Gee-Gees Men’s Rugby Recognition Awards:

Chris Seyler again voted Rugby Club MVP in 2008

For the second year in a row, Chris Seyler from Alfred, Ontario was voted the Men’s Rugby Club MVP. The trophy was awarded at the uOttawa Sports Clubs Reception held on April 1, 2008. Chris’ on and off-field leadership and dynamic play were recognized in the presentation of this award. Congratulations Chris, from your team-mates and the coaching staff.

Six Rugby Club Players Receive Academic All-Canadian Awards

At the Academic All-Canadian Awards breakfast held at the University in February, six members of the Gee-Gees Men’s Rugby Club were recognized for their academic achievements for the 2006-2007 school year. It is with great pride that we announce that current players Ryan Jones (second year in a row), Peter Kruger, Pawel Mekarski and Nick Walker and former players Chris Berrigan and Avi Yan received these awards. The Staff and other players on the Men’s Rugby Club offer their congratulations to these highly motivated individuals. Although the club has had previous recipients of this award, this is the largest number of individual awards received in a single academic year.

Men’s Rugby Club Team Trainer Receives High School Coaching Award for 2006-7

Wanda Pieda, our Team Trainer, has received the Coach of the Year Award at Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Ottawa where she is a teacher. Each year, one coach gets this award for their contributions to the athletics program at Sacred Heart. This year, Wanda was the head coach of the boy’s rugby team and assisted with the boy’s tackle football and boy’s hockey teams. During the winter, she went on the winter Outdoor Education camping trip as a supervisor. In the past, she has coached junior boy’s volleyball, girl’s hockey, girl’s rugby and went on other Outdoor Education trips. She has also participated in intramural floor hockey.

Award of Merit Recipient 2007 – Barrett Karam

As well as being a player, Barrett always steps forward to do the things which are needed to get the team ready for the next game. Barrett took charge of the team jerseys by making sure they were, firstly, all distributed and, secondly, all collected after a game. He then proceeded to take them away and have them all laundered in preparation for the next match. He did this for each and every game without complaining or asking for assistance. With his connections in the local restaurant community, Barrett organized several fun and profitable fund-raisers to help defer the cost of running the club. Not only did he donate door prizes but he also organized and set-up the team Awards Night and Banquet held in November. Barrett was voted “Clubman of the Year” for all that he has done to help with the success of the team.

Club MVP 2007 - Chris Seyler

Chris epitomizes the work ethic required to be an outstanding rugby player. He keeps himself in condition year round and plays spring and summer club rugby in Ottawa. He rarely misses an early morning practice and takes time to help with the development of other players. His position is #8 in the Forwards. With his powerful running and determination he scored 11 tries for the Gee-Gees including a hat-trick against McGill during the season. He was by far the most dominant player on the field in the 65-11 win over McGill on the Easter Weekend. This was Chris’ second year with the rugby club so we are looking forward to several more exciting years as Chris continues to grow stronger and improve his game.

Scrum Half Receives Academic Award in 2007

On February 7, 2007, the University of Ottawa held a breakfast to recognize the academic achievements of its’ student athletes. Ryan Jones, the starting Scrum Half for the Gee-Gees Men’s Rugby club, received an Academic Honour. Also known as ‘Rudy’ by his team-mates, he exemplifies how it is possible to participate in a demanding sport and still be an outstanding student. The Coaching Staff feel that this award is as big an accomplishment for the club as any victory on the pitch. Click here for photos of Ryan.

Award of Merit to Gee-Gees Rugby Player in 2006

At the Annual Competitive Clubs Athletic Banquet, held on Saturday, April 1 at the Ottawa Congress Centre, Chris Berrigan, a second year Political Science student, received the University’s Award of Merit for his academic accomplishments and his community volunteerism. This is an outstanding achievement for Chris and an honour for the Gee-Gees Men's Rugby club. Chris will be playing for the Cobourg Saxons this spring and teaching English in Tanzania, Africa in the summer

Another Honour for Chris Berrigan

On June 28, 2006, at a ceremony at Queen’s Park, Chris was one of 7 young Ontarians to receive the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers. This is the highest honour the Province of Ontario can bestow on a young person under the age of 25 for exemplary community service and volunteerism. Chris has an exhaustive list of personal and community accomplishments.

In an announcement by the Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, he said, “Ontario’s youth are the most active volunteers in Canada. These medal recipients are role models who show that, by giving far more than the 40 hours of voluntary service needed to graduate from high school, caring and creative young people can have an enormous impact on communities at home and abroad.”

Chris, who is from Cobourg, is founder of the Northumberland Youth Council and a Director of the Northumberland United Way.

It is an honour for the Gee-Gees to have Chris as a member of our club.

Gee-Gee Selected to Canada’s U21 National Team in 2006

Doug Wooldridge, who played his first season with the Gee-Gees at Prop, has been chosen as a member of Team Canada’s Under 21 years of age rugby team. This is a great honour for Doug and for the Gee-Gees rugby program. Doug is a product of the rugby organization in Lindsay, Ontario and was awarded Rookie Forward-of-the-Year by the Gee-Gees. He will be going on tour this summer and, needless to say, the Gee-Gees look forward to his return next season. Doug’s achievement fulfills the goals which the Coaches established for the team at inception.

Academic Honours to Kyle Lambert and Yacine Touizrar, members of the Gee-Gees Men’s Rugby Club

On December 7, 2005, a breakfast was held at the University of Ottawa to recognize the academic achievements of Gee-Gees athletes. It is with great pleasure that
we can announce that the Gee-Gees Men’s Rugby Club was honoured with presentations to Kyle Lambert and Yacine Touizrar. They accepted their Academic
Honours graciously and deservedly. They are a credit to the Gee-Gees Men’s Rugby Club. Their names are now on the Gee-Gees Academic Honours list and record
for 2004-2005.
 

Kyle was selected as the Captain when the club was formed. His leadership ability will serve him well in his future endeavors. Yacine has been a member of the team for 3 years and is recognized as one of the most skilled players on the team. His enthusiasm for the game and life makes him a great asset to the team. Coach Robinson says “Kudos” to both of these young men.

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