Westshore would like to announce Aaron Frisby as the new Men’s Head Coach, and Nanyak Dala as Forwards Coach for the 2018-2019 season.

AARON FRISBY

Aaron, originally from NZ, first joined Velox Valhallians in 2004 at the Gordon Head facilities as a starting player on the Men’s Premier teams, continuing to play on both Premier and 1st Div teams until 2015 in the backfield and full back. During this time he started his coaching career in 2004 with age grade teams for the youth/junior programs for Velox in the grass root era coaching every team up to and including U18’s. Aaron was part of the Executive Council as the Director of Rugby Operations for 2 years from 2009-2011, before taking over as the Head Coach for the Velox Premier Women’s Valkyries team, leading them to a BCRU Provincial Title in 2011. He has represented four Super League teams as a player over his career: Crimson Tide, Vancouver Island Raiders, Calgary Mavericks and the Prairie Fire. Aaron took on the role as Player/Head Coach for the first time for the Velox Men’s program from 2011-2014, winning both the VIRU Times and Cowichan Cups, with multiple semi-final BCRU Provincial finalists during this time frame. He was then selected by BCRU Staff as Head Coach to lead provincial teams, starting in 2015 with the BC Men’s and Women’s Next Gen 7’s Teams, and BC Women’s 15’s Team: positions he continues presently to this day. Which lead to him to be included as the 2018 Crimson Tide Men’s 15’s co-Coach. During the past 3 years Aaron has again taken on his Player/Coach role leading the Westshore Velox 3rd Div Men’s team to back to back BCRU Provincial Champions for 2017 & 2018 seasons.

When asked about his coaching history listed above, he responded “I started my coaching career at Velox in 2004 with age grade teams, coaching every team from the U18s, Third div men, premier women and the top men’s side at the club over a 9 year period. After some successful years coaching provincial 7s and 15s programs, it’s great to be able to step back into the club at an exciting time at Westshore.” When asked further on the direction of the club, he stated “Things are starting to click at the club with the premier women on top, the third div on top and the men returning to the Premiership, everything is heading in the right direction at Westshore. We have a core group of players within the men’s program that can start to make waves in the premier division and I’m excited to see what they can do this coming season.”

NANYAK DALA

Nanyak Ponzin Gideon Dala was born in the central plateau state in the city of Jos, Nigeria in early 1980’s.  Moving to the city of Durban, located in the eastern province of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa with his family at the age of 12 in 1996. It was here that he started playing rugby for Glenwood high school team in the #8 position, lacing up for the Glenwood Falcons – the High School Old Boys team as well.  Nanyak quickly achieved selection for higher play for age grade levels representing Kwazulu-Natal provincial teams through much of his high school years, and being selected as the MVP for the provincial U20 team in 2003.

His family immigrated to North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada also in 2003 due his father’s profession in the medical field. Where in 2004 at the age of 20 he moved to nearby Saskatoon to start his higher education at the University of Saskatchewan.  Nanyak continued his love for rugby again joining the Saskatoon Wild Oats RFC as a Flanker for the next 4 years, reaching the provincial finals with his team every year, and capturing the provincial champions in 2005.  He was a member of the Saskatchewan Prairie Fire in the Rugby Canada Super League (RCSL) for the 2005 to 2007 seasons where they were the Western Champions and runner ups for the national title each year, and winning the McTier Cup as National Champs in 2007.  Nanyak had caught the eye of Rugby Canada (RC) through all this hard work, but passed up the opportunity to go to the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in 2007, choosing to finish his studies instead, graduating with a Bachelor of Commence in early 2008.

Nanyak moved to Victoria, BC in 2008 to continue his playing career with RC, as he started playing club rugby for the Oakbay Castaway Wanders in premier Men’s action as a flanker, winning the Rounsfell Cup as the BC premier league provincial champions in 2011.  During this time Nanyak was also a member of the newly formed Canadian Rugby Championship (CRC) (replacement for the RCSL) Prairie Wolf Pack team from 2010-2016, winning the McTier Cup as a national champion once again in 2015, with achieving runner up for 5 additional years at this level.

Nanyak joined the RC national 15s team with his 1^st cap on 02 Jun 2007 at the Churchill Cup in Twickenham, England with a sound win over the USA.  He continued to represent Canada at 2 Rugby World Cups (RWC) in both 2011 and 2015, earning 37 caps and scoring 4 international tries before playing his last 15s match on 6 Oct 2015 with a win over Romania.  Nanyak was also a member of Canadas National 7s team at the same time starting in 2008, playing in the 2010 Common Wealth Games in India, and winning a gold medal in Mexico at the 2011 Pan Am Games.  He played in the RWC for 7’s action in both 2009 in Dubai and 2013 in Russia, captaining the team from 2012-2013 seasons. Finishing his last international 7s game for Canada in Sydney, Australia in Feb 2016.

