).

The awards listed above indicate the recognition that Doug’s rugby associates have made of his service to the game in many capacities from the school to the international level.

Doug’s interest in rugby extends far beyond the many years that he has spent as a player, coach, clinician, selector and administrator. He has become the custodian of our game, the keeper of our past, the wise observer of our present. Doug co-authored a history of the Meraloma Club, and acts as the Honorary Historian for that club, the BC Secondary Schools Rugby Union, the BC Rugby Union and for Rugby Canada. Because of Doug’s knowledge of our rugby past he has also been appointed to chair the BC Rugby Union Hall of Fame Selection Committee. Doug also served as chair of the BC Rugby Union Centennial History Committee.

Doug Sturrock has served as the premier historian of rugby in our province and has been an influential advocate in promoting the BC Rugby Hall of Fame. His tireless research work has paved the way for the induction of several of the Hall of Fame’s current members and it is most fitting that he now joins them as a Builder.

For people who have known Gary Johnston for any length of time, few would disagree that the word "failure" does not exist in his vocabulary. When he played on a school, university, club, sub-union, provincial or national team Johnston thought that winning was the only option. Johnston was an outstanding player and captain for his club, James Bay Athletic Association, British Columbia and for Canada, though he only received one cap, in 1978 against France. With his ongoing knowledge, determination and dedication, Johnston convinced players how the game should be played in order for them to finish with more points than opponents at the final whistle.

He has always been a deep thinker and willing to experiment with tactics. When Johnston became a coach, he applied many of the lessons he learned as a player and always wanted to be on the leading edge in this position. He has influenced players and coaches in both British Columbia and in Canada and the phrase "you cannot argue with success" applies to Johnston. He was Canada‘s first World Cup coach and his provincial teams have won national championships at the Under 19 and senior levels. His Oak Bay School has won five provincial titles. He has presided over James Bay Athletic Association and sits on the BC Schools committee. After a time away the national scene, he surfaced as an assistant coach with the senior men’s team at the 2003 World Cup and head coach of Under 19 team in Ireland in 2007. All in all, Gary Johnston has had an illustrious career.

Spence McTavish‘s high level of performances and record during his rugby career as a club, sub-union, provincial, and national team player is without doubt. After a stellar career at UBC, he was a founding member of the UBC Old Boys for whom he played and later coached. All the while, he always coached at Lord Byng Secondary School. Having not yet been selected for BC in 1970, he was chosen to represent Canada against Fiji and by 1987 had become both BC’s and Canada‘s longest serving player of international standing. He scored a try in his first game and seventeen years later was in the lineup for two of Canada’s three appearances in the first Rugby World Cup. When long hair was in vogue, McTavish was a favourite with spectators who were thrilled by the sight of the wing three-quarter with long, blond hair streaking for the corner to score a try.

McTavish‘s 22 international appearances for Canada (1970 to 1987) were remarkable considering only one other Canadian player has had the equivalent longevity on the national team. His ability as a leader was verified by his captaincy for two of the four overseas tours made by Canada. On the 1979 Wales, England, France tour, he played in all six games and was captain for two. McTavish’s talent was recognized overseas by his selection in 1976 to an Overseas XV against Cardiff.

In 1973 he received the Bobby Gaul Award as UBC‘s outstanding male athlete and in 1976 was awarded the VRU’s Howie McPhee Trophy for playing ability, sportsmanship, and leadership. From 1971 to 1986 he was on the BC team that competed in the Canadian final most of the time.

McTavish‘s record in the fifteen-a-side game almost parallels his exploits in the seven-a-side version of the game. During his three years at the HK 7’s, he was always the captain. From 1994 to1998, he returned to the game as a coach, preparing teams for international competitions, including Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup 7’s.

Always a believer that one should lead by example, McTavish has provided ample evidence during his career for others to emulate in years to come. In the pre-professional era, he was a true professional with his high level of excellence during a remarkable career as an athlete.

