Here is an article written by Dave Mc Master ( father of Howlers player Callahan) that was published on the Rugby Canada web site. http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientid=3817&leagueid=0&page=62294 .

It only tells part of the story. I've been involved in some some 50 international rugby tours over the last 35 years and this one for me was special. Twelve young gifted athletes,a top level coaching and management team along with a group of very supportive parents that all melded into one big family by the end of the tour. The team with only 4 training sessions under their belts kept improving by every game and at the end came away placing 3rd by beating a country (Romania) that is ranked globally 18th and who like all the other select sides in this tournament train together on a regular. Amazing !!

By the way the tournament was won by the French U-16 champions an rugby academy based out of Toulouse over the German provincial champions (Heidelberg who we lost to in our opening game 7-0) by a score of 45-5.

It is our club's hope that many of these young athletes will again represent the Howlers in the future. It is a certainty that a number of them will represent our country in the future.

As always
Karl Fix - president of the Dog River Howlers Rugby Club where "it's more than a game, it's a way of life" - www.dogriverhowlers.com and Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/dogriverhowlers

The Dog River Howlers U-16’s placed third in the inaugural Heidelberg International Junior Seven’s Tournament. This first annual tournament had 8 teams competing from four countries. Coaches Shane Thompson and Bruce Barton conducted four training sessions to prepare the players for competition. Twelve players made up the squad with 7 from BC, 1 from Alberta, 2 from Saskatchewan and 2 from Ontario. Tournament organizers are looking to expand the tournament to 16 teams, representing 10 countries in 2013. The Howlers went 2 and 1 in round robin play, placing second in their pool. They lost their opening game 7-0 to a side from Germany (German 7’s champions). However, they bounced back with wins against teams from Paris (19-0) and Alsace (42-5). They played a very strong team from the Pyrenees (French National 7’s champions) and lost 31-0 in the semi final setting up the consolation final against the Romanian National U-16’s side. The team played their best game of the tournament and beat the Romanians 45-5 to earn a bronze medal. Coaches Thompson and Barton were very pleased with the effort of the team and felt they made great progress in a short period of time. The Howlers are hoping to make this an annual event as Canada continues to develop their talent base at the U-16 level. Joe Heilman was the team manager and Karl Fix of the Howlers was the tour organizer/Director and Team singer. The boys had a fantastic rugby experience and had the opportunity of touring historic and beautiful Heidelberg.

 U16 Dog River Howlers Roster

Name (Club) (Hometown)
1. Brandon Baker (Thom Collegiate,Campion Grads RFC) (Regina, Saskatchewan)
2. George Barton (Shawnigan Lake School/Cowichan RFC) (Duncan, BC)
3. Christian Grillo (Mayfield Secondary School/Mississauga Blues RFC) (Caledon, Ontario)
4. Payton Hall (Campbell Collegiate/Condors RFC) (Regina, Saskatchewan)
5. Cole Keffer (Sutherland Secondary/Capilano RFC) (North Vancouver, BC)
6. Jake Knapton (Sutherland Secondary/Capilano RFC) (North Vancouver, BC)
7. John Mitchell (Shawnigan Lake School) (West Vancouver, BC)
8. Callahan McMaster  (Shawnigan Lake School) (Hong Kong)
9. Jackson McDonough (Western Canada High School/Canucks RFC) (Calgary Alberta)
10. Theo Sauder (St. Georges School) (Vancouver, BC)
11. Ben Scher  (St. Georges School) (Vancouver, BC)
12. Kieran Smerdon (Christ the King CSS/Mississauga Blues RFC) (Georgetown, Ontario)

Head Coach - Shane Thompson
Assistant Coach - Bruce Barton
Manager - Joe Heilman

The Howlers' Senior Team will look to "three-peat" this year's Stampede 7s Championship.  The team has a solid mix of strapping young bucks, play makers, piano movers and crafty veterans.  This year's tournament will be bigger and better than ever.  The tournament is sponsored by Macquarie and takes place on July 6 to 7.  Please visit the Stampede 7s website for more information on the tournament - http://www.macquariestampedesevens.com

The Dog River Howlers RFC ( www.dogriverhowlers.com) (http://www.facebook.com/dogriverhowlersh ) today announced their final side (U-18 men) for the Stampede 7's in Calgary, Alberta on July 6 and 7 that includes 7 first time Howlers. Last year the the U-18's came in second to the highly rated Celtic Barbarians, an invitational select side bassed out of Aberta. Joining the coaching staff for the first time will be Tyler Leggatt who heads up the very successful Ontario academy 'Upright Rugby" which numerous Howlers have been part of. This will now make 34 players from 8 provinces that have been part of this U-18 youth side since their first competition which was the 2011 Las Vegas Invitational. Almost all of these players have represented their various provincial age grade teams with Andrew Bataglia, Lucas Hammond, Matthew Heaton, Patrick Kay, Jon La Placa and Monty Tichowski having had the honour of representing Canada.

