Celeste Corless of the Oakville Crusaders Rugby Club (Ontario, Canada) contacted the Howlers in January about donating some rugby strip for the Cuban rugby community. We connected her in turn with Chukin Chao who heads up Cuban rugby. While holidaying in Varadero Celeste handed over 3 sets of jerseys to Chukin which will certainly be put to good use in a country where rugby kit is not sold, not that anyone could actually afford to buy it considering the average monthly wage is $20. Thanks to Celeste and the Oakville Crusaders Rugby Club who have again shown that "it's more than a game, it's a way of life".

Thanks to some generous supporters (listed below) the Howlers have raised funds for some 150 touch rugby velcro belts, 150 rugby balls along with mouth guards, speed pumps, whistles, saucer cones, kicking  tee's, duffel bags, singlets for inter squad training purposes and some Howlers shirts for the upstart Afghanistan Rugby Federations youth program .The goal is to have arrangements in place to ship all of this by this June.

Contributors 
1. Tim Powers - Ottawa Irish RFC/ Rugby Canada board member 
2. Jim Sullivan - Regina Rogues RFC (now living in Vancouver, BC )
3. Karl Fix - Dog River Howlers/ Regina Rogues RFC
4. Donnie Hewson - Vancouver Rowing Club,/Canadian Classics RFC
5. Troy Meyers - Rugby Nova Scotia/Rugby Canada board
6. Randy Ludwar - Moose Jaw Nads RFC/Dog River Howlers board member
7. Shawnigan Lake School, Shawnigan Lake BC
8. Rick Bourne - UBC Old Boys RFC/Rugby Canada board
9. Pemberton Holmes (Mike Holmes - Velox Valhallians RFC in Victoria, BC)
10. Joshua Campbell - Regina Rogues RFC
11. Ottawa Irish RFC
12. Frank Hart - President and Managing Director od Greystone Managed Investments : Regina, Saskatchewan
13.Tom Woods - James Bay Athletic Association/ Canadian Classics
14. Arnold Gaudin - Lep Tigers RFC, Edmonton Alberta
15. Dale Dickson - Regina Rogues RFC
16. Bruce Simms - Regina Rogues RFC
17.Dick Cornish - Regina Rogues RFC
18.Bruce Mc Farlen - Velox RFC, Victoria BC
19. Vaughn Nichols - Regina Rogues RFC
20 Mark Lawson - Regina Highlanders RFC
21. Rode Consulting 
22. Canadian Rugby Foundation 

“Rugby is a hooligan’s game played by gentlemen”. It’s been said so many times that it’s almost a cliché. But no-one really knows from where, or whom, this phrase originated, although some credit Sir Winston Churchill; others Oscar Wilde. The fact is, despite much research, some of it my own, it seems the quote cannot be correctly attributed to anyone. My son did shout it out in the middle of a game once (with an added expletive), after witnessing an unprovoked attack on his team-mate, but I don’t think he can claim the words as being his own.

Mothers watching their sons and daughters take to the field, unprotected, to face an oncoming full-on running tackle from an opposing player, will take little comfort from the fact that rugby is “played by gentlemen”. But as one of those mothers, after watching countless games over the past 20 years – including many professional games in England and Scotland – I have never witnessed an injury in rugby as bad as some I have seen in other sports.

I still cover my eyes sometimes, if my precious (six feet tall, 200 pound) son happens to be at the bottom of a ruck, or a scrum, and I am always grateful when the full-time whistle blows and there are no injuries – on either side. Please don’t ask me to explain what a ruck, or a scrum, is. I may have watched countless games, but I still struggle to understand the game fully. I still find rugby, whilst an exciting spectator sport, to be complex and multifaceted, and the rules are not always clear to me.

It’s our instinct as women to be protective, and our instinct as parents to be scared if we perceive our kids to be in danger. The fact is, rugby is no more dangerous than other sports, though it is almost impossible to back this up with statistical evidence, as the numbers of players involved in each sport varies considerably, and there is very little research being done to record injury statistics.

Now throw in the fact that I now live in Canada, where rugby is still largely misunderstood, and where people look at me like I am an abusive parent when I tell them my son plays the game – and here we have a problem. That problem is ignorance, and the key is education. We need to educate people about the benefits of kids getting involved in the sport; we need to show that it is a great game and that it is not dangerous, as it is perceived to be. The perception has shifted slightly in the past few years, due in some part to the attention received by the Canadian national team in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. All nations need a sports celebrity, and this came for Canada in the unlikely form of Adam Kleeburger, whose talent – and overgrown beard – caused a surge of publicity for himself and the sport.

Kleeburger says, “Typically in Canada people perceive rugby players as being these goons who go out on the field, smash each other around, get bloodied and bruised and then go and drink beer afterwards. I think it comes down to exposure and getting people to see there’s more to it than that.”

We all know that rugby is actually one of the only games that promotes respect on the field; something that inevitably translates into life off the field; and something we all want our kids to be is respectful.

Kleeburger says, “The biggest thing, I think, rugby can give a young player is the idea of respect. I think rugby is the only sport where if you are going to address the ref, (it is usually only your captain who can do so), you address them as ‘sir’. If you have an issue, you have to address it in a proper way, in a manner that will help get your point across without being insulting.”

That’s great, but what about the fact that the idea of the game is to run at each other full speed, and bring each other to the ground in a battle of brawn, strength and skill? Kleeburger says, “Players realise you’re not wearing helmets and pads, and you have to learn to do things in a proper manner, not only so you don’t hurt the other player but so you don’t hurt yourself.”

So, will there come a time when rugby players have to wear protective gear? “I hope not, “ says Kleeburger. “Rugby is a contact sport, and with contact sport comes injuries – I am a prime example of that.” (He is currently recovering from a back and shoulder injury). “You have to understand going into the sport that it does have that risk. But you can get injured playing football, soccer or hockey. There have been a lot of changes in hockey; players used to not wear helmets, and they didn’t have the same injuries they do now; they didn’t have sticks to the face because there was that element of respect. Players realised that they should keep their sticks down. Whereas in today’s game, you see sticks all over the place, you see injuries to the head; it’s just a case of understand and respecting.”

Kleeburger’s rugby career started in White Rock when he was 14. He had been involved in ice hockey up until that time, but was getting sick of the politics in the game. He got a taste of rugby in Grade 8 after going on a rugby tour to Argentina.

I am interested to know how Adam’s parents coped with his transition from hockey to rugby. “My parents were like a lot of parents – they didn’t understand the game very well. They had been around for hockey and they support me in whatever I do, but it’s a little more difficult when they don’t understand certain things. My mom would come to my games and cringe every time I went into a tackle. But unless you’ve grown up with it, it’s hard to understand that it’s not the same kind of contact as, say, football. It’s much more controlled, and there is more respect, and you are actually trying to make a proper tackle, whereas in football guys can just jump out of line and just charge at you and grab your legs. You can’t do that in rugby because you are responsible for the tackle, and if you miss a tackle, that puts your entire team under pressure.”

Something I love about rugby is that it seems to be all-inclusive; there are players of all sizes and abilities. Kleeburger, who is studying kinesiology at The University of Victoria in British Columbia and is coaching the rugby program there, says “Rugby is the one program in the school where nobody gets cut. We have a lot of guys who are there because they want to be a part of the team, and want to be a part of the rugby atmosphere; they don’t have maybe the same skills as some of the guys playing at a higher level, but they are still involved and they still feel like part of the group.”

And there is something else. Rugby is not just about rugby. It’s about socializing, community, acceptance, team spirit, camaraderie – and creating life-long memories. As a mother, I like that. I want all of that for my kids. And as a parent, I get to experience that myself too; my own social life has centred around rugby for over 25 years. I guess that makes me a rugby groupie, but that’s OK.

Kleeburger says, “Rugby is the sort of sport that people get so much out of it that they really want to give back. We have a lot of parents and ex-players who still want to be involved in it because they have had such a good, positive experience.”

