Junior/Minis Practice Update:
May 9, 2008

Our U12 coed and U14 Boys teams begin practicing at Dr. GW Williams High School on Thursday May 15th at 7pm. Our U10 coed team will begin practicing the following week on Thursday May 22nd at 7pm. Coaches will have tournament ,game and practice schedules for all teams at the first practice.

Our U16 and U18 programs will commence in late May and early June. Details to follow on this website shortly.

It's Time!!!:
May 7, 2008

This weekend the senior men kick off their season with three games at Brampton. While we have seen enough bodies at training over the past three weeks to fill two squads, there has been no consistent commitment to practice and lots of guys have waited until this week to come out.

This is the week to get back into it! If you cannot make training Thursday at Fletcher's you need to contact me or Leighton for registration to be ready to play on Saturday.

JR

* Note: RC registration form can be found here

RC: Webb's Side Stories: Dean Van Camp
May 7, 2008

The phone rings, and on the third ring, Dean answers. Instantly, he recognizes the voice on the other line as Rick Farrally, then national sevens manager. Trying to play it cool, he hears the words out of Rick’s mouth and they sound like tragedy from a soap opera. But instead of sorrow, Dean feels delight.

The voice says “Dean, there’s been an injury... (cue the sad music) can you fly to South Africa tomorrow?” (Strike up the band!)

Without so much as a conscious thought, the word 'yes' erupts from within him and comes out as something between a shriek and a yell... (more...)

NA4 Teams Announced:
Apr 30, 2008

The NA4 East and West teams have announced their squad that will compete in this years NA4 Tournament. Representing the Aurora Barbarians are Dean Van Camp and Nolan Ott playing for the East and Bryn Keyes for West, all of whom have been plying their trade out west with the Velox Valhallians. To read more about these stories: (West Announcement) (East Announcement)

Selvaggi featured on YorkRegion.Com:
Apr 30, 2008

(by John Cudmore) "Life is full of bumps and bruises for Eric Selvaggi.

It’s difficult to avoid considering the 15-year-old Woodbridge resident is on the roster for four rugby teams.

In addition to the under-16 boys squad at Country Day School where he is in Grade 10, Selvaggi will also suit up with the Aurora Barbarians this season. That is, when he isn’t busy training with the Ontario provincial team for which he has been a two-time member, and competing to reclaim his outside centre spot on Canada’s under-17 men’s national team." (more...)

Bendavid off to Amsterdam:
Apr 28, 2008

Nat will be off to the Amsterdam sevens tournament being held May 17th – 18th, 2008, as part of the National Senior Womens 7s Team. She's part of the 12 player Canadian contingent who are hoping to impress as the coaching staff are narrowing down the squad to the final 15 that will compete in the World Cup in 2009. (more...)

Brantford Tourney:
Apr 25, 2008

The Senior Men will be competing in the Brantford Tournament on Saturday April 26th held at the Harlequins grounds. As noted on the Harlequins' site, competition will be high as we join host Brantford, the Beach, a trial Niagara Thunder (RCSL) team, the Toronto Nomads, and Markham. Please plan to be in Brantford by 9:30am so we can properly warm up. We'll be wearing our regular kit, if you are in need, we will have some available Saturday for purchase. We tentatively plan to have two sides, so if you've been ducking practice this week, come on out for a run around. (map)

Fealey to take over reins of Aurora Women's Team:
Apr 22, 2008

Laura, Courtney, Michael Fealey (New Sr Women's Coach)

The Aurora Barbarians RFC are pleased to announce the newest member of the Club - Mr. Michael Fealey, who will join the club as the new Head Coach of the Barbs Women's Team who compete in the Ontario Women's League - Ontario's pre-eminent women's competition.

Fealey, who has coached extensively in English county age grade and some women's teams, will look to take the team to the next level. With players such as National Sevens & Fifteens Carded player Nat Bendavid and U19 star Courtney Bloom along with a pair of U17 national team players coming into the mix, Fealey is looking to have a back to basics approach to start.(more...)

