Embedded Files
(From the Stanstead College yearbook)
Senior Boys
The season once again saw a group come together and perform extremely well on the field, but more importantly they worked together to create something bigger. In this very mixed group of young, old, experienced, inexperienced players, the leadership was incredible; Joseph Poulin, Pato Tomayo, and Patrick Young set the tone from the beginning. Of course it's great to have success on the field, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't love winning, but unfortunately I never remember the wins. After 15 years of coaching high school sports, what I remember is the moments when kids show their true character. Some of my favourite moments of this year are how the boys treated out guest coach David Pacheco; how no one would start warm up until everyone was in the huddle; and especially how no one ever got down on a teammate. The last thing I'll say is I'll always remember team dinners and never forget our time together in NB. This team won a lot of games but what they really won is bigger; they won the game of life.
Junior Boys
This season for the junior boys rugby team was cold, wet and highly compressed. Our team was young, inexperienced and outmatched both in size and numbers. However, they made up for this in courage, determination and team spirit. The first games provided a rough start with numerous injuries, which left the team short-handed for the remaining games. However, they fought bravely and gained some creditable victories.
The highlight of the season came on playoff day. After two weeks of training and the May break to rest and recuperate, the players were chomping at the bit to get back on the field. Despite going down early in the semi-final and the final, on both occasions they rallied to pull off unlikely but highly deserved victories and ensure that Stanstead College remains the only name on this still young trophy.
Congratulations to the team.
(From the Clarion, May edition)
Strong start to season
The Varsity Boys Rugby team started off the year with a pre-season tour in Spain. After a couple days of practice with the team’s new found coach and friend, Diego Pacheco, they had their first two try matches against the Gothics Rugby Club. The team next moved to Cambril where they trained for one more upcoming game. With another victory, the team wrapped up their tour in Spain.
The boys kicked off this season at RugbyFest along with the senior girls team. With three sweeping victories against HHS, KVHS, and the hosting school RNS, the team was poised and ready for the finals. After a strong battle from both teams, the senior boys ended the tournament with 168 points for and only 5 against and the Bonnycastle Division Banner for the second year in a row.
This tournament marked the beginning of a very strong season as both a team, and a group of young men. It gave the team the opportunity to become closer to one another and also develop a fraternity that will last for years. With boys from grades nine through twelve, thanks to rugby the team has created bonds that otherwise would never had been created.
In the league games so far, the team has met up against Sem de Sherbrooke and MVR. In a closely fought battle, our boys pulled through and came out with two wins.
We are looking forward to the rest of the year; the team has a lot of skill and potential and we cannot wait to see all that they can accomplish.
(From the Stanstead College website, May 1st)
Athlete of the week: Patrick Young
Patrick Young is the model of consistency on the rugby pitch. In every single game he dominates at the breakdown and creates turnovers.
The Grade 12 student from Derby Line, Vt. leads the forward runs, makes countless tackles and manages the field like the experienced veteran he is. The most knowledgeable player on the pitch, Patrick was an obvious choice as captain of the Senior Boys Spartans. He makes the players around him better, and works hard to make sure everyone feels a part of the process.
In fact, every one of the qualities mentioned above was on full display this past weekend at Rugbyfest, the biggest event of the season held annually in Rothesay, NB. Patrick not only led his team to an undefeated performance in the Bonneycastle Division, bringing home the Banner for the second straight year, but he was the leading contributor to the positive, inclusive vibe that made the tournament memorable in more ways than just victories.
Congratulation, Patrick, on a well-earned Athlete Of The Week!
(From the Stanstead College website, May 15th)
Athlete of the week: Chaz Grenier
This week’s Athlete of the Week is one of the most fearless competitors in the ETIAC league.
Often the smallest junior rugby player on the field, Chaz Grenier looks across the rugby pitch at opponents who are older, stronger and much bigger than him… and he doesn’t care. No matter how hard he gets tackled by someone who outweighs him by 70 lbs, the Grade 7 student from Stanstead just gets up and carries on without complaint. Every single time.
This unrelenting determination was even noticed and remarked upon by opposing coaches at last Friday’s GMAA tournament in Montreal and again at home this past weekend. A dynamic runner and a bold tackler, Chaz displays commendable all-round effort every practice and every game.
A young player with great potential, congratulations to Chaz for being named this week’s Athlete of the Week!
(From the Clarion, June edition)
Winning isn't everything
The season once again saw a group come together and perform extremely well on the field but more importantly they worked together to create something bigger. In this very mixed group of young, old, experienced, inexperienced players, the leadership was incredible; Joseph Poulin, Pato Tomayo, and Patrick Young set the tone from the beginning. Of course it’s great to have success on the field and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love winning, but unfortunately I never remember the wins. After 15 years of coaching high school sports what I remember is the moments when kids show their true character. Some of my favourite moments of this year are how the boys treated out guest coach David Pacheco; how no one would start warm up until everyone was in the huddle; and especially how no one ever got down on a teammate. The last thing I’ll say is I’ll always remember team dinners and never forget our time together in NB. This team won a lot of games but what they really won is bigger; they won the game of life.
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