Rugby is a culture, one that keeps people involved, sometimes all through their lives. I personally know of one player who played well into his 80’s.
Kleeburger, who is not recognised so much now that his famous beard has been shaved (“and I’m fine with that”), says that the sport helped him build confidence. “I would say I am fairly shy, so I think rugby has brought out an ability to be in social situations. I feel more comfortable being around a wide range of people. I think rugby generates a more well-rounded person.”

And as a mother of a 15-year-old giant who is a budding gentleman, I would have to agree.

Four youths, ages 17 to 19, (George Moa, David Moa ,Malia Moa and Rachel Fisi'iahi) were tragically killed in a car accident on February 10 on their return trip to Oakland from the Las Vegas International 7's Rugby Tournament . One passenger Hunter Halatoa suffered injuries not considered life threatening. The teens were part of a large Tongan family that are members of the Oakland Warthogs Rugby Club (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn2pMxJ8vsM).

Our deepest sympathies go out to their families and friends.

Read more about the the "4 Oakland Angels" campaign on http://www.oaklandwarthogsrfc.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/pages/4-Oakland-Angels/568379326507904

REGINA, Sask. (February 19, 2013) — What started as a low-key initiative by a group of rugby enthusiasts with a penchant for travel, and giving back to the community, has rapidly evolved into a club that has seen over 300 players pull on a Dog River Howlers jersey and compete in tournaments across the world, while also taking a lead role in raising over $500,000 for worthwhile causes – all in six short years. 

“There was no master plan to achieve what we have been able to accomplish in a relatively short time period,” says Karl Fix, Dog River Howlers founder and club president. “The idea was to create a touring side that would play some rugby and give back to our communities. People have really embraced the concept and the results say it all.”

The Dog River Howlers began in 2007 with a men’s team travelling to Cuba. Since that ambitious start, the Howlers have added a women’s side and a youth program that has fielded under-18 and under-16 teams. Howler teams play in elite-level sevens rugby tournaments, and several players that have represented the Howlers have gone on to earn spots playing for Canada in fifteens and sevens rugby.

“We have certainly experienced success on the pitch, which is represented by our record in tournament competition and the number of Howler players that have gone on to play for Canada’s national team programs,” says Fix. “Of much greater importance are the philanthropic efforts of the club.

“We have supported over 70 important causes, some of which have been linked to rugby and many others that are non-rugby opportunities to support worthy causes in our communities,” adds Fix. “That is what I am most proud about when I think about the Howler family.”

Since 2007 the Dog River Howlers Rugby Club has raised over a half a million dollars to support a real variety of what we feel are worthwhile causes. This varies from the players of our Canadian Men's and Women's National Rugby Teams (most of whom are amateurs), shelters for abused women and children, cancer patents, rugby is emerging 3rd world countries, orphanages, the purchase of a modified van for a quadriplegic rugby player to the helpless,homeles sick elderly mentally ill and destitute in a 3rd world country and many more listed below. Hence the club ethos - "it's more than a game, it's a way of life

1. August 2007 the Howlers raised and contrubuted well over $100,000 for both our Canadian national senior men's (to underwrite the players for their 2007 RWC campaign) and women's nation team (for summer 2007 training camps).

2. October 2007. Hosted the 6th Annual Merv Popadynec Memorial Game (Merv was killed in the 2002 Bali terrorist bombings).http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=16304&id=514726253&l=84e4b8292e

3. November 2007.Contributed over $10,000 to purchase 16 hockey bags filled with various much needed items for the Cuban rugby community as well as numerous Havana orphanages and schools.http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20409&id=514726253&l=68c81d8c92

1. 
   4. February 3, 2008 .Contributed $ 5,000 towards sending Canadian National 7's coach Shane Thompson,Canadian National Team's scrummaging coach Kevin Wirchowsky and iRB certified coach Daniel Gana to go to Cuba ( Feb.16,17 and 18,2008) and hold instructional clinics.Part of this was also funding a scrum machine for their union.http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=28070&id=514726253&l=67aa915f6c
   
   5. February 15,16 & 17. The Dog River Howlers sponsored a refereeing and coaching clinic(first ever level one) in Havana on Feb.15,17 and 17. iRB refereeing course conductor Daniel Gana , Canadian National Team Sevens coach Shayne Thompson and Canadian National Team scrummaging coach Kevin Wirchowski ran the clinics. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=28070&id=514726253&l=67aa915f6c
   
   6. January 28, 2008 . Karl Fix traveled to Rwanda and on behalf of the Howlers, contributing $3,500 towards rugby balls,t-shirts,a computer and kit National Team for the Rwandan rugby community.http://www.sirc.ca/news_view.cfm?id=19976
   
   7. May 18, 2008 organized a fundraiser for a fellow rugby player Mike Staffen who is in a courageous battle with cancer that raised $9,000.http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7677219970&ref=ts http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=37391&id=514726253&l=f4b92d0b32
   
   8. Sept.18 2009 Karl Fix, on behalf of the Howlers and the entire Canadian rugby community, presented the son of Prescott Shipway who was killed by a terrorist bomb in Afghanistan a framed Canadian National Team jersey( plaque that read-"PRESTON SHIPWAY , A TRUE CANADIAN HERO" at his funeral.Prescott was a former Saskatchewan U-19 player.http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=52025&id=514726253&l=8cb487d21a
   
   9. October 11,2008 the Howlers participated in 7th Annual Memorial Merv Popadynec Game in Merv's home town of Wynard, Saskatchewan and also presented his father Bernie with a framed Howlers jersey with a plaque that read - " Merv Popadynec More Than A Game, A Way Of Life".http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=55492&id=514726253&l=01416f6597
   
   10. Oct.23,2008 the Howlers raised $4,000 for 14 year old Nicholas Quinton and his family who is in a battle with cancer.http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=57110&id=514726253&l=cefe92906b
   
   11. Oct.30,2008 hosted a going away party for Dog River Howlers Rugby Club's honorary captain Lorne Cardinal( CTV's Corner Gas star) which raised $1500 for Souls Harbour Rescue Mission which supports the hungry and the homeless in Regina. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=57110&id=514726253&l=cefe92906b
   
   12. December 2008.Traveled to Cuba to meet with rugby and government officials in an effort to gain approval for a a joint Howlers/ Shawnigan Lake School endeavour to build a rugby facility in Havana.http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58218&id=514726253&l=3d8463372b
   
   13. April 24 & 25, 2009. As part of the Howlers competing in the Alba Games (Jiguani , Granma, Cuba), visited an orphanage and brought along boxes of clothes, balls, pencils, crayons, coloring books, toothpaste, toothbrushes along with $400 cash. The Howlers also donated 150 golf shirts,200 t-shirts,20 rugby balls, 20 sets of cleats,30 jerseys ......... amongst local rugby players and tournament support staff.http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=66073&id=514726253&l=7bd3610320
   
   14. May/June 2009. In a joint effort with Shawnigan Lake School to raise money to help build a rugby pitch in Havana, the Howlers organized a two concert tour (Regina - May 30, and Shawnigan Lake School June 6) for one of the world's top concert pianists Cuba's Frank Fernandez and his daughter Liana. The combined events raised $4,000.http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=97975&id=514726253&l=3f45cdb68b
   
   15. June, 2009.Contributed $250 towards Danielle Rowlands in an effort help out with the demanding financial requirements to play with the Canadian National women's team. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=90701&id=514726253&l=138348a195
   
   16. July 2009. Raised $3500 for a Edmonton Clansmen rugby player Steve Ferraro who broke his neck in a game in June 2009. Steve a student supporting himself as self employed roofer will need time to recover from this tragic accident.As he has no income during this time period these funds will help get him through this challenging period and continue his university education.
   
   17. August 2009. The Howlers contributed $100 towards Connor Willis' efforts to raise $2000 (amount needed for him to participate in the Canada's U-16 national championship). Connor a 15 year old who has only played rugby for less than a year but already has been identified as an outstanding young rugby talent.In an email from him he informed me that he and his mother (single parent family) together have already raised $1000, by way of good old fashioned bottle drives . Talk about taking initiative.
   
