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U17 DEVELOPMENT SQUAD TO START THREE-GAME SERIES

Saturday, January 30, 2010 - Submitted by Myles Spencer, Rugby Canada

Shawnigan Lake, BC

The Canada U17 Development Squad arrived at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island this past Thursday to kick off a 10-day training camp.

As the players trickled into Victoria International Airport from all over the country, and the ferry docked at Swartz Bay bringing a bunch from the lower mainland, the anticipation began to brew for 28 talented young rugby players.

In what has already been a busy few months for the program, this camp marks the third gathering of U17 national prospects.

Towards the end of 2009, Rugby Canada introduced a plan to expand the player base at the Under-17 level. Head Coach Jim Delaney and his staff held an assessment camp in November, where over 50 players were put through their paces and evaluated in every aspect of the game.

From this deepest pool of talent ever to assemble for a U17 camp, the top performers were selected to the Canada U17 National Team, which recently traveled to Santa Barbara, California for a two-match series against the USA High School All-Americans.

Another group of prospects have been selected to the Canada U17 Development Squad.

"The purpose of this squad is to expose more players to a higher level of play," said Geraint John, Rugby Canada High Performance Director. "The U17 program is the entry point into the Rugby Canada National Team system and is a crucial part of elite age grade player development."

The players will benefit from working with an experienced coaching staff during this intense camp, which will include three games, as they will leave with an understanding of what is required at this level, taking this knowledge back to their province.

In addition to player development in the U17 program, Rugby Canada is also committed to prepare, identify and increase the number of high performance coaches across the country. Five coaches have been selected to support the program through the application process which took place in late 2009.

Dean Murtens and Doug Branchflower of Saskatchewan, Brian Krawetz of Nova Scotia and Ken Erikson of BC will attend the camp to support Jim Delaney and Assistant Gary Dukelow. Mike Clayton of Ontario was also selected but was unavailable to attend.

The camp has been structured to include three matches against BC regional teams, starting with Fraser Valley U17 on Sunday, January 31 at Bayside Rugby Club.

U17 Match Schedule

January 31 - vs. Fraser Valley U17 at Bayside Rugby Club (South Surrey Athletic Park), Kickoff 12:15PM
February 3 - vs. Vancouver Island U17 at TBD, Kickoff TBD
February 6 - vs. Vancouver U17 at Capilano Rugby Club (Klahanie Park, North Vancouver), Kickoff TBD

U17 Development Squad
(Name - Position - Province - School - Club)

Jon Arndt - Center - Alberta - Sir Winston Churchill   - Calgary Saracens
Jolan Aubry - #8 - Alberta - McNally High School - Nor'westers Club
Andrew Battaglia - Wing - Ontario - St. Theresa of Liseaux - Aurora Barbarians
Kieran Bjornson - Lock - British Columbia - Elgin Park - Bayside
Conner Bouchard - Back Row - British Columbia - Earl Marriott - Bayside
BJ Brush - Half Back - Alberta - Rundle College - Calgary Canucks
Callum Busfield - Prop - British Columbia - St. George's - Rowing Club
Mac Chown - Center - Ontario - Barrie Central Collegiate - Barrie RFC
Mark Discombe - Fly Half - Saskatchewan - Lumsden High School - Regina Rogues
Connor Emigh - Prop - Alberta - Lethbridge CI - Lethbridge Rugby Club
Joseph Furness - Back Row - British Columbia - St. Michaels University - Castaway Wanderers
Lucas Hammond - Full Back - Ontario - Oakwood CI - Toronto Nomads
Brandon Harrison - Wing - Alberta - Bow Valley High School - Saracens
Aden Jack - Fly Half - British Columbia - Oak Bay High School - Castaway Wanderers
Mark Laing - Prop - Ontario - Bear Creek SS - Barrie RFC
Curtis Lauzon - Prop - Ontario - Bracebridge Muskoka - Barrie RFC
Dustin Lehne - Lock - Alberta   - Holy Trinity Academy - Foothills Lions Rugby Club
Liam Murphy-Burke - Full Back - British Columbia - Semiahmoo - Bayside
Jesse Richardson - Back Row - British Columbia - Rockridge - Capilano
Taylor Robertson - Center - Ontario - Trenton High School - Belleville Bulldogs
Thomas Roche   - Wing - Manitoba - Minnedosa CI - Brandon Barbarians
Alex Rogers - Full Back - Newfoundland - Prince of Collegiate - Dogs
Jonathan Schlebach - Full Back - Alberta - Winston Churchill - Calgary Irish
Djustice Sears-Duru - Prop - Ontario   - Abbey Park High School - Oakville Crusaders RFC
Andrew Trask   - Center - Ontario - Anderson CVI - Ajax Wanderers
Matthew Whittle - Back Row - Newfoundland - Holy Spirit HS - Baymen
Connor Willis   - Centre - British Columbia - Lake Trail - Comox
Oliver Winser   - Half Back - Quebec - John Abbott College - Beaconsfield RFC

Staff

Head Coach - Jim Delaney
Assistant Coach - Gary Dukelow
Guest Coaches - Dean Murtens, Doug Branchflower, Brian Krawetz, Ken Erikson
Therapist - Jami Boyd

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