social

Another great club banquet was held last Saturday with the annual awards presentations. Congratulations to all the winners. On a special note, revered club Old Boy Peter Howlett played for Canada against Tonga in 1974. Peter never received his test cap. With the hard work of Henry Rozenblatt and presented by our championship cups name sake, Roy Harvey, we were able to present Peter with his test cap on Saturday night. Congratulations Peter!

When Rugby Meets art. No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. This year, The Westmount Ravens annual banquet’s theme will be a “vernissage” with art in display by it’s fine athletes, letting their inner Van Gogh come to the surface.

The evening will be held on Saturday, December 3rd @ Christ Church Cathedral, and begin at 6pm with the art exhibition, followed by the team dinner. The paintings will be on sale, and tickets for the exhibition and dinner are 30$. At 9pm, the party kicks off in earnest. Tickets for the party are only 5$. So come join the 2011 FRQ Division Champions and party with men who know how to party: rugby men!

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Quand le rugby rencontre l’art. non, vos yeux ne sont pas en train de vous jouer un mauvais tour. le thème du gala des Westmount Ravens cette année est bien “un vernissage” avec une exposition d’oeuvres d’art réalisées par ses meilleurs joueurs, laissant le Van Gogh qui est en eux s’exprimer.

La soirée débute elle aux alentours de 21 heures. Les billets sont au prix de $5.

Venez nombreux fêter le titre de champion du Québec avec ceux qui savent faire la fête, les rugbymen!

A fantastic review by The Westmount Examiner of the WRC’s first family day. Check it out!

Three generations of rugby enthusiasts spent a sunny Saturday afternoon at Westmount Park on Aug. 6, eating burgers and hot dogs while catching up with old friends – all in support of the Westmount Rugby Club.

“It’s a fantastic turnout,” club president Tony O’Driscoll said of the family day fundraiser. “Complete success. I couldn’t be happier.”

About 150 turned out for the event, including many parents who watched from the sidelines as their kids played a few friendly matches with other youth from Rugby Club de Montreal (RCM) and Rugby XV de Montreal.

O’Driscoll said what sets rugby apart from other sports is that it’s affordable and transcends height and weight restrictions common in other sports like basketball and football. “It’s open to everybody,” he said. “That’s why kids find it so attractive.”

The club supports youth development through its Mini Rugby program, which runs from May to June. Kids aged 8 to 12 spend Sunday mornings running, passing and learning the basics of tackling, if qualified.

“There are bruises each week, but there are a great many rewards as well,” said Matt Harrington, father of Maeve, 8, who is in the Mini’s program. “Rugby teaches teamwork and discipline. It teaches you that you have to work very hard to accomplish what you want.”

Considering the intensity of the game, safety is of the utmost concern. Up until the age of 12, there is no tackling, just touch. There are also strict penalties for foul play. Offenders can be kicked off the field, banned from the game or even fined in extreme cases.

Adults also took to the field.

Westmount players from the last four decades donned their gum shields once again in an opening match between the Old Boys and rookies. “We’re happy to report the Old Boys absolutely murdered the rookies,” said O’Driscoll.

“It was pretty good to play against the young guys.” says Alexandre Pellerin, who retired from the Ravens last year but came out with his family to play and watch the Westmount Ravens take on the Montreal Exiles for the main event.

“It’s a great game,” he said. “We’re winning.”

“Come on Westmount, you lazy sack of bones,” yelled Tom Edmeades from the sidelines. The former captain of the Ravens was sitting out indefinitely due to injuries, but still came to help out the team by grilling burgers. “They’re my family,” he said. “I met all my friends through rugby or associations through rugby. I had to come.”

Energy was high as the Westmount crowd cheered on their local team to victory, 66-14.

“I feel very proud of the team,” said Nicole Fortunaso, who came out to support her brother Jamie Fortunaso. “The Ravens have been kicking butt the last couple of games.”

“When I used to play, there wasn’t the depth and support that this club has today,” said Clive Ebden, who retired from the Westmount team 19 years ago. “They’ve come a long way.”

For more information, visit the Westmount Rugby Club’s website at http://westmountrugby.com/ or their Facebook page under Westmount Rugby Club. If your children are interested in participating with the Mini’s, contact JS Paul via email at jsebpaul@gmail.com.

Just a quick reminder about our first official social event of the year, Old Boys night. Please come on down and meet all of our current and past players of Westmount Rugby Club. Along with rubbing elbows with some of Westmounts finest, it will also be a fundraiser for our upcoming tour to Maine. Merchandise will be on sale, including Club ties which are mandatory for the tour.

Feel free to invite your friends, but invite your girlfriends and wives at your own risk.