   
   18. Sept 13,2009 held a joint fundraiser with O'Hanlon's Pub to raise $7000 for Mike Staffen's fees and books along with technical equipment for his computer. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7677219970&ref=ts
   http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=120660&id=514726253&l=7e48bc1f51
   
   19 .Oct 25,2009 raised $8100 to purchase Emily Thomas Asiniwasis and her family a 2004 Ford Freestar SEL van (along with plates and insurance) and a lap top computer.Emily is a first nations grandmother who is raising 4 of her grandchildren, one of whom has been battling cancer and as a result lost a leg. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=57110&id=514726253&l=cefe92906b
   
   20. November 17,2009 the Howlers donated $250 towards a fundraiser being held on Nov.20 by the north Saskatchewan rugby community for the family of Niu Savea who plays with the Saskatoon Krems and the North Saskatchewan Wolverines. Lui family was hit by a horrible tsunami that hit Samoa on Sept. 29.2009 killing at least 135 people and communities washed away.
   
   21. November 21,2009.While playing in the Cancun 7's (Mexico) the Howlers sponsored a local upstart Mayan kids touch rugby team from the Tulum (Howlers) by supplying them with 12 shirts and 6 balls.http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=139253&id=514726253&l=0b7e66c746
   
   
   22. December 2010 contributed $250 to help support Calgary Rams RFC's Vince Fowler and his new born son (Dec. 27., 2009) Hudson who is in in the Edmonton Children's Hospital fighting "Coarctation of the Aorta" ( a narrowing of the aorta) which resulted in his cardiac arrest , coupled with poor blood pressure and little circulation, put his organs into failure, most notably his kidneys and liver. His heart required adrenalin to assist it to pump and he's on a respirator. The money will go to whatever needs the family will have as a result of this.
   
   23. Feb.27,2010 the Howlers made their third visit to an orphanage in Havana and brought along clothes, candy,paper, pens, Canadian flags and teddy bears. We also gave the orphanage money to assist them in re-painting the orphanage. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=90701&id=514726253&l=138348a195
   
   24. March 6,2010 - contributed $1,000 towards the Canadian National Woman's Team program for the preparation of their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign.
   
   25. April 30, 2010 -in a joint endeavour with the Saskatchewan Rugby Union- the Howlers contributed $1,000 to underwrite 3 Howler players( James Poettcker, Robin Mc Dowell and Chase Sereda) from Vancouver to hold a rugby 7's clinic in Regina.
   
   26. May 22,2010 the Howlers contributed $1500 towards Mike Staffen's University of Regina tuition fees . http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7677219970&ref=ts
   
   27. July 25 the Howlers donated 30 t-shirts for the" all star " selections at the regional BC U-16 rugby 7's tournament being played at the Abbotsford 7's tournament for the all star team selections .
   
   28. Sept 9, 2010 - Jointly with the Regina Kiwanis Club raised $30,000 by putting on a sold out concert( 2,000 people) at the Conexus Arts Centre featuring Jack Semple and family, world renowned Cuban pianist Frank Fernandez and family with special guest Rory Allen honouring two of Regina's greatest patrons of the arts - Jacqui Shumiatcher and Doris Knight. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240171&id=514726253&l=a91dc49a6d
   
   29. November 19, 2010 - The Howlers while competing in the Cancun 7's Rugby Tournament in Mexico also visited the Ignacio Zarragozza elementary school where they gifted the group with 12 rugby balls (5 from the Canadian Rugby Foundation which Executive Director Matthuw Jones brought along) along with 40 Howlers club shirts, whistles, plastic cones and other rugby paraphernalia. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=247920&id=514726253&l=4d1103eb09
   
   30. December 5, 2010 - The Howlers donated $1,000 to Eddie Evans's (former Canadian international player who owns X-treme Rugby Wear) Nak Su Tigers Rugby Academy in Bangkok, Thailand.. As Eddie describes it - ""We bring kids in from the poorest slums of Bangkok and introduce them to rugby," he explained. "We also counsel these young boys and girls and try to provide some basic life skills and mentoring. We feel rugby teaches these youngsters the basic fundamentals of life, also instilling the types of discipline and leadership qualities only rugby can provide.Our goal in the future is to provide a proper rugby clubhouse and training facility, which would help these kids develop into great rugby sportsmen and women. As well, we would offer vocational training for careers to help them escape the cycle of extreme poverty they live in." http://www.bcrugby.com/index.php?src&category=Main&refno=346
   
   31. January 5, 2011. The Howlers donated $500 to buy much needed food to a group of Canadian Football League players heading to Haiti to do humanitarian work.
   
   32. January 17, 2011 - The Howlers along with the generous support of "Club Supporters" Roger Gay (Mexico City) and Mike Holmes(Victoria, BC) put together a bursary/scholarship that brought 20 year old Mexican National Rugby Team player Christian Henning to the University Of Victoria to pursue his studies and rugby.
   
   33. January 20, 2011 - Howlers raised $5,400 for Emily Asiniwasis an amazing First Nations women now residing in Edmonton who has been raising her grandchildren and now great grandchildren single handedly. Originally she was living in Regina but had to move to Edmonton as her grandson Nicolas had to receive treatment at the Children's Hospital there for the cancer he was fighting( lost part of his leg).Emily sadly now also has been diagnosed with cancer.She will be undergoing radiation and Chemo at the end of the month to try and stop the cancer from spreading. The doctor believes it is 50/50 in removing the cancer. Emily's situation at home is very unstable and now a family member has left leaving her with all the rent. She is feeding 7 by going to the food bank and it is heartbreaking to know she has to support an entire family while in treatment of serious cancer.Howler Darren Cunningham has also arranged to get some needed van repairs( a Howlers purchase on 2009 with the major funds again coming from Mosaic and Young's Equipment) along with arranging for the wives of the Clansmen Rugby Club(that he is president of) to drop off regular meals for Emily and her grandchildren. Previous Howlers fundraisers:
   http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=57110&id=514726253&l=cef
   
   34. February 12, 2011 - The Dog River Howlers Rugby Club's " Bowties and Sweethearts Valentine's Gala" raised $25,000 for a very worthwhile charity which supports shelters for abused woman and their children.
   http://www.nationalpost.com/Bowties+Sweethearts/4276683/story.html
   http://www.leaderpost.com/life/holiday-guide/christmas-cheer/Raising+glasses+raising+funds/4143670/story.html
   
   35. February 24, 2011 -The Dog River Howlers Rugby Club on a partnership basis with Eddie Evans' X-treme Rugby Wear has agreed to underwrite the cost of purchasing a team rugby strip for the Oak Hill Boys Ranch in Bon Accord Alberta(30 miles outside of Edmonton). It has been operating since 1961 as highly comprehensive treatment program for boys ages 11 to 16 which services include : Milieu therapy, educational programming, Aboriginal awareness and cultural activities, recreation and fitness, horseback riding, farming, animal care, and outdoor adventures. Individual, family, and group therapy are also offered. Mike Moss a long term rugby man from Edmonton who works at this facility intends to enter a team in the Edmonton school league . He feels that a rugby program will be another tool to help these youngsters in their healing process.
   http://www.oakhillboysranch.ca/
   
   36. March 12, 2010 -The Dog River Howlers have contributed $500 towards the 'Match Official Award". Rugby Canada and the Canadian Rugby Foundation have recognized that if this game is to further develop at the High Performance level there needs to be an increasing focus of attention upon Match Official development in Canada. The development of High Performance players requires an accompanying supply of High Performance Match Officials. Therefore, the Canadian Rugby Foundation has created a 'To be named Award' that will recognise this need by awarding a grant to assist a High Performance Match Official to travel and gain international exposure in order to further develop their skills and knowledge in their specific domain (referees, referee performance reviewers, citing commissioners and judicial officers).For more information on the 'to be named' Match Official Award, please contact Don Whidden by phone (780) 437-5805 or by email [email protected] Canadian Rugby Foundation PO Box 8003 Victoria, BC V8W - 3R7.They have set our sights on raising $ 300,000.00 in order to properly endow this annual award.
   
