The ABRFC junior program started in 1999 with an Under 16 team which in quick succession won a silver medal at the Ontario 7-a-side championship, defeated the Ontario 15 year old representative team, defeated the Newfoundland Under 16 representative team and completed an undefeated season by winning the Ontario championship. The team drew players from 4 high schools. Four Aurora boys played for the Provincial Under 16 representative team during the season.

The junior programme has expanded dramatically. It currently features: Under-18, Under-16 and Under-14 Boys teams, an Under-19 girls team and mini-rugby teams.

The Womens Under 19 Squad
The Aurora Barbarians created an U19 girls team when the TRU started a junior girls league in 2002. It was an instant success. The team went undefeated in its first season. As there was no playoff schedule that year, the Barbs were declared "champions". In 2003, the U19s repeated their success by going undefeated in their regular season and winning their semifinal playoff game. The girls lost the final 3 - 0 in the closing minutes of the championship game against Peterborough.

The Mens Under 18 Squad
The Mens Under 18's season ended against a strong, physical and edgy team in Brampton. Brampton eventually lost the U18 league final to a very good team from Lindsay, 13-0 after beating the Nomads 17-13 in the semi-final. Those scores indicate that the U18's were as good as any team in the league this past summer.

The U18's were one of only two Ontario teams to make the semi-final of the Mag 7’s in July. They defeated a British school team, Northamptonshire Grammar School 24-10 in the second week of the season.

Six players and Coach Sandy Townsand participated in the Ontario Summer Games in London on the last weekend in August. The bronze medal winning TRU U18 team consisted of Jesse Haymen, Brandon Lewi, Neil McDougall, Zach Pancer, Bryn Davies and Kyle Cresswell. They defeated the team from Eastern Ontario four tries to one in the medal match. There was some very good rugby played and all of you who are eligible ar ancouraged to try out next summer.

The Mens Under 16 Squads
The Under 16 team boasts players from seven different high schools. The players are excellent athletes who rapidly absorb the team aspect of rugby. The higher volume and quality of practice time plus the full summer schedule of games, exposes the players to a wide variety of skills and multiple chances to improve their level of play. They play eight league games plus playoffs. There are typically touring sides from the U.K. that visit Aurora each summer on top of exhibition matches against rep sides and the annual Magnificent Sevens Tournament. They will return to their school teams with a wealth of experience and a deeper appreciation for the game.

This year’s group of players has demonstrated their talent and grit in the busy schedule, playing almost twice a week since the end of June. They surprised the Scottish squad, Boroughmuir (from Edinburgh) with their tackling and resiliency. Boroughmuir won the match, 25 – 12, but typically teams from the U.K. usually fare as well as Canadian hockey teams would do if they toured Scotland. Aurora showed the same pluck when played an exhibition match against the ORU U15 rep team early in July. Again, the ORU won, but the game was much closer than the 20 – 5 final score indicated. The game was a good test for both sides. The Barbs also took the Consolation Championship at the annual Magnificent Sevens tournament. This was remarkable, given that the team was loaded with forwards. This was a testament to their mobility and crushing defence. The team looks forward to a strong second half of the season and the playoffs that begin in August.

For further information contact
Sandy Townsend
jrmensdirector@aurorabarbarians.com or email any one on the club executive (click here for list).

Junior Coaches & Profiles:

Name: Sandy Townsend
Playing Career: Began playing in Edmonton, Alberta and played on several Edmonton and Alberta junior and senior representative teams. Won OUAA championships witth Queen's and Waterloo. Also played first division rugby for the Calgary Hornets, Montreal Wanderers and finished his career with the Aurora Barbarians
Coaching Career: has been coaching high school teams for 18 years in Montreal and Aurora, winning five championships. Currently coaches the senior boy's team at the Country Day School. Has previously coached at the provincial u18 level in Quebec, u16 and u21 in Ontario and last summer the TRU u18 team at the Ontario Summer Games. Currently a member of the technical committee of the Rugby Canada u19 program

Name: Dave Downer
Playing Career: Began playing rugby as a relative old-timer. When asked to help coach at Bayview Secondary School in Richmond Hill in 1992, I joined York County to play for a few weeks to figure out the rules and tactics. Those few weeks turned into a full-time obsession and the role of vice-president of the club. York County evolved to become the Aurora RFC and then to merge with the Toronto Barbarians to become the club it is today. I played with the Aurora seconds and eventually with the Barbs thirds. I retired from play five years ago, but still ended up playing parts of games every one of those retired years.

Coaching Career: I coached junior boys, senior boys and varsity girls at Bayview Secondary School (1992-1998), varsity girls at King City S.S. (2000) and U14, U16, U18 and varsity girls’ teams at The Country Day School (2001 – present). With Aurora and the Aurora Barbs (1996 – present), I’ve coached senior women (to 2 TRU championships), U19 girls, senior men and now, U16 boys.