Hope to see all of you there!

OLD BOYS NIGHT
Le Bull Pub, 2170 Ste Catherine Ouest
Friday, April 1st 20h00

Celebrate the birth of our nation by supporting the oldest rugby club in the country.  We play our home opener against Trois-Rivières on the Canada Day long weekend in Westmount Park.  Momentum is clearly behind us with two victories and the chance to solidify our position near the top of the table.

As this is opening weekend, the day won’t end with the final whistle.  After game drinks will be held at the Forum, with festivities continuing through the night.

Go Westmount!

There is plenty of social club news and first off we would like to Welcome our new members to the club! Frank, Remi, Julienand Phillippo.  Thanks for coming to training and we look forward in playing with you all.  Don’t forget that the season has not started yet and welcome all new players young and old to play rugby in montreal.

Birthday News – At training on Tuesday wish Andy and Hisashi a Happy Birthday.  Andy is actually 7 years old

Belly News – The Australian pie shop is expected to open this Friday.  It is right next door to Dusty’s on Parc and Mont Royal.

Club Jersey’s – Westmount rugby jersey’s from 2008 / 2009 are on sale and are selling fast.  Speak with Tony about getting a Jersey  today.

Don’t forget that training is on Tuesday at 7:30,  1090 Greene Avenue below Dorchester.

The Winter Olympics are set to start next week on the 12th of February until the 28th of February and Canada are expected to win a number of gold medals.  What will give the athletes inspiration to perform to the best of their abilities is the lighting of stadium torch and Westmount rugby will have a massive part in the lighting of the Stadium torch.  Westmount’s starting hooker Tim Fagan helped design the winter Olympic torch.

Westmount rugby has a number of great traditions like the first rugby club in North America, Thu  rsday nights at the old cock n bull and now a hand in the Vancouver Olympic games.

The torch took about 4 months to design and the design is based on two main inspirational ideas: the sweeping, undulating, white winter Canadian landscape and elements of winter sports.

It is also club folklore that Tim’s first thought in the design of the torch was “it’s a torch and it must be held.” It is with this insight that has given Tim his position as Westmount’s starting Hooker

The countdown has begun until the start of the winter Olympics and the start of the rugby season

The club held its annual fundraising dinner and awards night in November, 2009. It was an overwhelming success and many thanks to all who attended and gave generously to the club for the 2010 season. The dinner was held in the reception rooms at the Christchurch Uniting Church downtown and all would agree the facilities were second to none. A big thanks goes out to all the staff at the church and in particular the Peris family for their assistance in obtaining the venue. We look forward to holding the event there again in 2010 and many years to come.

It was an excellent night of entertainment and socialising with a live band, free flowing bar and gourmet dinner prepared by Mike Trevino & Don, the Australian Pie man, and his many minions in the kitchen. This year we also launched the new improved WRFC T-shirts (thanks Tim!) and put up for sale the old jerseys from seasons past. Anyone wanting to purchase these items please contact Tony through the website. The fundraising was a huge success with well over $1000 raised for the 2010 season!

As always it was great to see many new and old faces with great representation from the Old Boys this year, with one fella in particular escaping hospital to attend! Stellar effort Old Boys, keep up the great work and we thank you sincerely for you ongoing support. 2010 promises a strengthening of ties with the Old Boys to help secure the club for generations to come. Watch the website for further news and developments.

As every year we acknowledged the efforts of the players throughout the season with the club awards. All players should be congratulated for their efforts in a tough 2009 season and be proud of maintaining a positive outlook in what was definitely a rebuilding year for the club. There were some exceptional efforts by individuals during the season and they have been duly awarded as follows.

MVP – Mike Lenczner

Best Forward – Hugh Greene

Best Back – James Fortunaso

Best Rookie – Guillaume Themens

Leadership Award- Raymond Bessette

Dave Award- Karl Frigan

Congratulations to all the winners and we look forward to improved performances from all players in 2010. Thanks again to everyone who helped out to make the dinner a huge success. Rest up in the off season and we look forward to a winning season in 2010.

Tony O’Driscoll

President

WRFC

All are welcome, especially westmount rugby clubs wives, girlfriends and Old boys!  After we beat The Braves on the 11TH we can get together and watch another beating (UFC).

Save your dollars and see you there!

Your club needs your support.

Westmount Fundraising details are listed here.

Westmount’s utility player Hugh McGuire was recently featured in the National Post for his work in the field of online Literature.  Well done McGuire!  It does explain the mystry of the missed training sessions.

Thanks Jeremy for spoting this article. Are you become our online Stalker?

This season we have a new tradition for the man of the match.  For the Westmount player who is awarded Man of the Match by his peers he is required to straight arm a pint of beer.