   37. March 26, 2011 - The Dog River Howlers Rugby Club sent Howlers rugby balls to the Nyamagabe Rugby Club in Kigali Rwanda and the Los Escarabajos Rugby Club in Mendoza Argentina to support their development programs.
   
   38. April 12,2011 - Kevin Blanchette a Dog River Howlers Rugby Club team director and manager of the their junior program has generously underwritten the cost of buying team strip for both the men's and women's rugby teams of his former high school Athol Murray College of Notre Dame.
   This celebrated institution is located 50 kilometres south west of Regina, Saskatchewan in the village of Wilcox which ironically is the next town over to "Dog River" (actually Rolleau) where CTV's award winning series Corner Gas (http://www.cornergas.com/) was filmed and in turn from where our club derives it's name .
   Dating back to 1920 Notre Dame College(which it is commonly referred to) was moulded by the iconic Order Of Canada recipient Pere Athol Murray. Six further school alumni proudly followed in the footsteps of the beloved mentor in receiving Canada's highest civilian order.The school has a proud academic and athletic history which includes having over 100 of their former students drafted by the NHL including Wendel Clark, Rod Brind'Amour, Curtis Joseph, Brad Richards and Vincent Lecavalier. The "Hounds" have also been a dominant force in Saskatchewan high school rugby producing Canadian National Team players Scott Franklin , Chauncey O'Toole and Megan Mutrie. The Howlers who's philosophy is "it's more than a game, it's a way of life" feel they have much in common with the Hounds who's school motto is "struggle and emerge". We of course hope to see a number of these Hounds joining the ranks of the Howlers junior and senior men's programs and newly currently being formed women's team on their way to our various Canadian National teams.
   
   39. March 26, 2011 - The Dog River Howlers Rugby Club sent Howlers rugby balls to the Nyamagabe Rugby Club in Kigali Rwanda, and the Los Escarabajos Rugby Club in Mendoza Argentina to support their development programs.
   
   40. May 26, 2011 - The Dog River Howlers Ship 13 Boxes, 343 lbs of Rugby Kit To Havana. What started out as cleaning some items out of my parents storage room then turned into a worldwide donation campaign! The response to our "Cuban Rugby Gear Campaign" was tremendous. Various rugby apparel, boots and other rugby" stuff " was collected from as far away as England to the local White Rock Bayside Team. Notable donations include; 3 full sets of jerseys from The Oakville Crusaders organized by Peter Kijak; a plethora of kit from Plymouth Albion in the U.K coordinated by Canadian International Tyler Hotson, a full set of new jerseys graciously given by Lionheart Sports orchestrated by Robin MacDowell, and over 100 pairs of children’s rugby boots from the Regina Rogues devised by Dick Cornish .The Howlers also helped to underwrite 240 t-shirts for a youth rugby tournament that Annie Legault from the local Canadian Embassy helped to organize along with Chukin Chao.. This outpouring of support has been fantastic and speaks to the character of rugby players and supporters across Canada. All 343 lbs of rugby gear was shipped to Havana on May 13 2011 in time for the youth tournament that weekend. Thanks to Howler Chase Sereda who organized this endeavour.
   
   RESPONSE FROM CUBA - Dear friends, Cuban rugby community would like to thank the Howlers and all other people involved in this so kind gesture of donating the rugby gear for our kids and t-shirts for our first international school tournament which was were sent last May 13th. This rugby gear is of great help to continue developing rugby in our country and particularly for our kids (girls and boys) who enjoyed very much the tournament held last Saturday May 21st. We are very gratefull for the support, solidarity and friendship received from all of you which give us strength to keep moving forward. Our hearts will be always with you!!! Chukin Chao General Coordinator Unio Cubana de Rugby.
   
   41. June 9,2011 - the Howlers spearheaded by club player and board member Chase Sereda and his family held a fundraiser at Vancouver's spectacular False Creek Yacht Club which raised some $6300 going towards the various club endeavours and KidSports which supports kids with limited financial resources to participate in sports programs.
   
   42. June 28, 2011 - the Howlers sent an array of club gear for a silent auction at fundraiser being held on July 8 in support of long time Saskatoon Krems player Terry Bendel who has been suffering with MS and is in need of a surgery not covered in Canada under medicare.
   
   43. June 29, 2011 - the Howlers donated $500 to Gainline Africa (http://gainlineafrica.org/) which is a Canadian sports organization that uses the power of rugby as vehicle for development in post- conflict communities like Gulu in northern Uganda.
   
   44. June 30, 2011 - Howlers' Paul Holmes from Calgary, Alberta an ardent supporter our game (especially in eastern Europe) has generously donated a set of Howlers playing strip to be given to a local Kiev youth team playing at the John Marsh Memorial Youth Rugby Tournament held in Kiev, Ukraine this October (http://www.kyivpost.com/news/guide/sevendays/spec/detail/30030/#ixzz1Qm5MWVJU). Marsh who died in 2004 was one of the pioneers in the development of youth rugby in the Ukraine.
   
   45. July 4, 2011 - Howlers board member Tim Young has generously donated $1,000 specifically earmarked for the new upstart Howlers women's team which will assemble and compete for the first time at Calgary's Stampede 7's this weekend.
   
   46. July 9 ,2011 the Howlers are contributing $500 towards fellow Howler and former Canadian National team 7's rugby player Jordan Kozina's cross Canada bike trek he tubbed "Trek 4 MS" (www.trek4ms.ca/) that started in Tofino, BC on June 15 and which he hopes to complete 9,000 km later on the other extreme end of our country (Port Spear, Newfoundland)by mid September. Jordan said that what started out as an adventure he decided to dedicate to his aunt Mare who passed way from Multiple Sclerosis. His 2,000 km journey so far has garnered him some $10,500 for MS research with his final goal being $100,000.
   
   47. July 28, 2011 the Howlers contributed $600 towards 4 woman Howlers( Maria Jaworski, Kayla Mack, Laura Stoughton and Daniele Rowlands) that have been selected to play in our National Women's Rugby Team competing in the Nation's Cup in Toronto in August 2011. This will help to offset the $3,000 each player has to pay to represent our country in this competition.
   
   48. September 22 , 2011 - Following a brief but fruitful joint fund raising initiative by the Dog River Howlers and Rugby Canada prior to the Rugby World Cup - The 'We Stand on Guard For Thee' (supportrugby.ca/we-stand-on-guard-for-thee/) campaign eventually raised over $53,000, that will go to assisting players on the men's team cover expenses while being away from home for over two months. With the product left over Rugby Canada CEO Graham Brown and Karl Fix determined would be best used to help fund other Canadian team programs including the men's and women's sevens teams. as we are all one big Canadian rugby family.
   http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientid=3817&leagueid=0&page=55589
   
   49.October 1, 2011 - Barb Ryan (mother of NFL Seattle Seahawks' punter Jon Ryan) has been deeply involved in supporting a Somalian refugee family that has come to Regina. The Dog River Howlers Rugby Club applaud her community efforts as it aligns with their ethos best said by Teddy Roosevelt - "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" and also described in this song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM . Having said that the Howlers are contributing $500 to Abdikna Farah ( the male head of a family of 11) in his effort to further educate himself in this case paying for a course in 'Leadership For Safety Excellence'.
   
   50. December 1 , 2001 - the Howlers visited for the 4th time the Havana, Cuba orphanage they have supported since their first visit in 2007 and left for them much needed clothes, school supplies toys and $700 cash. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150396097811254.347573.514726253&&l=986eeb32f1
   
   51. December 1, 2011 -The Dog River Howlers led by Robin Mc Dowell( who raised $1181 himself) raised $1431 for the "Movemeber Canada" (ca.movember.com/) . During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in Canada and around the world. With their “Mo’s”, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men's health, specifically prostate cancer.
   