He coached at St. Michaels High School from 2008 through to 2017 focusing on grades 10-12. As well at CW in the 2017-2018 season as an assistant Coach and player for Men’s premier action. Before joining Westshore Velox RFC for the start of the 2018-2019 season as a an assistant/forwards coach.

Nanyak was self-employed as a contractor for RC over the past many years, before currently working for Capital City Fire and Safety as a Fire and Safety Technician.  He is very passionate about junior development and involvement, looking forward to growing the junior catchment of players in the Westshore area through club and schools academy programs with the grass root rugby type of sessions. He is enthusiastic when asked his thoughts, stating “Was excited to work with some top rugby minds and people to help build a strong rugby foundation in the Westshore, spearheaded by the ME’s and championship winning Women’s premier teams at Westshore RFC.”

Westshore Board of Directors would like to announce the clubs new interim Director of Men’s and Junior Boys Rugby: David “Tito” Phillips. A long time Velox/Westshore player for over a decade, who has held positions on the Board of Directors, most recently as the Director of Fields and Equipment. Has volunteered in coaching our junior program for many years, as well assist with the Men’s senior teams. Tito graduated from Massey University in NZ with a Bachelor of Business Studies, majoring in Sport Management with a minor in Marketing & Sports Performance. Tito was the Community Engagement and Market Research Coordinator for 2 years with the Manawatu Turbos RFC, while also conducting match day liaison between Sky TV media and the teams. He also spent a year as the Director of Event Planning for Sport Manawatu. He has always worked hard to support youth/junior rugby programs, as he was the Youth Tournament Coordinator for the Manawatu Basketball and Volleyball teams: as he continues to now take the reins for the Westshore Junior program. Tito will be a great asset with his skill sets and love for grass roots programs!!!

Velox is celebrating its 50 anniversary this Sept, here is a blast from the past…..

Velox, Season One, Victoria Rugby Union-1969 by Stephen Hume

Velox played its first official league game in the Victoria Rugby Union on September 28, 1969, against James Bay Athletic Association at Macdonald Park and won 14-3. I confirmed that with a look-up in Victoria Daily Colonist which said Velox was new to the VRU.

The club actually formed in the winter of 1968 when a bunch of the JBAA juniors staged a revolution and asked Gordie Hemmingway to coach. But I wasn’t there for that part.  (The details of that story can be found at this link as recalled by his father Jim Hume: http://westshorerfc.com/index.php/history-2/history-of-velox-101-by-first-club-president-and-founding-member-jim-hume/ )

In October, 1969, Velox beat Castaways 53-6 in a friendly. It was a harbinger of what came with Gordie Hemmingway’s wide open “attack from everywhere” style of play because in the first half of the season, in the age of the three point try, the club had scored an astonishing 143 points and led the league in scoring by far.

In November Velox moved into second place with a 37-6 win over Cowichan, John Howe had four tries, Tommy Carson had three, Bob Hissink had two, Rick Hughes got one and kicked a convert and Lorne Bunyan kicked a penalty.

In December, Velox beat UVic. Darryl Noulette and Bob Hissink had two tries each. Mark Hume, Steve Hume, Paul Burgoyne and Rick Hughes each got a try. Lorne kicked three converts.

The following week Velox lost 6-5 to Nanaimo but then dumped Oak Bay Wanderers 25-15 just before the Christmas break.

In January, Velox travelled to Seattle and knocked off Seattle Rugby Club 19-5. Bob Hissink scored three tries, one of them an 85-yarder.

March 1 Velox defeated JBAA again 24-6. Doug Hannah, Jack Clarkson, Mark Hume and Paul Burgoyne scored tries. Lorne Bunyan kicked two penalty goals and three converts.

March 15 Velox played UVic at Centennial Stadium in the Island semi-final and advanced to the final with a 23-16 win. Lorne Bunyan kicked for penalties. Bob Hissink had two tries and Paul Burgoyne got one.

In the Island final, Velox played JBAA yet again at Macdonald Park for the Times Cup and won 14-9. With Mark Hume (Stephens brother) scoring the winning try minutes before the final whistle to defeat James Bay.