So far this season we have two winners of this award:

Adam and English Tommy!  

The Westmount Player who wins the most straight arm awards will be required to straight arm a Peel Pub Jumbo Jug. The favourite to win the award is Guillaume

Westmount Rugby is now on twitter.  Hopefully, in the coming days we will the Twitter account synchronized with the website.

Training this week is at Murray Hill on Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm sharp. We start training at 6.30pm so don’t be late!  You will need to bring your own drinking water as the water fountain at the field is not working.

Thanks to all those that attending Red’s going away drinks.

Training is back at Westmount High. It should be a good training session in about 27 degrees heat! Coming up this Thursday is the old boys drinks at McKibbon’s Pub, 1426 Bishop St. So keep your night free for a good get together.

Rugby News

Who would of thought that the Qld Reds beat Auckland Blues in Auckland on the weekend! 

Late news but last week the British and Irish Lions squad was announced on April 23rd.  The 37 man squad is predominately made but up of Welsh and Irish players and the squad only contains two Scotish players!

For those interested in seeing this display please get in contact with Tommy or Hogan. Otherwise, meet at Metro Guy/Concordia on the cormer of Guy and De Maissoneuve at 6:30pm. If you are intersted in going to the BarB-Barn before hand, please let me know so I can make a reservation for 5pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Come this Saturday for the first social event for the club!  Tom and his car will be on display as he will enter in the demolition derby!  If the destruction of Tommy’s car is not enough for you there is:

MONSTER TRUCKS WITH THEIR MASSIVELY OVERSIZED TIRES

They are huge 4x4s that destroy everything in their way; 10,000 pounds, 12 feet high, 12 feet wide, with motor getting close to 2,000 horse power. The drivers will compete in the (long) jump competition as well as in freestyle competition with a special track where cars, vans and buses are ready to be destroyed.

12 MONSTER TRUCKS:
The biggest American names will be there, amongst them the world champion BOUNTY HUNTER and the 2008 Monster Spectacular champion BLACK STALLION.

Other monster truck confirmations include: Excaliber, Amsoil Shock Therapy, Spike, Wrecking Crew, Avenger, Brutus, Screaming Demon, Iron Outlaw amongst others!

SNOWMOBILE FREESTYLE:
The best freestyle riders will be at the Big O to compete in a back-flip competition along with other death-defying stunts.

DEVIL DEMOLITION:
The world stunt car champion, Scott Turkiewicz, will offer a thrilling and spectacular presentation!

GLADIATORS DEMO DERBY:
Fans will also be able to enjoy a new brand of demolishing derbies. A no mercy confrontation on a track enclosed with a concrete wall. There will 40 cars racing over 10 laps.

MOTOS SPORTS STUNTS:
Professional Street Bike Riders will perform death defying stunts such as ‘’wheelies’’ and ‘’donuts’’ without using their hands as well as several other stunts!

Jeremy’s PIT PARTY:
Please note that doors will open at 5pm so that fans can meet their favorite drivers next to their Monster Trucks. Vehicles and drivers from all the categories will be present. There will also be a photo and autograph session. 

For those interested please contact Hogan!

We will be holding our annual banquet on Saturday March 29, to celebrate the exploits of last season, and to launch our new 2008 season. You can buy tickets below….Here are the details:

What: Westmount Rugby Annual Banquet
What?: Eating, drinking, dancing, and celebrating Westmount Rugby – with players, old boys, friends and family.
Eating?: Yes, the players cook and serve a delicious meal

When: Saturday, March 29, from 6pm to midnight

Where: St. Michael’s Church, corner St-Viateur and St-Urbain (entrance by St-Viateur street level) [map]

Cost: Dinner tickets are $30, and there is a cash bar. Entrance for dancing and fun, at 11pm, is $10.

Buy your tickets here, or call Hugh at 514.464.2047 to reserve.

If you have any questions, please contact Hugh McGuire for more information:
t.: 514.464.2047
e.: hughmcguire AT gmail DOT com

Rugby this weekend:

Snow rugby on SUNDAY:

what/quoi: rugby neigiste
when/quand: dimanche, le march 9, 10:30 am.
where: parc jeanne mance, coin mount-royal et ave du parc [map]

what to bring: balls, gloves, rosy cheeks, long johns,
what not to bring: your homework

Come watch the 6 NATION games with us, at Peel Pub, 1196 rue Peel [map].