   52. December 2, 2011 - The Howlers while playing in the Havana Howlers 7's visited the orphanage we support in Havana ( 4th time now). Along with $700 cash the players and supporters brought along bags of toys, pencils, colouring books, sun glasses ... and the thing they treasured the most - clothes. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150396097811254.347573.514726253&&l=986eeb32f1
   
   53. January 8 ,2012 - January 12 ,2012 - In an effort to support Saskatchewan Rugby Union in their quest to hire Dean Murten (highly qualified/ passionate who is also a Canada U-17 coach) as their technical director on a year round full time basis the Howlers club contributed $3,000 (raised at local fundraiser in Regina) and further to that 2 Howlers board members donated another $15,000 towards this effort. It was felt that that a full time person of this quality would go a long way in furthering the development of Saskatchewan and then in turn Canadian rugby.
   
   54. February 11,2012. The 2nd annual Dog River Howlers "Sweethearts and Bowties " Valentine's Gala raised some $100,000 in support of 4 women's shelters in Regina that provide shelter, services,and programs for women and children fleeing situations of domestic violence and abuse. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150531004596254.366221.514726253&&l=ad3d9ab71c
   
   55. March 10, 2012 - Twenty one year old Jared Hendry a student at the University of Victoria is collecting used sports equipment including rugby gear for impoverished children in the Philippines. The concept was "physical activity has been proven to increase youth effectiveness in the classroom by: increasing self-confidence and self-image, enhance creativity and memory, lead to better task performance and concentration, and decrease anxiety and depression". In turn the Howlers donated $250 to this most worthy cause which Jared will use to buy needed sports equipment for this project
   
   56. March 12, 2012 - The Howlers donated $250 towards the BC Youth Elite Rugby 7's Program who's director is Howlers' Shane Thompson.
   
   57. May 14 - The Howlers donated $250 and 2 Howlers balls towards the Swift Current Rugby Youth Association headed up by Rufus Crawford. Their mini rugby program has forty girls and boys between the ages of 4 and 12 registered. Rufus has also started a High School girls program in this Saskatchewan town.
   
   58.March 15, 2012 - the Howlers donated a numbered and signed (artist Ladd Fogarty) limited edition collectors item print of Dog River (which the 8 main actors of Corner Gas signed on the back - something they have never done before) to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation anual fundraiser which former Regina Rogues RFC member Kevin Vandeven heads up.
   
   59. May 22, 2012 - The Dog River Howlers, Rugby Canada and Balmy Beach Rugby Club teamed up to help Kerry Singh (Huggy) raise funds for his new wheelchair-accessible van. Better known to former teammates and friends as Huggy, was a member of the Balmy Beach RFC of Toronto in 1993 when he suffered a spinal cord injury while playing rugby. The injury resulted in quadriplegia and in 1994 the Balmy Beach Rugby Club, friends and family helped Huggy raise money to purchase a van that could be modified for him to drive. This helped him improve his quality of life and allowed him to enjoy his independence of mobility, but the van is over 15 years old now and in need of being replaced. To date this endeavour has raised some $36,000 of a targeted$50,000.http://donate.rugbycanada.ca/e/huggy
   
   60. May 24, 2012 - The Howlers donated $250 towards the "KIDS FIRST CARE AT COCHRANE HIGH SCHOOL" which is a child care program established at Cochrane High School in Regina. Cochrane is a vocational school serving approximately 450 students, many with a myriad of learning challenges. Cochrane offers a holistic program that prepares students to be successful in life. Most Cochrane students who become parents leave school mainly due to the lack of available child care for their babies. To help meet this need, the school has donated space for a day care centre. The centre will allow these young parents an opportunity to complete high school and offers support services including parenting classes and a parent support group. Parents, grandparents and elders will be involved in programming in the day care.
   
   61. July 15, 2012 - The Howlers donated $250 to the O.S.C.A.R Charity Golf Classic which raises much needed funds for SickKids Hospital, Cardiac Critical Care Unit and the Regina General Hospital, Pediatric Outpatient Clinic! - http://www.oscarcharity.com/
   
   62. August 4, 2012 - The Howlers rased some $10,000 at a back yard party at the home of Karl Fix/Sandy Beug featuring the legendary singer song writer Jerry Jeff Walker (http://www.leaderpost.com/Walker+plays+show+city+backyard/7049680/story.html#ixzz22vXtaDfe ) (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150956434541254.406310.514726253&&l=daee112ebe ). Half of the money went to Saskatchewan's Premier Wall Golf Classic which supports Hope's Home ( an integrated family centered environment offering Early Learning and Daytime Respite for medically fragile children, their siblings, and children from the community -http://hopeshome.org/ ). The rest of the funds the Howlers retained to help fund the various worthy endeavours they help to underwrite.
   
   63. August 9, 2012 -The Howlers donated $250 to help underwrite cancer (carcinoid) treatments in Switzerland as it is not available in the USA yet) for a the sister (Tami Running) of a friend of the Howlers (Denice Mutzenberger - http://www.facebook.com/events/375066989199482/) who currently resides in Hazen, North Dakota.
   
   64. August 14, 2012 - The Howlers contributed $250 to Regina Campion Grads RFC's player Brennan Daku ( only player selected from Regina area) in an effort to help underwrite his expenses and loss of wages as he moves to Calgary fror 5 weeks to play with the Wolfpack (the Prairies entry in our national competition - the 4 team CRC).
   
   65. August 22, 2012 - The Howlers represented by team player and board member Chase Sereda donated a box of rugby balls and jerseys to be distributed to Fijian village of Namara (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri8OS2iRp8g )by Pataia Usakilakeba of the Bayside Rugby Club in White Rock BC. Attached picture of Chase and PataiaHere is the letter Pataia sent us :"Karl from the bottom of hearts I would like to thank the Dog River Howles and Chase for the rugby gift that would help the youth in Fiji. There a little suburb consist of 9 villages that are waiting for the arrival of their Rugby jersey and other rugby gifts that will be highly appreciated by the whole clan. The gift from your team was received by our Snr Pastor of our Fijian church who will be travelling to Fiji this Sunday to visit and hand deliver all this rugby gifts to the village of Namara, in the Province of Tailevu.I will send the pics from the exchange of gifts in Fiji when they receive the gifts. "Thanks Petaia Usakilakeba.
   
   66. August 31, 2012 - The Howlers donated $900 (about half the cost) towards the purchase of a new strip for the former rugby team (Nacamaki, Fiji) of Howler player Peni Lutdromu . Here are Peni's own words :
   "Hi everyone, I just want to let everyone know that we are in the process of ordering our jersey's for my rugby club back in Nacamaki, Fiji. I just want to thank everyone who donated to my fundraising efforts, with a special thanks to Karl Fix, the Dog River Howlers and the Campion Grads for their support and donations. Any extra money raised I will be using to purchase rugby shoes in Fiji. If anyone is still interested in donating, they can contact me through my email at [email protected] or at my home at 306-586-7310. Thanks again for all the support, it is greatly appreciated!
   Growing up in the Fiji Islands, I learned to love rugby at an early age and have never stopped. I grew up on Koro Island which is one of the 150 islands that make up Fiji. My village, Nacamaki village, has a population of about 180 people and still to this day has no electricity, no running water and is only accessible by an eight hour boat ride. The islands of Fiji are known for their beauty, but it is also important to make people aware that Fiji is a developing country and over 80% of Fijian people live in poverty. Rugby is a beloved sport in Fiji, but it is not uncommon to see most players playing barefoot and to see team uniforms that are decades old due to the economic challenges of the country. I received my first pair of rugby shoes when I was 14 and I was lucky enough to make my village rugby team and go on to represent my island team, and Fiji, at higher levels, as well as embark on rugby at an international level. Even though I live in Canada now, I am a Fijian at heart and I will always be grateful for my Fijian roots. I am humbled by my upbringing in a country and village surrounded by poverty.
   In December 2012, I will be traveling to my village in Fiji to visit my family. In support of the continued development of rugby in Fiji, and specifically of my village's rugby club, I have decided to fundraise in effort to buy a new set of jerseys for my village's rugby club. My goal is to raise enough money to buy a complete set of jerseys for 15's aside (which would also be used for 7's aside). The jerseys that the club is currently using are the same jerseys that I wore 9 years ago. I am grateful to the support that my village gave to me as I pursued my rugby career and would like to show my appreciation by giving back to my community." - Peni Lutu.
   