PEAC To Offer Elite Rugby Program:
Apr 14, 2008

Some may recognize the name Neil Doctorow as the shifty back who has served the Barbs for many years, but he has been busy the past few years as he worked hard to establish a successful alternative school for the student athlete. He is a director and co-owner of Premier Elite Athlete Collegiate (PEAC), and has enlisted the assistance from fellow Barbs to help ensure success of the elite rugby program. (more...)

2008 Season Kick-off - Aurora Barbarians, where to from here?:
Apr 11, 2008

Senior Web Contributor Simon Allen shares his thoughts on the club and the 2008 Season; what we as a club and as individuals are doing and need to do to ensure our success.

Please take the time to review the article here.

Future BaBa:
Apr 10, 2008

Please join us in congratulating proud new parents Rob and Jen who welcomed Payton Maddox Carter into the ABRFC family on Saturday April 5, 2008 at approx 8:30am. She was delivered at Markham Stouffville Hospital and weighed in at 7lb 2oz at a length of 19 1/2 inches. So now the question, will she join Dad in the frontrow or Mom in the backs!

Passing of Ian Galbraith:
Apr 7, 2008

It is with great regret that I advise you of the passing of Ian Galbraith, former coach of the Toronto Barbarians in the 1980s. Ian was a great inspiration to the club and led us to the McCormick Cup Final in 1984 and 1985. Ian joined us after many successful years as a player with the Vancouver Rowing Club where he was part of an outstanding front row that also included Aurora Patriarch Jack Heald.

Notice appears in the Toronto Star today.

The club salutes Ian and offers condolences to his family.

JR, President ABRFC

U12/U14 Pre-Season Practices:
Apr 7, 2008

ABRFC's Director of Junior Rugby, Sandy Townsend is pleased to annouce that the U12s and U14s will have three pre-season practices in the Aurora Dome starting Sunday April 13th. On behalf of the junior players, Townsend, and Chris Gans, Director of Community Development, have been trying to get extra practice time for the younger players at the beginning of the season. The time became available when the ABRFC winter academy program stopped earlier than anticipated.

Townsend is pleased that the youngsters will get this early start saying, "we have had a great start to our registrations and many players in this age group (u12/u14)are coimg to rugby for the first time. This opportunity will give them a head start on the season." The sessions will be run by the age grade coaches and will involve basic passing and running. Each session will be one hour long and they will run from 2 pm until 3 pm. The cost for all three session is only $20.

"We didn't find out until recently that the time was available and we were unable to include this cost in the registration fee and that is why there is the extra cost" said Townsend. "All those who are registered are invited and we are opening the door to those who played last year and anyone else that wants to join."

For more information or directions contact Director of Community Development, Chris Gans.

Touring U17 Men Win Third Straight:
Apr 7, 2008

Selvaggi and Mundy in starting line-up as Canada's U17 side goes undefeated at the Millfield Festival in Somerset, England. (more...)

Touring U17 Men Win Second Straight:
Apr 3, 2008

ABRFC Juniors Eric Selvaggi and new Barb Dylan Mundy are part of the Canada's U17 side which is playing in the Millfield Festival in southern England. Today it has been reported that they are now 2-0 as they have defeated both Romania and France, 45-0 and 38-15 respectively. To read more about the games, please see the Rugby Canada website:
   Romania (45-0)
   France (38-15)

Aurora Women nominated for Carding Support:
Apr 3, 2008

Aurora Senior Women Nathalie Bendavid and Kim Donaldson have been nominated for carded support as members of the National Senior Womens Team. This is acknowledgment of their great effort in their pursuit of excellence in rugby. (more...)

The NSWT depth chart is also available here.

Senior Men Win 2nd Annual MPL Indoor 7s:
Apr 2, 2008

Pre-season legs saw game time as the Senior Men competed in the 2nd Annual MPL Indoor 7s held at the BMO Field, Toronto. In this four team round robin tournament, the Barbs displayed excellent early form as they went undefeated, maintaining the winning ways of last season. The early season tournament also allowed new head coach Bart Hennessy to assess the fitness and skill level of the team and set the tone for practices in the upcoming weeks.

Tournament MVP was our very own Shaun Allen