Including all all teams (women, men, men's U-18 and men's U16) the Howlers have had 142 part of 7's  program since 2009 when they played in their first tournament at the ALBA Games in Cuba. Although an exact record was not kept of the 15's players that have been part of 5 tours/tournaments since 2007 when the club was founded it would be safe to say that would add up to another 100 or so players. Of these 250 players who have played with the club over the years 25 men and 8 women have also represented Canada in either or both 7's and 15's on the senior level with 2 more representing Chile and Fiji. We have also had the honor of having the man they call the "King Of Sevens"  Fiji's iconic Waisale Serevi play for our club.

However the thing that our club is the proudest of is the some $350,000 they have helped to raise for many worthwhile causes, both rugby and non rugby related.You can read more about this on both our club web page and/or facebook page.

The Howlers will also have their inaugural U-16 men's team competing in an international youth 7's tournament in Heidelberg, Germany on July 23 and 24. This team is also listed below.

Stampede 7's U-18 Men's Team;
 
1. #  Brandon Baker -- Thom Collegiate, Regina Campion Grads (Saskatchewan)
2. Owen Bromball -- Bishop MacDonell Catholic High School, Fergus Highland Rugby (Ontario)
3. Djustice Sears–Duru  -- Shawnigan Lake, Oakville Crusaders (Ontario)
4. Mason Dingwall -- Hillcrest High School ,Ottawa Bytown Blues (Ontario)
5. #  Connor Giles  --  Appleby College, Oakville Crusaders (Ontario)
6. #  Liam Grimes --  Forest Hill High Collegiate , Toronto Nomads (Ontario)
7. #  Marcus Hall --  Campbell Collegiate, Regina Rogues (Saskatchewan)
8. #  Tim Hart --  Lockview High School,  Riverlake Ramblers ( Nova Scotia)
9. Nishant Jain -- Campbell Collegiate, Regina Condors (Saskatchewan)
10. Wade La Vallee -- Thom Collegiate, Regina Campion Grads (Saskatchewan)
11. #  William Jacklin-Watts -- Holy Cross High School, Saskatoon Wild Oats (Saskatchewan)

12. #  Chris Woodhead --  Abbey Park High School, Oakville Crusaders (Ontario)


Coaches : # Robin Mac Dowell (Saskatchewan), Tyler Leggatt (Ontario), # ( )Ryan Quaiffe (Alberta)
Manager : Kevin Blanchette (Alberta)

# - denotes Howlers cap

=============================

Heidelberg, Germany Youth Sevens U-16 Men's Team 

1. Brandon Baker - Thom Collegiate,Campion Grads RFC - Regina, Saskatchewan - March 14 ,1996
2. George Barton - Shawnigan Lake School/Cowichan RFC - Duncan, BC - September 27, 1997
3. Christian Grillo - Mayfield Secondary School/Mississauga Blues RFC- Caledon, Ontario - January 4, 1996
4. Payton Hall - Campbell Collegiate/Condors RFC - Regina, Saskatchewan - March 14, 1997
5. Cole Keffer - Sutherland Secondary/Capilano RFC - North Vancouver, BC June 6,1996
6. Jake Knapton - - Sutherland Secondary/Capilano RFC - North Vancouver, BC - March 14, 1996
7. John Mitchell - Shawnigan Lake School - West Vancouver, BC - December 18, 1996
8. Callahan Mc Master - Shawnigan Lake School - Hong Kong - September 17, 1997
9. Jackson Mc Donough - Western Canada High School/Canucks RFC - Calgary Alberta - March 11, 1996
10. Theo Sauder - St. Georges School - Vancouver BC - June 9, 1997
11. Ben Scher - St. Georges School - Vancouver, BC - February 10, 1997
12. Kieran Smerdon - Christ the King CSS/Mississauga Blues RFC - Georgetown, Ontario - April 1, 1996

Head Coach - Shane Thompson (BC/Quebec)
Assistant Coach - Bruce Barton (BC)
Manager - Joe Heilman (BC)

==========================

Stampede 7's Women's Team:

1.# Gillian Allen - Kirin Rugby Club (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
2. @ # Michelle Helmeczi - Calgary Hornets (Calgary, Alberta)
3. Jodie Hicks - Brandon Barbarians / Calgary Hornets (Brandon, Manitoba /Calgary, Alberta)
4.@ # Maria Jaworski - Calgary Hornets (Calgary, Alaberta)
5. @ # Shannon Kane - Velox Valkyries Rugby Club (Victoria, BC)
6.@ # Andrea Letal - Calgary Hornets (Calgary, Alberta)
7. Marlene Nedved - Strathcona Druids (Edmonton, Alaberta)
8. Maggie Ritchie - Vancouver Meralomas (Vancouver, BC)
9. # Kolby Ritter - Calgary Hornets (Calgary, Alberta)
10. @ # Stevi Schnoor - United Rugby Club (Vancouver, BC)
11. # Danielle Spice - Oakville Crusaders RC (Oakville, Ontario)
12. Amanda Thornborough - St. Francis Xavier University / Calgary Hornets (Antagonish, NS / Calgary, ABlberta)
Coach - # Albert Iamartino ( Calgary, Alberta)
Manager - # Patricia Jaworski ( Calgary, Alberta)

