There is a strong BC flavour to the twenty-six member Canada U-17 squad that will travel to Wales and England in late March.
Millfield School in the south west of England used to be noted for producing some of the finest rugby players in Britain, including the one and only Gareth Edwards of Wales and British Lions fame. However, the rugby competition which is held at the school each Easter is rapidly becoming the school’s main claim to fame.
The quality of the talent represented, the festival atmosphere and the outstanding facilities is attracting interest from far and wide. Each team is guaranteed three games during the week. One of the rules of the Festival is that every player in a squad must start in a match, and everyone must play at least half a game. The emphasis is on participation. That is why it is a festival, not a tournament, and why there is no declared champion at the end of it.
The 2009 Millfield International Festival will see Canada face off against the USA, Wales A and Portugal. The other four teams involved are England A, Belgium, France A and Scotland. The event runs from April 7 through to April 12. The team will arrive a week prior to the start of the event to train in Cardiff, Wales. After the success of last year’s squad with its wins over France, Portugal and Romania, expectations for the team are high.
Players from BC schools selected for this year’s Festival are listed below:
- Allan Dicks (W.J. Mouat)
- Michael Fuailefau (St. Michaels University)
- Jake Ilnicki (Williams Lake)
- Chase Kelliher (Argyle)
- Angus MacPhail
- Clayton Meeres (Sardis)
- Lucien Nel (Shawnigan Lake)
- Dean Solloway (St. George’s)
- James Steeves (St. George’s)
- David Turner (St. George’s)
- Alexander Wimmer (Mulgrave)
The BCSSRU wishes Head Coach Dave Chambers, his management staff and players all the best for success in the competition. Represent BC and Canada with pride!