   67. October 25,2012 - The Dog River Howlers Rugby Club have contributed $1,000 towards The Praire Wolf Pack (the Canadian prairie province's representative in the America's Rugby Championship) in recognition and appreciation of their staunch support for the Howlers program over the years. A response from Wolf Pack director, former national team player, and Howlers player and coach - Ryan Smith :“…The Prairie Wolf Pack and the Dog River Howlers have a number of common threads. Both of these organizations draw heavily from our top prairie based players, supporters and clubs. We (the Wolf Pack) fully support the Howlers in their efforts both on and off the rugby pitch, and feel that the ethos of their organization fits our culture here at the ‘Pack’. I hope that our two teams can partner in building a stronger prairies rugby community and that we can build towards becoming a force for years to come. We want to thank the Howlers for their efforts in growing the game and for supporting our program at all levels.
   
   68. November 25, 2012 - The Howlers donated 50 balls,70 t-shirts and the Peckham Cup for an Ultra 7's Rugby match between Nacamaki and Tuatua Rugby Clubs on Koro Island, Fiji on December 23, 2012. The balls and t-shirts will go to the various villages (total of 10) that will be part of this event.
   
   69. November 30, 2012 - The Howlers donated $400 along with bags of toys, books, crayons shoes, clothes ............ to an orphanage in Cuba that we visit and support annually.
   
   70. February Howlers spearheaded the Bowties and Sweethearts Gala fundraiser in February 9 at the Hotel Saskatchewan( Regina, Sask). that raised some $110,000 to support shelters for abused women and children. Dog River Howlers Rugby Club's board member Tim Young has been a key player in the success of the Bowties & Sweethearts gala since its debut in 2011. He’s been a member of the organizing committee every year, as well as a major contributor this year putting in $55,000 towards this event.
   
   71. The Howlers donated $400 to the Ashaya Trust which headed up by Narayanan Kishnan ( www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151580997124307) who gave up his life as an award winning chef with Tai Hotels in Bangalore to dedicate his new life to helping the helpless, homeless, sick , elderly, mentally ill and destitute in his home Madurai, Tami Nadu, India.This amount will factually feed 425 people 3 meals for a day.

 - www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151580997124307
=================================================================
Honorary Dog River Howler Don Hewson who has on numerous occasions supported various Howler fundraisers sent me this clip titled "The Greatest Man On Earth ". We Howlers believe that "it's more than a game, it's a way of life " . Well Narayanan Kishnan gave up his life as an award winning chef with Tai Hotels in Bangalore to dedicate his new life to helping the helpless, homeless, sick , elderly, mentally ill and destitute in his home Madurai, Tami Nadu, India. To help support this most noble endeavor the Howlers are donating $400 to the ASHAYA TRUST -http://www.akshayatrust.org/ . This amount will factually feed 425 people 3 meals for a day -http://www.akshayatrust.org/donate.php . Please take the time to watch this clip and read more about this trust fund and hopefully donate something to this most worthy cause. You'll see you can donate as little as $1.

Donating From A Foreign Country?

**If you are a citizen of other country outside of India– then you are welcome to transfer the donation to our FCRA account (which is mentioned below).

Bank Transfer / SWIFT Transfer - Can be made to

Akshaya's Helping in H.E.L.P. Trust
Account No. 601 601 081 471
ICICI Bank Ltd., K.K.Nagar Branch
Melur Road, Madurai - 625 020 India
RTGS / IFSC / NEFT ICIC 0006016 SWIFT Code : ICICINBBNRI

Please mail us the following details to trace donations, issue receipt and for proper account maintenance.

Date and Mode of remittance
Transfer Amount [in currencies ]
Transfer Reference Number
Nationality of the Donor [kindly mail us the scanned copy of the first and last page of your passport ]
Account to which the remittance is made
Donor's address and phone number
For online transfer, please omit the special characters and type the Payee name as: Akshaya s Helping In H E L P Trust.

For more assistance please email [email protected] Please send contributions to:

Akshaya's Helping in H.E.L.P. Trust
9, West 1st Main Street,
Doak Nagar Extension, Madurai 625 016. India 

USA Donations
Please visit AkshayaUSA.org to take advantage of the available US tax exemption. Donations from the USA can be made by check, or online via PayPal.

Since their first 7's tournament in May of 2009 (ALBA Games in Jiguana, Cuba) 197 players have put a Howlers jersey to play 7's. Over another 110 players also played 15's with the Howlers.

Most Capped Senior Men's Howler is James Buchanan with 11
Most Capped Senior Women's Howlers is Andrea Letal with 7
Most Capped Junior men's Howler is a three way tie - Tim Hart, Connor Giles and William Jacklin Watt with 3 each.


SENIOR MEN'S HOWLERS 7'S PLAYERS TO DATE (# indicates which tournament or game they participated in -see below)

1. % Thomas Aponte ( Caracas Venezuela) - 19, 20

2. James Acker (Montreal. Quebec) - 16, 20

3. Kurtis Appledorn (Abbotsford, BC) - 9

4. # Nicolas Arancibia (Santiago,Chile) -1 , 3,

5. Nick Bent (Ottawa, Ontario) - 16

6. Jordan Best (Vancouver ,BC) - 19

7. * Nick Blevins (Calgary, Alberta) -12

8. Doug Breadon (Burnaby, BC) - 16

9. Liam Burke (Vancouver, BC) - 19

10. * Colin Brown (Vancouver,BC/Ontario) - 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13

11. * James Buchanan (Alberta) - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 16, 17, 21