Lloyd Williams began his rugby involvement in 1936 as a stellar player at Kitsilano High school in Vancouver and it ended in 1978 after he had served two years as the past president of the British Columbia Union. While he was still a schoolboy in 1940, Williams played for the Meralomas senior men when they won the Miller Cup and for the Vancouver representative team in the McKechnie Cup series. After leaving school, Williams joined the Royal Canadian Navy and formed a team from among the other recent recruits. When he was transferred to Victoria, he played for HMCS Royal Roads as well as the Victoria representative team. Overseas service with the Navy during World War II may have interfered with his playing career but it did not dim his enthusiasm for the game as he was instrumental in starting the Varsity Vets team in 1945 when he enrolled at UBC. Williams played for Vancouver several times until 1950, appeared briefly as a replacement when Vancouver played Australia in 1948 and served on the Vancouver Rugby Union executive from 1946 to 1949. In all, he played for all three unions in the McKechnie Cup series in the 1940’s - Vancouver, Victoria and UBC.

Business and family commitments from 1951 to 1968 took priority for Williams but his desire to provide leadership in the British Columbia Rugby Union was demonstrated thereafter when he chaired the junior and senior selection committees and served as both vice-president (1972-74) and president (1974-76) of the Union. He was the Honorary Manager of the British Columbia team on its England - Wales tour in 1976 and was a director of the Canadian Rugby Union in 1976-77. In 1977 he was one of two Canadian Rugby Union Representatives at the inaugural pacific Rugby Congress in New Zealand.

First a player and later an administrator, Lloyd Williams’ contribution to rugby over a forty-year period was interrupted only by commitments to military service, business and family.

Destined for greatness since his days at Victoria‘s St. Michael’s University School, Gareth Rees participated in an unprecedented four Rugby World Cups - 1987, 1991, 1995 and 1999 - and was the captain 1995 and 1999. After receiving his first under-19 cap in 1985 as captain against England Colts he attended Harrow School in England and in 1986 he was again captain when Canada under-19 defeated Welsh Youth. That year, Rees also received his first senior cap against the USA, thereby having the distinction of being Canada‘s only player capped at both the under-19 and senior level in the same year. Though he was one of the youngest players at age 19 in the 1987 World Cup, his previous year’s learning with Harrow, Middlesex, Wasps in the 1986 John Player Cup final and on Rugby Canada’s tour to Ireland was put to good use.

Rees‘ appearances at the Hong Kong and Sydney Sevens in 1988 brought attention to both his versatility and to his captaincy skills which were revealed in British Columbia’s centenary matches against Japan, Ireland, New Zealand and Wales B in 1989.

During the 1990‘s, Rees was Canada’s most recognized player on the world rugby stage where his peerless goal-kicking won countless matches, especially Canada‘s 1993 match against Wales in Cardiff. After playing for University of Victoria, Castaway Wanderers, Vancouver Island Crimson Tide, British Columbia and Canada. Rees pursued a career overseas with Newport, Bedford, Merignac, Wasps and Harlequins. He won two ’Blues‘ while attending Oxford University in the annual Varsity match and played for the Barbarians three times on their Easter tour of south Wales and again against Leicester. Other overseas representation included appearances with La Cote D’Argent, Public School Wanderers, Penguins, Irish Wolfhounds, Major Stanley XV and Crawshays XV.

While with Wasps in 1996-97, he was the top point scorer in England‘s Courage League Division One won by Wasps. In 1997, he captained Wasps against a World XV for the Sanyo Cup. Playing fullback in May, 1999, he equaled the individual record for a Cup final with 16 points when Wasps captured the Tetley’s Bitter Cup and the English League knockout club title.

When Rees captained Canada in the 1999 rugby World Cup in France, he made all 19 attempted kicks at goal. He retired from international play with a total of 492 points in 55 appearances for Canada, 25 of them as captain. In 2000, the Rugby Union Writers Club of Britain awarded him its Special Award, only the sixth person to be honoured.

The two-time University of Victoria Athlete was also inducted into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame and truly left an indelible mark on the game with his accomplishments and longevity both in British Columbia and overseas.

