BC RUGBY News

BC Pacific Pride Graduates Set To Join MLR In 2022

Duo part of 2021 Performance Academy graduates to secure MLR moves for 2022 season

Congratulations to two BC players, Foster DeWitt and Liam Murray, on graduating Rugby Canada’s Pacific Pride Performance Academy and joining Major League Rugby for the next stage of their careers!

Courtenay, BC, native DeWitt (Port Alberni Black Sheep) is joining New England Free Jacks, while Langley’s Murray (Langley Rugby Club, James Bay AA) will move to the Dallas Jackals for the 2022 season.

James O’Neill, from Cochrane, Alberta, (University of Victoria Vikes) will join the Toronto Arrows, while Edmonton’s Dewald Kotze (UBCOB Ravens) is also heading to the Jackals.

Pacific Pride Performance Academy 2021

DeWitt recently made his Rugby Canada Senior Men’s XVs debut against Belgium on November 13.

“It’s exciting to watch our Academy Pride players excel within the program and generate future opportunities for themselves within the rugby community,” said head coach Phil Mack. “The success these players are having not only benefits them individually, it also benefits Rugby Canada’s Men’s program moving forward.”

Pacific Pride Academy is a national high-performance men’s program, led by head coach Phil Mack, aimed at preparing young emerging Canadian players for professional rugby at the highest level.

Learn more about the Pacific Pride Academy.

2021 Pacific Pride Academy Graduates

Foster Dewitt
Hometown: Courtenay, BC
Years in Academy: 1.5
Previous Clubs: Port Alberni Black Sheep
Professional Club: New England Free Jacks

Liam Murray
Hometown: Langley, BC
Years in Academy: 2
Previous Clubs: Langley Rugby Club, James Bay AA
Professional Club: Dallas Jackals

Emerson Prior
Hometown: Brockville, ON
Years in Academy: 2
Previous Clubs: Trent University, Peterborough Pagans
Professional Club: Utah Warriors

James O’Neill
Hometown: Cochrane, AB
Years in Academy: 2
Previous Clubs: Calgary Canucks, University of Victoria Vikes
Professional Club: Toronto Arrows

Dewald Kotze
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Years in Academy: 3
Previous Clubs: UBCOB Ravens, Strathcona Druids RFC
Professional Club: Dallas Jackals

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