Jim started playing rugby in 1971. Though he played at the club and provincial levels and was a member of various championship and Provincial teams, his biggest contribution to the sport was in the foundation that he helped build and maintain through the school and Colts programs in the province.
In 1970 Jim was recruited by co-workers from River Heights Junior High to join the Wasps Rugby Club. After two years of playing at the club level, Jim realized that most of the local clubs had been founded by immigrants from Britain, many of whom were transient. In order to allow the game to grow in Manitoba, Jim recognized that some Canadian roots were required, and so he set about drawing in Canadian-born players by establishing a rugby presence in the school system.
By 1973, Jim had the support of Sport Manitoba’s rugby office and set about organizing a school Sevens rugby tournament, to which 6 high schools and 6 junior high schools attended. With Jim’s organizational direction the tournament ran well and he was also responsible for providing the results on Saturday night to CBC News Sportscaster Don Wittman. The tournament thereafter became an annual event.
Jim followed up this accomplishment in 1974 by forming the Manitoba Schools Rugby Union along with Peter Press, Ken Pearn, and Randy Hilderman, which the four of them ran for two seasons. By 1976 Peter, Ken, and Randy had left the organization and Jim became sole organizer, a position which he held until 1987. Jim was responsible for recruiting teams and referees, drafting schedules, as well as promoting and publicizing school rugby.
During this time Jim founded teams in three different schools, established the Colts League and the Charleswood Colts team, coached at the Colts, Junior, and Senior High School levels, and became a NCCP Level 1 Coaching Clinician as well as a Level 2 Certified Coach, providing guidance and helping to develop many of the other coaches in the province. He was a referee, a teacher professional development presenter, and helped organize a High School tour to Regina. Jim also served on the Organizing Committee for the Wasps Rugby Club 25th Anniversary and as Mission Staff for rugby at the 2005 Canada Summer Games and 2007 Western Canada Summer Games.
Jim was worn many hats and has had many significant accomplishments during his involvement with the sport of rugby in Manitoba. Through his foresight, hard work, and determination he helped to build a solid foundation upon which rugby in Manitoba has set down deep roots.
In 1970 Jim was recruited by co-workers from River Heights Junior High to join the Wasps Rugby Club. After two years of playing at the club level, Jim realized that most of the local clubs had been founded by immigrants from Britain, many of whom were transient. In order to allow the game to grow in Manitoba, Jim recognized that some Canadian roots were required, and so he set about drawing in Canadian-born players by establishing a rugby presence in the school system.
By 1973, Jim had the support of Sport Manitoba’s rugby office and set about organizing a school Sevens rugby tournament, to which 6 high schools and 6 junior high schools attended. With Jim’s organizational direction the tournament ran well and he was also responsible for providing the results on Saturday night to CBC News Sportscaster Don Wittman. The tournament thereafter became an annual event.
Jim followed up this accomplishment in 1974 by forming the Manitoba Schools Rugby Union along with Peter Press, Ken Pearn, and Randy Hilderman, which the four of them ran for two seasons. By 1976 Peter, Ken, and Randy had left the organization and Jim became sole organizer, a position which he held until 1987. Jim was responsible for recruiting teams and referees, drafting schedules, as well as promoting and publicizing school rugby.
During this time Jim founded teams in three different schools, established the Colts League and the Charleswood Colts team, coached at the Colts, Junior, and Senior High School levels, and became a NCCP Level 1 Coaching Clinician as well as a Level 2 Certified Coach, providing guidance and helping to develop many of the other coaches in the province. He was a referee, a teacher professional development presenter, and helped organize a High School tour to Regina. Jim also served on the Organizing Committee for the Wasps Rugby Club 25th Anniversary and as Mission Staff for rugby at the 2005 Canada Summer Games and 2007 Western Canada Summer Games.
Jim was worn many hats and has had many significant accomplishments during his involvement with the sport of rugby in Manitoba. Through his foresight, hard work, and determination he helped to build a solid foundation upon which rugby in Manitoba has set down deep roots.