The rugby program at St. Paul's High School was established in 1985 by Kevin Booth, an alumni/teacher at the school who was later to become Vice-Principal. The program has grown and strengthened since its inception and has annually fielded between 3 and 5 teams involving some 70 to 120 high school players. From the start, the school's policy has been "no cuts, all participants welcome, no exceptions"; a philosophy truly representative of the game of rugby.
In the early days, Kevin was assisted by Ron Vanderhooft, Ian Millar, Michel Khan, Al Carruthers, Stacey Dainard, Gennaro and Luca Macchia. Michel Khan served as head coach in the mid-1990's, to be followed by Nathan Cole from 2003-2006 and Perry Cole from 2007 to the present. Their leadership and the strength of the program were aided by many others who provided coaching assistance and with the full support of school administration, teachers and staff.
Many players have developed their skills at St. Paul’s and played on as adults with other local clubs, Provincial team programs and on representative sides throughout the world. Many more have learned about the game of rugby and have spread its message and shared their positive memories far and wide. Alumni from the school have and continue to contribute to the functioning of Rugby Manitoba, as coaches, officials, Board members, members of Maple Grove Rugby Park and more.
The St. Paul's High School Rugby Program has won numerous provincial school championships, beginning in 1986 and continuing repeatedly and regularly to the present. They have also toured to Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland & Ireland, Connecticut, Dallas, Kansas City, Colorado, Montreal, Washington D.C., and South Africa, serving as fine ambassadors of the game and for the province of Manitoba throughout the world.
The St Paul’s High School Rugby Program has and continues to significantly contribute to the growth and development of rugby both in Manitoba and throughout the world.
In the early days, Kevin was assisted by Ron Vanderhooft, Ian Millar, Michel Khan, Al Carruthers, Stacey Dainard, Gennaro and Luca Macchia. Michel Khan served as head coach in the mid-1990's, to be followed by Nathan Cole from 2003-2006 and Perry Cole from 2007 to the present. Their leadership and the strength of the program were aided by many others who provided coaching assistance and with the full support of school administration, teachers and staff.
Many players have developed their skills at St. Paul’s and played on as adults with other local clubs, Provincial team programs and on representative sides throughout the world. Many more have learned about the game of rugby and have spread its message and shared their positive memories far and wide. Alumni from the school have and continue to contribute to the functioning of Rugby Manitoba, as coaches, officials, Board members, members of Maple Grove Rugby Park and more.
The St. Paul's High School Rugby Program has won numerous provincial school championships, beginning in 1986 and continuing repeatedly and regularly to the present. They have also toured to Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland & Ireland, Connecticut, Dallas, Kansas City, Colorado, Montreal, Washington D.C., and South Africa, serving as fine ambassadors of the game and for the province of Manitoba throughout the world.
The St Paul’s High School Rugby Program has and continues to significantly contribute to the growth and development of rugby both in Manitoba and throughout the world.