Awards

Born in Victoria, George Jones was raised with a strong sense of discipline, instilled by his father, an Admiral in the Canadian Navy. He began his education at Brentwood College School—then located in Mill Bay—before completing high school at Lakefield College School in Ontario. He went on to earn his law degree from the University of British Columbia in 1958 and was called to the bar in 1959.

George started his legal career as Senior Tax Counsel for Revenue Canada (1959–1964) before transitioning to private practice. His professional résumé is both lengthy and legendary, marked by appearances at nearly every level of court. In addition to his legal work, he was deeply involved in sports—as a coach, referee, and fundraiser—across multiple disciplines and communities.

For over 50 years, George defended clients in Tax Court and, more than a few times, came to the aid of rugby players in various predicaments—often billing clients sporadically and generously, guided more by Robin Hood principles than profit. He co-founded the Victoria law firm Jones Emery Hargreaves Swan, later stepping down from partner to associate counsel in the late 2000s. He joined Horne Coupar LLP on a part-time basis before retiring from legal practice entirely in February 2015, capping off a remarkable 55-year career. He was awarded the honorary title of Queen’s Counsel (Q.C.) early in his career, a recognition given to Canadian lawyers for exceptional merit and service to the profession.

George has dedicated thousands of volunteer hours and offered extensive pro bono legal services to clubs and teams across Canada. His involvement includes the Vancouver Island Rugby Union, Crimson Tide, UVic’s Tour of Ireland, Shamrocks Lacrosse, the Junior “A” Cougars, Victoria Athletic Boxing Commission, James Bay Athletic Association, and the Velox Valhallians RFC.

Despite all his professional and athletic accomplishments, George cites his “greatest success in life” as raising his seven children.

A lifelong rugby man, George played both club and representative rugby with passion and pride. Over his playing years, he captained 11 different clubs across four provinces, suiting up as a stand-off, centre, and fullback. His teams included the Vancouver Trojans, Ottawa Beavers, Ottawa Indians, Ottawa Irish, Quebec Provincial Team, Toronto Old Boys, Calgary Hornets, James Bay RFC, and finally Velox RFC in Victoria. He also represented the Vancouver Island Crimson Tide. One of his fondest rugby memories is scoring the winning try for the Ottawa Beavers in the 1960 Quebec Championship—running 60 yards through the snow in extra-time.

When his playing days ended, George transitioned into coaching, administration, fundraising, and community building. He served as President of the James Bay Athletic Association in the 1960s before co-founding Velox RFC in 1969. He coached Velox’s men’s teams through the 1970s and ’80s and played a pivotal role in establishing the club’s first women’s team—the Valkyries—in 1992, coaching them throughout the 1990s.

Among his many lasting contributions, one of the most notable is his role in founding the Rugby Canada Foundation. As its first director, he helped launch the Foundation with a $1 million donation. The organization has since flourished, offering grants to support rugby development across the country. Within the Foundation, the George F. Jones Scholarship was established to support players who may lack the financial means to pursue rugby success. The award, offered nationally, reflects George’s belief in inclusivity and the power of rugby to bring Canadians together—regardless of background or location. Recipients of this award are chosen for their potential to shape the future of the sport in Canada.

In 2012, George was inducted into the Victoria Sports Hall of Fame as a builder for his outstanding contributions to rugby.

The Hume family has been a cornerstone of Westshore RFC since the club’s founding in 1968, with contributions spanning generations and continuing to this day.

Jim Hume was one of the club’s original co-founders and served as Velox RFC’s first President from 1968 to 1973. He was also a member of the inaugural Board of Directors and played a key role in coaching and mentoring players well into the mid-1970s. His leadership helped lay the foundation for the club’s culture and community.

All five of Jim’s sons went on to play for the club, each taking on leadership roles during their time with the club:

• Tim Hume played during the club’s first season from 1968 to 1969.
• Steve Hume suited up from 1968 to 1974.
• Andy Hume played from 1970 to 1975 and succeeded his father as Club President, serving from 1973 to 1975 on the Board of Directors.
• Mark Hume played from 1968 to 1982, captained the team from 1972 to 1976 and again from 1978 to 1979.
• Jon Hume played from 1972 to 1993, taking over as Team Captain from his brother Mark between 1979 and 1981. He remained deeply involved in the club through coaching and managing various teams for over two decades.

In addition to the contributions of the Hume brothers, Christel Hume, Jon’s wife, has been a dedicated club volunteer. She has served as Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors from 1997 to 2018, providing more than 20 years of steadfast leadership and support behind the scenes.

The Hume family’s decades-long commitment to Velox and Westshore reflects the values of service, leadership, and community that continue to shape the club today.

Greg Clague, affectionately known as “Boner,” is a hard-nosed Loose Forward from New Zealand who brought both talent and passion to every level of the game. With 13 years of premier rugby under his belt in NZ—including a spot on the Auckland All-Star team in 1997—Greg made a lasting impact on and off the field.

He joined the Velox Valhallians in Victoria in 2000, playing until 2006 and serving as the Men’s Head Coach from 2002 to 2004. Under his leadership, the club captured the VIRU Championship in 2004. Beyond success at the senior level, Greg devoted himself to grassroots development, believing that strong foundations build great players and even better communities.

Greg coached across all age groups, from elementary through high school, and played a central role in youth rugby development on Vancouver Island. He served for many years as Head Coach for the VIRU Crimson Tide U14 and U16 teams, and also contributed to the BC Rugby Union’s U15 boys program.

In the late 2000s, Greg faced a life-altering battle with cancer. True to his character, he met it with unwavering tenacity, resilience, and optimism—traits he had long exemplified on the pitch. Not only did he fight back, he continued to give back—shaping young athletes and the rugby community through his tireless volunteer work and coaching efforts.

Greg Clague remains a respected figure in Canadian rugby, known for his strength, leadership, and deep commitment to the game.

Founded in 1950 by Walter Parker and Bill Johnston, Parker Johnston quickly earned a reputation for integrity, craftsmanship, and quality service. Originally offering roofing, insulation, tiles, flooring, and building supplies, the company steadily expanded its capabilities and geographic reach through a strong commitment to customer service and hard work.

In 1968, Walter’s son Dan Parker joined the company, learning the business from the ground up and playing a key role in its continued growth. Over time, Parker Johnston expanded its operations beyond Greater Victoria and Duncan to serve clients across Vancouver Island and, more recently, Calgary.

By 1999, the company had shifted its focus to specialize in roofing and cladding services. The addition of Rod Parker—Dan’s son—marked the beginning of the third generation of family leadership. In 2001, Rod became a partner and now oversees daily operations, continuing the legacy built by his father and grandfather. Today, Parker Johnston is one of the largest roofing and cladding contractors in British Columbia, employing over 200 people.

Rod Parker also made his mark on the rugby pitch, playing as a prop for the Velox Valhallians Men’s team from 2000 to 2005, including a championship-winning season in 2004. His passion for rugby has carried over into his professional life, with Parker Johnston becoming a major sponsor of Velox/Westshore RFC—particularly supporting the Youth and Junior programs through equipment donations and ongoing community support.

The Parker Johnston Award reflects this longstanding commitment to youth development and recognizes those who make a lasting, positive impact on the future of the club.