Larry “Bigfoot” Debooy, former Captain of the Saracens Rugby Football Club, represented his Club at the Premier Division level for 35 years (since 1970); played (and also served as Captain) for Manitoba numerous times and participated in several national tryouts. Larry also coached the Saracens and set the standard which all club players should strive to achieve.
His nickname referred to his physical size but for Larry “Bigfoot” Debooy, it also reflects the footprint he left on the game of rugby in Manitoba.
At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds during his playing days, Debooy‘s passion for playing rugby was matched only by his devotion to fitness which allowed him to make rugby his lifelong sport.
His “Bigfoot” nickname began with his stature but he carried it proudly with a fierce playing style and unique training techniques.
The Saracens Rugby Football Club’s longest playing member, Debooy played 35 years in the First Division and served 18 years as Saracens’ captain. He was selected to 15 provincial teams where he was named captain seven times. Rugby Manitoba officials said these records are unlikely to ever be broken in Manitoba.
He played in numerous international matches during his career which he later expanded to including the role of coach with the Saracens. His former teammates, who were also his lifelong friends, said Debooy “set the standard” for the work ethic and sportsmanship that all rugby players should aspire to achieve.
“Larry was a very unique athlete and so well respected by all of the rugby community,” said Gary MacDonald, a longtime friend and Saracens teammate. “To play a demanding sport like rugby for 35 years is unique in itself but to play at a First Division level for that length of time is unheard of and a tribute to Larry’s commitment to fitness.”
Two of his well-known muscle- recovery techniques included the use of ice baths and horse liniment. “Larry received a lot of teasing about the aroma of this technique but it was hard to argue the results.” MacDonald said.
Zbig Jablonowski, another longtime friend and Saracens teammate, joked that Debooy was involved in a lot of broken bones over the years. “These included, but were not limited to, broken legs, broken arms, broken noses, dislocated shoulders and thousands of stitches,” Jablonowski said. “and I’m not referring to Larry, but to injuries Larry inflicted on competitors and teammates. I speak from personal experience!”
Debooy, who died on January 16, 2009 after a battle with cancer, is survived by his wife Valerie and a legacy of battles on the rugby park.
His nickname referred to his physical size but for Larry “Bigfoot” Debooy, it also reflects the footprint he left on the game of rugby in Manitoba.
At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds during his playing days, Debooy‘s passion for playing rugby was matched only by his devotion to fitness which allowed him to make rugby his lifelong sport.
His “Bigfoot” nickname began with his stature but he carried it proudly with a fierce playing style and unique training techniques.
The Saracens Rugby Football Club’s longest playing member, Debooy played 35 years in the First Division and served 18 years as Saracens’ captain. He was selected to 15 provincial teams where he was named captain seven times. Rugby Manitoba officials said these records are unlikely to ever be broken in Manitoba.
He played in numerous international matches during his career which he later expanded to including the role of coach with the Saracens. His former teammates, who were also his lifelong friends, said Debooy “set the standard” for the work ethic and sportsmanship that all rugby players should aspire to achieve.
“Larry was a very unique athlete and so well respected by all of the rugby community,” said Gary MacDonald, a longtime friend and Saracens teammate. “To play a demanding sport like rugby for 35 years is unique in itself but to play at a First Division level for that length of time is unheard of and a tribute to Larry’s commitment to fitness.”
Two of his well-known muscle- recovery techniques included the use of ice baths and horse liniment. “Larry received a lot of teasing about the aroma of this technique but it was hard to argue the results.” MacDonald said.
Zbig Jablonowski, another longtime friend and Saracens teammate, joked that Debooy was involved in a lot of broken bones over the years. “These included, but were not limited to, broken legs, broken arms, broken noses, dislocated shoulders and thousands of stitches,” Jablonowski said. “and I’m not referring to Larry, but to injuries Larry inflicted on competitors and teammates. I speak from personal experience!”
Debooy, who died on January 16, 2009 after a battle with cancer, is survived by his wife Valerie and a legacy of battles on the rugby park.
Passed 2009