The 1994 Manitoba Under – 17 Boys Provincial Team made provincial history over the weekend of Saturday August 6th and Sunday August 7th of 1994 when it won Manitoba’s first gold medal in a Canadian Rugby Union sanctioned event. That year’s Western Under-17 Men’s Championship was held in Brandon, Manitoba, and featured teams of the best young male rugby players from three western provinces: Saskatchewan, Alberta (Edmonton), and Manitoba. Overcoming a first-game loss with three consecutive wins over the course of the two-day tournament, Manitoba took first place and the gold medal
Under the tutelage of Coaches Jim Russell and Jimmy Ryan, management of Dave Simpson, and leadership of team Captains John Cantiveros and Neil Barrows, Manitoba’s preparation for the annual championship involved two exhibition games against a touring team from Lancaster School in England, and the annual Brandon Camp games against prairie rivals Saskatchewan. Manitoba’s games against Lancaster School exposed the team to inspired, top-notch rugby, experience that would serve the team well in the coming tournament. In the Brandon Camp matches, Manitoba won two of three contests, setting the stage for its future success in the Wheat City.
On the first day of the tournament Manitoba lost its first game to Saskatchewan 19-13, followed by an 11-3 victory over Alberta, leaving all teams with a 1-1 record going in to day two. On the second day, Manitoba continued its winning streak, defeating Saskatchewan 15-5 and clinching the gold with a 7-0 win over Alberta in the final match.
Manitoba placed five players on the All-Star team, including Jamie Swaile at Hooker, Darcy Littlewood at #8, Colin Pochailo at Outside Centre, Steve Boulton at Wing, and Captain John Cantiveros at Scrumhalf. CRU Selector John Garvie called Cantiveros “Head and shoulders above everyone the best player in the tournament.” In addition to the outstanding play of these five individuals Manitoba was also bolstered by the inspired forward play of Mike Stuart and Tyler Curry, the rock-solid resolve of Jason Guy and Andy Majewski, and the dependable boot of Chris Draude. Co-Captain Neil Barrows suffered a concussion on Saturday, but was on the sidelines as the team’s spiritual leader on Sunday.
While Manitoba teams have gone on to varying levels of success at the inter-provincial level since, the 1994 Under-17 Team stands out as the first team to bring home the gold for the province. For its efforts, the team was presented with an Achievement Award from the Manitoba Order of Sport Excellence.
The 1994 Manitoba Under – 17 Boys Provincial Team
Andrew Holtmann
Andrew Majewski
Aron Brown
Christopher Carbert
Christopher Draude
Christopher McClune
Colin Pochailo
Darcy Littlewood
David Fox
Jamie Swaile
Jason Guy
John Cantiveros
Jose Pinzon
Kalen Brunham
Michael Stuart
Mike Pilon
Paul Williams
Robert Sarauskas
Robin Smith
Sean Smith
Shaun Ferguson
Tyler Curry
Jim Russell - Coach
Jim Ryan - Assistant Coach
Dave Simpson - Manager
Under the tutelage of Coaches Jim Russell and Jimmy Ryan, management of Dave Simpson, and leadership of team Captains John Cantiveros and Neil Barrows, Manitoba’s preparation for the annual championship involved two exhibition games against a touring team from Lancaster School in England, and the annual Brandon Camp games against prairie rivals Saskatchewan. Manitoba’s games against Lancaster School exposed the team to inspired, top-notch rugby, experience that would serve the team well in the coming tournament. In the Brandon Camp matches, Manitoba won two of three contests, setting the stage for its future success in the Wheat City.
On the first day of the tournament Manitoba lost its first game to Saskatchewan 19-13, followed by an 11-3 victory over Alberta, leaving all teams with a 1-1 record going in to day two. On the second day, Manitoba continued its winning streak, defeating Saskatchewan 15-5 and clinching the gold with a 7-0 win over Alberta in the final match.
Manitoba placed five players on the All-Star team, including Jamie Swaile at Hooker, Darcy Littlewood at #8, Colin Pochailo at Outside Centre, Steve Boulton at Wing, and Captain John Cantiveros at Scrumhalf. CRU Selector John Garvie called Cantiveros “Head and shoulders above everyone the best player in the tournament.” In addition to the outstanding play of these five individuals Manitoba was also bolstered by the inspired forward play of Mike Stuart and Tyler Curry, the rock-solid resolve of Jason Guy and Andy Majewski, and the dependable boot of Chris Draude. Co-Captain Neil Barrows suffered a concussion on Saturday, but was on the sidelines as the team’s spiritual leader on Sunday.
While Manitoba teams have gone on to varying levels of success at the inter-provincial level since, the 1994 Under-17 Team stands out as the first team to bring home the gold for the province. For its efforts, the team was presented with an Achievement Award from the Manitoba Order of Sport Excellence.
The 1994 Manitoba Under – 17 Boys Provincial Team
Andrew Holtmann
Andrew Majewski
Aron Brown
Christopher Carbert
Christopher Draude
Christopher McClune
Colin Pochailo
Darcy Littlewood
David Fox
Jamie Swaile
Jason Guy
John Cantiveros
Jose Pinzon
Kalen Brunham
Michael Stuart
Mike Pilon
Paul Williams
Robert Sarauskas
Robin Smith
Sean Smith
Shaun Ferguson
Tyler Curry
Jim Russell - Coach
Jim Ryan - Assistant Coach
Dave Simpson - Manager