Sat 8th March – 8:15 am
Ireland v Wales

Sat 8th March – 10:15 am
Scotland v England

Sun 9th March – 11:00 am
Italy v France

how about some good old fashioned snow rugby, hisashi’s favourite?

what: rugby neigiste
when: samedi, le march 1, 10:30 am.
where: parc jeanne mance, coin mount-royal et ave du parc [map]

what to bring: snowpants, snow boots, toques, a thermos of hot chocolate (for the kiwis & aussies, who know it doesn’t matter whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game), camera
what not to bring: baby bottles

Westmount Rugby Club is having a friendly match against a team from Gatineau this weekend, Saturday, 12pm, at Westmount Park. Come and watch. Better yet, bring your boots and have a run around.
*what: post-season friendly match
*when: saturday oct 20, 12pm
*where: westmount park

Also: we’ll be watching the World Cup Final – England vs. South Africa after the match:
what: rwc final – england-south africa
when: Saturday, 2pm (kick-off 3pm)
where: peel pub, 2nd floor (new location, 1196 RUE PEEL, below ste-catherine)

Also, we’ll be planning an old boys pub night for mid/end of november. news to come.

Rugby World Cup Semi Finals this weekend!

What: France-England
When: 3pm: Saturday, Oct 13
Where: Peel Pub, 1196 Peel Ave [map]

What: South Africa-Argentina
When: 3pm: Sunday, Oct 14
Where: Peel Pub, 1196 Peel Ave [map]

2007 Spring Fling awards
(In special collaboration with Jon Albright):

Len Pascoe Award (Len was an Australian bowler famous for chucking instead of bowling, chucking is an illegal delivery in cricket): Hugh M., David “Cabbie” F., Pierre-Antoine M., Tom S. and apparently about half the team.

“Mobile” forward award: Charles “cellullar” M., give him a call to congratulate him on his stellar play in the loose.

Thommo Award (Jeff “Thommo” Thompson, was another Aussie bowler famous for his unorthodox style & sending down fast, but erratic and expensive deliveries): tough choice, probably Thomas aka Thommo.

The Man of the “Real” match: No contest; Jon, breaking his leg in 3 places, hospitalized, surgery required, stayed on tour then backed it up with a legendry effort Saturday night, great match Johnno you played a blinder!

The Good Shepard: Daniel A. who just kept herding em in from the barren fields of NYC into the obviously greener pastures of Vasmay.

John Deere award: Thommo once again…way to cut everyone’s grass mate!

The 3 Amigos award: Hugh, Matt “Anakin” P. and Danilo for valiantly sticking together in the wee hours of the morning, to attempt a final raid on nabbing a sombrero from the outlawed Porky’s.

The Community Service award: A team award for all those generous souls who chipped in to pay the outstanding bill owed to the hostel.

Sound Editing: Guillaume R., for having “accidently” pressed his cell phone “speaker” button on during a confidential conversation.

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Many candidates, probably the whole team, for this award who goes to the person that is mild mannered off the “field” yet turns into a animal once the game (or alcohol) starts flowing… Split decision between Julien and Pascal.

Man of the match: Jon “Munster” M., did he puke before the match too?

Biggest baby award; closely contested, although George “thoroughbred” H. and Coach Love seperated themselves from the rest of the field after they spat their dummies and took a lap of honour.

Loudest snorer: Pete O.

Hail Mary award: Gilles “Miracle pass” L. for those great offloads on and off the field.

The Dark horse award: André for unassumingly playing his first ever match in the front row or is it for wearing the black threads of the NZ All Blacks religously… and mate on that note, I’ve got some bad news for your “sense of fashion” if you are planning on living in Australia.

Rock Star award: Jamie for having collected so quickly so many signatures (and phone numbers?)…whilst having his pants down?

Trooper award: Danilo and Bree for having travelled from the City of brotherly love to the city of cougarly love all in the name of Rugby. Special Mention to Bree for sticking with Johnno all afternoon and evening.

Rugby run-around this weekend!

When/Quand: 10:00 11:00 am Samedi, le 31 mars
Where/Ou: FORBES FIELD (on the hill behind Molson Stadium) [map/carte]

Also, don’t forget: Wetting of Jack’s Head on Friday night.

Rugby in the Snow/Rugby dans la neige…
When: 10:00 am Samedi, le 17 mars
Where: corner Mount Royal & Parc [map/carte]

What about St-Paddy’s Day??

Our President says: “You better be there.”

Rugby in the Snow/Rugby dans la neige…
When: 10:30 am Samedi, le 10 mars
Where: corner Mount Royal & Parc [map/carte]

Six Nations Rugby
When:
8:30 am Saturday, March 10: Ireland v Scotland
11:00 am Sunday, March 11: Fance v England

Where:
O’Regan’s Irish Pub ($20 includes breakfast)
1224 Bishop, Montreal
tel: (514) 866-8464