This Cap, awarded to GEOFF ROBINSON for his inclusion, as hooker, in the Canadian National Rugby team that played the British and Irish Lions in 1966, has been donated by the family of his late wife Helen Bacho and his good friend Wayne Hoskins, of Evergreens touring fame. Geoff (or Jeff) died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s in 2019. He wore the cap many times during his hospitalization, as the game was one of his proudest achievements. Coming from a top-class rugby background, the Gloucester Cherries and teams in Rhodesia, he ended up in Montreal where his hard-nosed play was noticed by Canada. The Lions were returning from NZ and Aus. after playing 33 games down under in four and a half months, for a final two games, in Canada, on their way home. Beaten by BC in Vancouver, they beat the Canadian team 4 tries to 2 in Toronto. Famous (or infamous) names such as Jim Telfer, Mike Gibson and the captain Willie John McBride were included on the Lions team that day. Notable Evergreens on that Canadian team were Barry Burnham and Dave Milne. Geoff soon moved to Vancouver where he was more involved in coaching and refereeing (yes with the one eye) High School in East van. This was despite living in the West End and having to cycle everywhere due to not being allowed to drive. He did ref some 3rd div and I remember it being useful knowing which eye it was. The usual “are you blind ref” was met with “only in one eye and that one saw what you did”. He had 2 sons who played for Scribes. His own playing career finished with some old boys teams. Not sure if he ever paid dues but he did play for Snowcaps, tour down under with the Legends and proudly wore an Evergreens jacket which he purloined from his friend Alain Peronetti. He was also a founding member of the East Side Gentlemen.
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Ruggers,
It is with great delight that I announce that the tour to Japan in October 2024 is in full preparation! Many people have already expressed interest in this tour due to its location and its historical significance to the Evergreens RFC and indeed masters rugby around the world. In case you have forgotten, the Evergreens club was raised as a direct result of the Japanese touring to us and we and them have reciprocated over the years. It has been a while since we have toured there and it is an overdue visit for us. That being said, the importance of this tour cannot be overstated. I am pleased to announce that Mark Ward has agreed to take up the role of tour master. An email with more information and a better understanding of the tour will be forthcoming from him in due course. I am also happy to announce that George Sim has joined the tour committee and he will be travelling to meet the clubs in Japan to solidify dates and places. Joining Mark and George to round out the committee are two Evergreens with experience in Japan: Duncan Porter and Eugene Soga. I thank everyone involved in planning and helping to put this tour together. Here are the basics as they stand right now: We will tour for roughly two weeks in October of 2024. That is one year from now. We will likely play three games versus the Wak Wak, the Fuwaku, and the Gentlemen of Osaka. There will be cultural and social events unique to Japan and there will be much sake drunk! We want to ensure playing sides of an over-50 and an over-60 team, so priority to playing tourists is a given. Non-playing tourists will be considered as the teams are filled. Deposits of $500 are due on October 1st, 2023. I hope this news has piqued your interest and I look forward to travelling to the Land of the Rising Sun together! Cheers! El Jefe Evergreens RFC The season kickoff for the Evergreens Rugby Club on Sunday might have felt somewhat Barbarian with teammates lining up from Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Surrey Old Boys, and the Snowcaps. New and returning players as well as guests were welcomed with a drum song and blessing to open the season from Squamish Nation. With the Snowcaps and Ebb Tide up first followed by the Burnaby TWITS and the Evergreens Barbarian team. The Players were able to kick off the cobwebs and the chance to get the flow of an actual competition again. It's also fun to see the crowd enjoying rugby. It was a great mix, although we didn’t retain the ball as much as we would have liked it was a fantastic day and efforts by all teams. Congratulations! Many thanks to the Snowcaps for hosting the Cascadia Masters season opening tournament. Next game on the turf is at home with Evergreens vs the SOBs on October 15, 2023! You would find 60+ of the finest dressed at the Evergreens Rugby Club 2022 Christmas Dinner on December 14, 2022. A dedicated chef crew (Chris, Tony, Brett, Frankie, John, Derek and Barry) prepared a holiday feast for all to enjoy. Thanks to the Chefs and clean-up crew (Dave, Julie, and others that helped out). Eating wasn’t the only thing going on during the event, with many reminiscing about rugby tours and past plays. Joel Peterson, Club President toasted to traditions of the club with the goal to continue rugby touring every second year. The next tour was announced for Japan in 2024. Duncan and Eugene are the rugby tour organizers. Brett Hay made two big event announcements: first, the Pre-7s Old Boys Tournament will be hosted on the Friday, March 3, 2023. Teams from Ontario, Alberta, BC and potential US teams to play; and second, the Alaska Mini Tour for Players for the September 2023 long-week (4 days/3 nights) at the Alaska Mountain Rugby Grounds aka Rugby’s field of dreams. More details to follow. Thanks also to Tere for arranging the 50/50 draw in support of the Foodbank. Let’s celebrate a toast, a klink and a cheer, to good friends and good times, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! |
AuthorEvergreens Archives
October 2023
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