Like many referees before him, Jim Dunbar played school and club rugby before taking up the whistle. Following a ten year stint as a player with the Meralomas he chose to stay involved with the game as a referee. From 1955 to 1975 he officiated countless club and representative matches as well as the lowest level school contests. On more than one occasion he said that refereeing school games sharpened his fitness and decision-making.

Players and budding referees not only in British Columbia but also in Washington, Oregon and Alberta were the recipients of Jim’s instruction in the Laws of the Game and its variations.

When he was awarded the Jack Patterson Memorial Trophy in 1966, Arv Olson, the Vancouver Sun sports writer, said that although players may have cursed Jim, they had a high respect for his judgment. After driving to Oregon with Jim, a passenger remarked: "This Dunbar guy is the greatest-ever joke teller, manager, coach and all-round traveling bum you’ll ever find-let me recommend him."

Jim revealed his administrative abilities as a president and director of the Meraloma Club and as the BCRU chairman of referees and it was only fitting that he was chosen to referee Canada’s 2nd and 3rd home internationals, against England and Fiji.

Richard C. ‘Dick’ Ellis passed away as a result of a scuba-diving accident in 1974 having compiled an enviable career as a player, coach, selector and administrator. Possessing a unique and comprehensive knowledge of every aspect of the game at the club, provincial, national and international levels, he was president of the Canadian Rugby Union (now Rugby Canada) at the time of his death.

Subsequent to his playing days at Magee, Vancouver Rowing Club and Oak Bay Wanderers, Dick presided over Oak Bay, the Victoria Rugby Union, the BCRU, was the first president of the BC Sports Federation, one of the first trustees of the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and a director of the Canadian Rugby Union after its formation in 1965. As the 1967 Jack Patterson Memorial Trophy winner he exemplified leadership and organizational ability.

Dick was accorded the rare honour of being appointed the manager of the Canadian team for two overseas tours: in 1962 to the British Isles and in 1971 to Wales. He was one of Canada‘s representatives at the Centenary World Congress of the Rugby Football Union in 1970 and the Scottish Rugby Union’s Centenary celebrations in 1972.

Dick’s successful rugby calendar did not prevent him from pursuing many recreational interests while conducting a successful law practice. His ambition and commitment knew no bounds.

Born and schooled in England, Leonard Leroy was the premier player in Vancouver for eight years at the club, city, provincial and international levels. In 1966, he was one of the original nominees for the BC Sports Hall of Fame but was not selected.

Len came to Vancouver immediately after he left school and joined the Vancouver Rowing Club in 1925, the year he was selected to play for the Mainland against the New Zealand All Blacks. He captained the Club from 1928 to 1930 from his centre position until he retired in the mid Thirties.

A Vancouver Rowing Club member who saw him play said that as a back he was a joy to behold for he could do everything and do it remarkably well.

Probably the most talented back to play in the 1925-1935 decade, Len made more appearances than did any of his peers against the touring sides from New Zealand, New South Wales and Japan. He captained Canada on its tour to Japan in 1932 and though injured in the first match he returned to play in the last two, including the second test.

Born in Victoria, Emslie "Buck" Yeo‘s major’s accomplishments were in coaching and refereeing in Vancouver after he had attended McGill University. He taught, coached and refereed rugby and basketball at King Edward High School before becoming a senior referee. From the time he began officiating McKechnie Cup matches in the early 1920’s until he did his final games in 1939 his overall record was without parallel. When he was not carrying the whistle he was a touch judge.

He served as the Chairman of Referees for both the Vancouver and British Columbia Rugby Unions as well as officiating matches against New Zealand All Blacks, in both 1925 and 1936, New Zealand Maori, New South Wales Waratahs and Japan. In 1936, the All Blacks requested that he be the referee.

The World Cup matches between UBC and an American university benefited from Buck’s officiating as did the New Zealand Shield school matches for which he did every match but one from 1925-1938.

In the book First Fifty Years: Vancouver High Schools 1890-1940, it is stated that "Mr. Yeo, himself an old rugby player, brought a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the coaching of many of King Edward’s rugby and basketball team, and came to be regarded as the dean of rugby referees of Vancouver." He took a sabbatical from teaching during the Second World War and ended his career as principal of Magee Secondary School.