12. Eric Clark (Regina,Saskatchewan) - 5

13. Zach Coughlan ( St. John's Newfoundland) - 15

14. Tanner Danylczuk (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) -2, 4

15.* Derek Daypuck (Toronto, Ontario) - 8, 20, 21

16. Djustice Sears-Duru ( Oakville, Ontario) - 17

17. Rain de Guzman (Burnaby, BC) - 11

18.* Dustin Dobravski (Victoria, BC) - 3, 9

19. Jered Douglas (Abbotsford, BC) - 16, 19. 21

20. Joe Dolesau (Burnaby, BC/Fiji) - 11

21. Thomas Dutchak(Calgary, Alberta) - 3, 4,

22. Justin Edrian (Regina, Saskatchewan) -16

23. Morgan Findlay(Montreal,Quebec/New Zealand) - 7, 8

24. Rob Finos (Oshawa, Ontario) -21

25. Sean Flynn (Calgary, Alberta) -10

26. Michael Franko (Victoria,BC/USA) - 7

27. Pat Fraser (Victoria,/Duncan BC - 17

28. Allen Furlong (Vancouver,BC/New Brunswick) -1

29. Michael Fuailefau (Victoria , BC) - 9, 11, 13

30. Ellis Grey ( Halifax, Nova Scotia/Victoria BC) - 16

31 * Lucas Hammond (Toronto, Ontario) -17

32. Josh Hart (Swan River, Manitoba) - 21

33. * Jeff Hassler (Calgary, Alberta) - 9, 10, 12, 13

34. Matthew Heaton (Ormstown, Quebec) - 14, 20, 21

35. ? Christian Henning (Mexico City, Mexico) - 7

36. Jonathan Hill (Vancouver, BC) - 21

37. Connor Hunter( Vancouver ,BC) - 19

38. Matt Jarvis (Edmonton, Alberta) - 14, 15, 16, 17

39. Patrick Kay (Cowachin, BC) - 3, 9, 11, 16, 17

40.* Jordan Kozina (Brantford, Ontario) - 12

41. Jordan Krohn (Calgary, Alberta) -2

42. Fillipe Kuruvoli aka "Muddy"( Fiji ) - 9, 13

43. Albert Lamartino (Calgary, Alberta) - 12

44. Wade Lavalley (Regina, Saskatchewan) - 20

45. John Law (Regina, Saskatchewan) - 20, 21

46. Rob Law ( Regina, Saskatchewan/Montreal, Quebec)- 20

47. Faron Ling (Ottawa,Ontario) -3

48. Franco Lloyd (Victoria,BC/South Africa) - 16

49. Jeff Lohse (Kelowna ,BC)- 20

50. Peni Lutudroma (Regina, Saskatchewan/Fiji) -2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 16

51. Brennan Marcoux (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) - 4

52. Don Mathie (Toronto, Ontario) - 16

53. Gordon Mcrorie (Clagary, Alberta/Scotland) -16, 20

54. * Robin Mac Dowell (Vancouver,BC)- 3, 5, 6, 8, 12, 15, 16, 17, 21

55. Duncan Mcguire (Edmonton Alberta) - 14, 15

56. Kyle Mcguirk ( St. Joh's, Newfoundland) - 15

57. Dustin Mc Pherson ( Calgary, Alberta) - 12

58. * Shawn Mercier (Vancouver ,BC) - 5, 6, 11, 15.

59. Jeff Nish Miller (Victoria, BC)- 19

60. Cole Mosychuck (Kelowna, BC)- 19

61. Milan Mrdjenovich (Edmonton, Alberta) -1

62. Brock Nicholson (Vancouver, BC) - 6,

63. Mike Okech (Vancouver,BC) - 6, 9, 11, 138

64. Clay Panga (Victoria, BC/New Zelaland) - 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15

65. Patrick Parfrey (St. John's Newfoundland) - 15, 16

66. * Kevin Parfrey (St. John's Newfoundland) -1

67. Kent Plews (Edmonton, Alberta) -1

68. David Poettcker (Vancouver, BC) -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 14, 15, 17

69 Ryan Quaiffe (Calgary, Alberta) - 14

70. Ilesa Quaqua aka "Cullen" (Fiji) - 9, 13

71. Casey Reed (Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan) - 17

72. Mallory Roe Nanaima, BC) - 9

73. Stuart Rose (Calgary , Alberta) - 10

74. Conrad Rybkowski Abottsford,BC) - 20, 21

75. Mozac Samson(Calgary, Alberta)/Fiji) - 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17

76.Tryan Sapurgia (Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan) - 7, 14, 16

77. Chase Sereda (WhiteRock, BC) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 17

78. @ Waisali Serevi (Fiji - considered by most the greatest 7's player in the history of the game) - 11

79. * Ian Shoults (Calgary, Alberrta) -1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17

80. Dan Smith (Regina, Saskatchewan) - 20

81. * Ryan Smith (Clagary, Alberta/Ontario) - 3, 8

82. * Winston Stanley (Victoria, BC) - 1

83 Keaton Styles (White Rock,BC) -14

84 * Shane Thompson (Victoria, BC/Quebec) - 1, 2, 7, 19

85. Sam Val- Zehan (Calgary, Alberta)- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13

86. Joe van Heerden (Regina, Saskatchewan/South Africa) - 16

87. Paul Van Wyck (Montreal, Quebec) - 2, 5, 7, 14, 16, 20

88. ^ Sean Ward (Barbados) - 21

89. * Jeff Warden (St. John's Newfoundland/BC) -1

90. Spencer Watkins(Calgary, Alberta) -10

91. Jordan Wilson (Toronto, Ontario)- 20

92. * Robert Wilson(St. John's Newfoundland/BC) -1

93. * Tyler Wish (St. John's Newfoundland/BC) - 1

94. Steve Woodward (Calgary, Alberta) -12

95. Christian Wulff (Calgary, Alberta) -10

96. * Mark Wyatt (Victoria, BC) -1

97 . Patrick Young (Regina,Saskatchewan) - 2, 19

98. Shawn Young (Regina, Saskatchewan) - 14, 15, 16, 19, 21

* - capped for Canada
# - capped for Chile
@ - capped for Fiji
% - capped for Venezuela
? - cappe for Mexico
^ - capped for Barbados


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U-18 MEN'S HOWLERS TO DATE (# indicates which tournament or game they participated in)

1. Robbie Anderson - Calgary, Alberta - 8, 12

2. Brandon Baker - Regina, Saskatchewan - 17

3. Andrew Battagllia - Aurora, Ontario - - 8, 12

4. Jordan Bowcott - Cowichan, BC - 8

5. Owan Bromball Toronto, Ontario - 17, 21

6. Jared Chen - Oakville, Ontario - 21

7. Maason Dingwall - Ottawa, Ontario - 17

8. Drake Drum - Wilcox, Saskatchewan/Calgary, Alberta

9. Djustice Sears-Duru - Oakville, Ontario

10. Keegan Fletcher - Burnaby, BC -16

11. Sean Flynn - Edmonton, Alberta - 12

12. Connor Gilles - Toronto, Ontario -16, 17, 21

13. Evan Graves - Winnipeg, Manitoba - 16

14. Liam Grimes - Toronto. Ontario -16, 17

15. Christian Grillo - Caledon, Ontario - 21

16. Marcus Hackman - Edmonton, Alberta - 12

17. Lucas Hammond - Toronto, Ontario - 8

18. Marcus Hall - Regina, Saskatchewan - 16, 21

19. Payton Hall - Regina, Saskatchewan - 21

20. Tim Hart - Halifax, Nova Scotia -16, 17, 21

21. Matthew Heaton - Ormstown, Quebec - 8, 12

22. Evan Johnson - Regina, Saskatchewan - 8, 16

23. Bailey Kalef - Mississauga, Ontario - 21

24. Patrick Kay -Cowichan, BC - 8

25. Mike Kneedam - Ladysmith, BC - 16

26. Jon la Placa - Barrie, Ontario - 8

27. Cameron Lawson - Vancouver, BC - 8, 12

28. Wade La Valley - Regina, Saskatchewan - 17

29. Robin Lowenberger - Coquitlam, BC - 16

30. Connor MacRae, Calgary Alberta - 21

31. Kieran McAuley - Vancouver, BC - 8

32. Aaron Mc Adie - Edmonton, Alberta - 12

33. Kerry Mc Elhanney - Edmonton, Alberta -12

34. Brian Murphy - Burnaby, BC - 8

35. Mitchell Reid - Brampton, Ontario - 21

36. Trent Shelly - Burnaby, BC -16

37. Morgan Stone Gore, Quebec - 21

38. Matt Taylor - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia - 8

39. Jenner Teufer - Duncan, BC - 16

40. Monty Tichowsky - Saskatchewan - Lloydminster Reapers - 12

41. William Jacklin Watt - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 12, 17, 21

42. Chris Woodhead - Oakville, Ontario - 16, 17

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U-16 MEN'S HOWLERS TO DATE (# indicates which tournament or game they participated in)

1. Brandon Baker (Thom Collegiate,Campion Grads RFC) (Regina, Saskatchewan) - 18

2. George Barton (Shawnigan Lake School/Cowichan RFC) (Duncan, BC) - 18

3. Christian Grillo (Mayfield Secondary School/Mississauga Blues RFC) (Caledon, Ontario) - 18

4. Payton Hall (Campbell Collegiate/Condors RFC) (Regina, Saskatchewan) - 18

5. Cole Keffer (Sutherland Secondary/Capilano RFC) (North Vancouver, BC) - 18

6. Jake Knapton (Sutherland Secondary/Capilano RFC) (North Vancouver, BC) - 18

7. John Mitchell (Shawnigan Lake School) (West Vancouver, BC) - 18

8. Callahan McMaster (Shawnigan Lake School) (Hong Kong) - 18

9. Jackson McDonough (Western Canada High School/Canucks RFC) (Calgary Alberta) - 18

10. Theo Sauder (St. Georges School) (Vancouver, BC) -18

11. Ben Scher (St. Georges School) (Vancouver, BC) -18

12. Kieran Smerdon (Christ the King CSS/Mississauga Blues RFC) (Georgetown, Ontario) -18

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SENIOR WOMEN'S HOWERS TO DATE (# indicates which tournament or game they participated in)