@ - denotes Canadian cap (15s or 7s)
# - denotes Howlers cap

===============================


Stampede 7's Men's Team:

1. # * James Buchanan - Calgary Hornets RFC (Alberta)
2. Pat Fraser - James Bay AA( Victoria BC)/Cowachin RFC (Vancouver Island, BC)
3. # * Jeff Hassler - James Bay AA (Victoria BC)
4. # Matt Jarvis - Burnaby RFC/St. Albert Rugby RFC (Alberta)
5. # Pat Kay - University of Victoria Vikings RFC/Cowachin RFC (Vancouver Island, BC)
6. # Peni Lutu - Regina Campion Grads RFC (Saskatchewan)
7. * Connor McCann - James AA ( Victoria, BC) /ASM Clermont Auvergne (France)
8. # * Robin Mac Dowell - Regina Rogues Rugby Club (Saskatchewan)
9. # * Shawn Mercier - Vancouver Meraloma Athletic Club (BC)
10. # David Poettcker - UBC Old Boys RFC (Vancouver, BC)
11. # Chase Sereda - Bayside RFC ( White Rock, BC)
12. # * Ian Shoults - Calgary Irish AA (Alberta)

* - donates Canadian cap
# - donates Howlers cap


Coach - # * Ryan Smith - Calgary Irish (Alberta)
Manager - # Graeme Moffat -Calgary Hornets (Alberta)
===========================

 Howlers announce women's lineup for the 2012 Stampede 7s Tournament - July 6 and 7 in Calgary
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Four new members join the ranks of the Howlers women's Stampede 7's side which includes 5 Canadian capped players. The 2011 Stampede 7's ( http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150232984636254.315842.514726253&&l=ac5d5bff50 was the Howlers women's inaugural competition where they placed second. They followed that up by winning both the Cancun 7's and the Havana Howlers 7's. At the February Las Vegas 7's Invitational (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150396097811254.347573.514726253&&l=986eeb32f1 ) they entered 2 sides winning the "Open Division" and placing 2nd to a German National Select Side in the "Elite Division" (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/set=a.10150542748961254.367351.514726253&&l=a4d61b152e ).

1.# Gillian Allen - Kirin Rugby Club (Saskatoon, SK)
2. @ # Michelle Helmeczi - Calgary Hornets (Calgary, AB)
3. Jodie Hicks - Brandon Barbarians / Calgary Hornets (Brandon, MB /Calgary, AB)
4.@ # Maria Jaworski - Calgary Hornets (Calgary, AB)
5. @ # Shannon Kane - Velox Valkyries Rugby Club (Victoria, BC)
6.@ # Andrea Letal - Calgary Hornets (Calgary, AB)
7. Marlene Nedved - Strathcona Druids (Edmonton, AB)
8. Maggie Ritchie - Vancouver Meralomas (Vancouver, BC)
9. # Kolby Ritter - Calgary Hornets (Calgary, AB)
10. @ # Stevi Schnoor - United Rugby Club (Vancouver, BC)
11. # Danielle Spice - Oakville Crusaders RC (Oakville, ON)
12. Amanda Thornborough - St. Francis Xavier University / Calgary Hornets (Antagonish, NS / Calgary, AB)

Coach - # Albert Iamartino
Manager - # Patricia Jaworski

@ - denotes Canadian cap (15s or 7s)
# - denotes Howlers cap


 The men's team has already been announced (see below) with the U-18 side to be announced in due course.

1. # * James Buchanan - Calgary Hornets RFC
2. Pat Fraser - James Bay AA( Victoria BC)/Cowachin RFC (Vancouver Island BC)
3. # * Jeff Hassler - James Bay AA (Victoria BC)
4. # Matt Jarvis - Burnaby RFC/St. Albert Rugby RFC (Alberta)
5. # Pat Kay - University of Victoria Vikings RFC/Cowachin RFC (Vancouver Island)
6. # Peni Lutu - Regina Campion Grads RFC
7. * Connor McCann - James AA ( Victoria, BC) /ASM Clermont Auvergne (France)
8. # * Robin Mac Dowell - Regina Rogues Rugby Club
9. # * Shawn Mercier - Vancouver Meraloma Athletic Club
10. # David Poettcker - UBC Old Boys RFC (Vancouver BC)
11. # Chase Sereda - Bayside RFC ( White Rock, BC)
12. # * Ian Shoults - Calgary Irish AA 

*  - donates Canadian cap
# - donates Howlers cap


Coach - # * Ryan Smith - Calgary Irish
Manager - # Graeme Moffat -Calgary Hornets