The following week Velox lost 6-3 to Renfrew Trojans in the B.C. Championship on a long penalty kick from the touch line with 10 minutes to go. Lorne Bunyan almost saved the day with 40-yard kick from the touch line with three minutes left but shaved the post wide.

Stephen Hume

BR L-R: Jim Hume, Wally Laughton, John Howe, Mark Hume, Doug Hannan, Steve Hume, Ralph Delisle, Bruce Johns, Bob Hissink, Tom Carson, Ian Hughes, Leon Dalman, Gord Hemmingway (Coach)

FR L-R: Rick Childerhose, Al Perry, Ian Lendrum, Paul Burgoyne, Brian Butters, Lorne Bunyan, Rick Hughes, Daryl Noulette, Blaze McDonald, Dan Coleman

Westshore RFC would like to congratulate junior girls player Phoenix Skailes on being selected for the U15 BC Provincial team for the upcoming Canadian Rugby Championships. Phoenix spent the beginning and most of her life raised in Dawson City in the Yukon until age 10, when she moved with her family to Victoria.  Her father Jimmy has been playing the sport of rugby for many years, and is currently a member of the Ebb Tide RFC.  This prompted her to want to follow in her fathers foot steps and take up the sport.  She started with the Westshore RFC Family by joining the junior girls program for the U14 team at age 12.  She continued to play rugby at Spencer High School, coached under long time Westshore Valkyrie senior women’s player Brittany Sims.  For the past 2 years Phoenix has made Junior Crimson Tide for the U14 all star team.  Now at age 14, she has made the BC U15 provincial team for the first time being held in Kelowna, BC from 26-29 July.  Her father stated “I am super proud of Phoenix.  Watching my daughter set her goals for a passion and achieve them, she works very hard due to her own drive to succeed.  We are honoured to be part of the Westshore family!!!”  Everyone at Westshore RFC family wishes Phoenix luck at the CRC’s in upcoming weeks.

Westshore RFC was well represented on Men’s Crimson Tide this year. Congratulations on Players selected: Taylor McGuire, Foster Dewitt, Jason Gagnier, Ryan Waldriff and Aaron Frisby as Coach. Tide unfortunately lost to Vancouver Wave 52-32 final score.

Excerpt from BCRU: http://www.bcrugby.com/news_detail/10039258/?tag_id

Abbotsford, BC – May 5, 2018:  Under a blistering sun and cloudless skies, hundreds of rugby players and fans descend on Abbotsford’s Exhibition Park for the 2018 BC Rugby Club Finals. A total of nine Senior Division titles were decided in an action-packed 8hrs, with teams from 11 clubs from Island to Interior battling it out on the fields.  The culmination of a long season of competition, for some teams in excess of 20 matches in the making, the victories were celebrated with jubilant screams that hinted at just how much these titles mean to both players and clubs. The Men’s Division 3 was won by Westshore RFC in a highly charged match against Capilano RFC.  The match was well supported by passionate fans on both sidelines and they were not short of entertainment in the 33-22 match.

This marks back to back 3rd Division titles for Westshore Men’s team, both were under Coaching staff of Aaron Frisby and Dale Grimston.

Excerpt from BCRU: http://www.bcrugby.com/news_detail/10039258/?tag_id

Abbotsford, BC – May 5, 2018:  Under a blistering sun and cloudless skies, hundreds of rugby players and fans descend on Abbotsford’s Exhibition Park for the 2018 BC Rugby Club Finals. A total of nine Senior Division titles were decided in an action-packed 8hrs, with teams from 11 clubs from Island to Interior battling it out on the fields.  The culmination of a long season of competition, for some teams in excess of 20 matches in the making, the victories were celebrated with jubilant screams that hinted at just how much these titles mean to both players and clubs.

The final of the Women’s Premier League, was a very exciting encounter between defending champions Westshore RFC and Burnaby Lake RFC.  The gathered crowds were well entertained as they watched some of the best female rugby players in the Province.  When the final whistle blew, it was Westshore who were victorious, defending their title and cementing themselves as the current benchmark for women’s rugby in BC.  Westshore RFC and Canadian Women’s National Team player Paige Farries was full of praise for her opponents, saying “they came out flying and it took us a while to adapt, it was a real grinder.  Every time we play them it’s different, they adapt so well”.  Reflecting on what the win meant, Farries responded “To defend this title is massive for this club.  At Westshore, we’re trying to build a really high-level women’s environment and this goes a great way to further that.  This match really felt like a phenomenal advert for Women’s Rugby.” 

This marks back to back Premier provincial titles for the Westshore Valkyries, both where Shannon Houston and Barbara Mervin were at the helm.