1. Gill Allen ( Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) - 12, 16, 17

2. Kelly Bardy (Caledon, Ontario) - 21

3. * Jocelyn Barrieau (Montreal, Quebec) - 16, 21

4. Emily Belchos (Barrie Ontario)v - 20, 21

5. Trish Bene (Edmonton, Alberta) -16

6. * Arielle Dubissette-Borrice ( Toronto, Ontario/Kingston, Jamaica) - 20

7. Davine Burton ( Toronto, Ontario) - 12, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20

8. * Tara Eckert, (Calgary, Alberta/Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) - 14, 15, 16

9. Julia Folk (Regina, Saskatchewan) - 17, 19

10 Lisa Gauthier (Antagonish, Nova Scotia/Ottawa,Ontario) - 16

11. Sarah Gordon (White Rock, BC) - 16

12. Kehla Guimond (Vicoria ,BC) - 21

13. Katie Grudzi (Edmonton, Alberta) - 16

14. Megan Hamm (Vancouver , BC/Aldergrove, BC) - 14, 16

15. Taylor Hawkins ( Regina, Saskatchewan) - 19

16. * Michele Helmeczi (Vancouver, BC) - 12, 14, 15, 17, 20

17. Jodie Hicks (Brandon, Manitoba) - 17

18. Shannon Holder (Calgary ,Alberta) - 17

19. Robin Hunter ( Town Of Mount Royal, Quebec) - 19

20. Laura Crowe-Hutchon (West Vancouver, BC) - 21

21. * Maria Samson nee Jaworski(Calgary, Alberta/Pine Hill, Quebec) - 12, 14, 15, 16, 17

22. Patricai Jaworski (Calgary Alberta/Pine Hill, Quebec)- 14, 15, 16

23. Lorie Jospheson (Beaverton, Ontario) - 20

24. * Shannon Kane ( Victoria, BC) - 12, 16, 19, 20

25 * Andrea Letal ( Lethbridge, Alberta) - 12, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21

26. Natasha Loucks (Calgary, Alberta) - 20

27. Selina Mc Ginnis (Victoria, BC/Courtney, BC) -16

28. Kayla Mack (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) - 12

29. Janine Martin ( Edmonton, Alberta) - 20, 21

30. Charlene Mocon (Mississauga, Ontario/Streetsville, Ontario) - 16

31. Marlene Nedvid - Edmonton, Alberta) - 16,19, 20, 21

32. Chrystal Nikolia (Vancouver ,BC/Cocompton, BC) - 14, 15, 16

33. * Brittany Orr (Lethbridge, Alberta) -21

34. Taylor Reidlinger (Okotoks, Alberta) -21

35. Emily Ricketts(Hamilton, Ontario) - 20

36. Maggie Ritchie (Vancouver, BC) - 17

37. Kolby Ritter (Calgary, Alberta/Okotoks, Alberta) - 14, 16. 17

38. # Rosie Riviera, (Orillia Ontario/Mexico) -12, 14 15

39. Jamie Robins (Torontoo, Ontario) - 16

40. * Stevi Schnoor (Vancouver , BC/Calgary, Alberta) -14, 15, 16, 17

41. Natasha Smith (Ottawa, Ontario) - 20

42. Daniel Spice (Oakville, Ontario) - 16. 17, 19

43. * Laura Stoughton (Calgary, Alberta) - 12

44. Rosie Riviera, (Orillia Ontario/Mexico) -12, 14 15

45. Amanda Thompson ( Regina, Saskatchewan) - 19

46. Angela Thompson ( Regina, Saskatchewan) - 19

47. * Amanda Thornborough (Calgary, Alberta) -17

48. Charlotte Vallieres (Quebec City, Quebec) -16

49. Lauren Whyte (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) - 12

* - Canadian cap
# - Mexican cap

_
28 Dec 2012 

• Leader-Post
• FOR THE LEADER-POST ED KAPP 

Baseball, boxing and soccer are the most popular sports in Cuba at the moment. But Karl Fix, the president of the Dog River Howlers rugby club, and his squad have worked hard to help rugby grow to possibly become the next big thing on the small Caribbean island.

KARL FIX

Dog River Howlers’ Julia Folk tries to avoid the tackle of a Cuban national team player during the Howlers’ recent trip.It’s impossible to tell just how popular rugby can get in Cuba — opinions on the matter vary even among the Howlers’ local athletes — but regardless of how big the sport gets, the Howlers have undoubtedly played a meaningful role in its development.

For the past three years, the Howlers have competed in and helped to stage an annual seven-a-side rugby tournament in Cuba — the International Havana Howlers sevens rugby tournament — to encourage other clubs to make the trek to the island. The Howlers, in an effort to help Cuba make up for lost time in the highly competitive and long-standing world of rugby, have also donated equipment and uniforms and have sent trained coaches and referees to the country to share their expertise.

“They’re most appreciative,” said Fix, who has been involved in rugby in various capacities for nearly 40 years. “They realize that without the Howlers, Cuban rugby would not be where it is and they’re very appreciative.

“When these kids go down there and they say they’re with the Dog River Howlers, they’re held in very high esteem. One reason is because we’re a good team and we’ve done really well down there — usually winning or coming in second — but the rugby community realizes that without the Howlers, Cuban rugby wouldn’t be where it is today ... They realize the impact that Canadians — Canada and the Howlers — have had on their game.”

But why have the Howlers put so much time and resources into helping develop the sport they play in Cuba — an island some 4,000 kilometres away from Regina?

According to Fix, the motivation was quite simple.

“The average (Cuban) makes $20 a month — a doctor makes $35 a month — but they have what I call a great joy for life,” Fix explained. “And I saw the passion that they had for the game. There are great, great athletes, but they just had no support. You can’t play without balls, you can’t develop a game without balls and jerseys and boots and people to teach what they know.

“I saw that they are very genuinely passionate about life and about the game. They just needed a bit of a helping hand.”

Those involved with the sport in Cuba — including Chukin Chao, a long-time ally of the Howlers — seem to have made the most out of the Howlers’ helping hand — so much so that Fix sees the Howlers’ role diminishing now that the sport is more self-sufficient in Cuba, which recently joined the ranks of the North American Caribbean Rugby Association.

Fix is happy with what the Howlers have helped accomplish with the sport in Cuba, but he insists that his mission, which includes supporting a small orphanage that the team visits annually and trips to historical and cultural sites on the island, is only partly based on spreading the word about the sport he loves.

“It’s a learning experience for these kids,” said Fix, whose Howlers are involved in several good causes outside of rugby. “They’ve got to raise some money, save some money to go on this trip. They get to play some high-level rugby — a number of them go on to play for national teams — and they get a great cultural experience. And later on when it’s their turn, they’ve got to step up to the plate and do the same thing. It’s the circle of life that I hope that these young people grasp and many of them do. We always say, ‘It’s more than a game; it’s a way of life.’

“Rugby is just a vehicle — it’s part of your education, part of your life skills.”

This philosophy isn’t lost on Angela and Amanda Thompson, sisters who counted their trip to the orphanage as a highlight of their Cuban experience.

“Words can’t describe how good of an experience (the orphanage visit) was,” said Angela, a kinesiology student at the University of Regina. “It was really hard to leave, but they were super-excited about everything they got and ecstatic about us visiting them ... It was kind of tough to see, but the smiles on their faces and the way they lit up melted my heart.”

“The orphanage was absolutely amazing,” added Amanda, who works at the General Hospital. “They were so grateful for everything that we had and they just wanted to take everything. We brought so much, but the Safeway bags were probably the best things that we bought, because they were just shoving everything in the bags — they couldn’t even carry them.

“It was amazing to be able to bring so much happiness to the kids.”