NEWS REPORT

National Sevens Coach Doug Tate announces the twelve players who will play at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England this August.

After a long season on the iRB Sevens Series circuit the team has few real surprises, and resembles the squad that reached the semi-finals at the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens tournament in March.

As already announced - Gregor Dixon will Captain Canada at the Manchester Games 2002. He is Canada's most capped Sevens player and has led the team for the past few seasons.

"Gregor is held in very high regard within the international Sevens community," said National Manager Rick Farrally. "He has led Canada with dedication and with uncompromising play, and certainly is regarded in the
same manner as New Zealand's Eric Rush and Fiji's Waseli Serevi. Head Coach Doug Tate had no hesitation in selecting Gregor to lead Canada's challenge at the Commonwealth Games."

The return to Canada and the selection of professional players Nik Witkowski of Swansea, Morgan Williams from Stade Francais, and Winston Stanley from Worcester adds both experience and power to this squad. All
three players were on the team that reached the Cup semi-finals at the Hong Kong Sevens Tournament this past March. All are veteran Sevens players. "These players are all exciting individuals with excellent skills in the Sevens games," said Tate. "We will need all of them to be in top form for these Games if we are to progress." While James Bay speedster Fred Asselin of Montreal is an obvious choice, he remains the fastest player on the team with the real threat of breakaway speed and scoring power. "Without exception, Freddy is a game breaker," said Farrally. "He thrives on the Sevens pressure and has world class speed which we so desperately need in order to be successful."

Playmaker and University of Victoria student Jeff Williams returns to the team after injury and joins his brother Morgan in the squad to complete the Cole Harbour connection. "Jeff makes things happen in the Sevens game," commented Farrally. "There are some things that simply cannot be taught or coached - Jeff has the ability to create space and opportunities for his team-mates, so it is great to have him back and healthy once again."

Montreal's Shane Thompson and recent Penguin selection is an obvious pick after his high scoring iRB Sevens Series season. His hardworking, hard tackling style is just what Canada needs in such an important tournament. He is joined by the equally hard tackling Marco DiGirolamo of Toronto. Marco has clearly stated his claim for selection after a very successful season on the iRB circuit.

The explosive running UVic student Matt Cohen of Abbotsford, B.C. has also been selected after a very successful domestic season and an equally successful season on the circuit. "Matt has had an exciting season, both on the circuit and here at home," said Farrally. "With his studies here at the university and his rugby commitments, Matt has had to make some real sacrifices this season so this will be a gratifying selection for him."

The UBCOB Ravens flanker Kelowna's Jim Douglas has had an impressive iRB Series this year. He adds some much needed height and experience to the Manchester squad.

University student Ed Fairhurst of Victoria will come right off his busy national fifteens commitments and into the final twelve travelers. He has also had an impressive domestic season and has distinguished himself on the sevens circuit throughout the year.

Bayside flanker Whilte Rock's Todd McBride completes the team. "It is no surprise to any of us close to the Sevens team this year that Todd is in the final twelve," said Tate. "Todd has had a stellar season and played
some very good sevens. Both Ric Suggitt and I have been impressed with his play this year."

The non-traveling reserves possess an extremely deep pool of talent and ability. Jesse Frender of Victoria is a young veteran who led Canada in scoring during the 2001 season. He was a member of the Canadian squad at the Rugby World Cup in Argentina and has played in every tournament until his injury this past September. Newcomer Garth Prouse, of North Vancouver has played in several of the iRB Tournaments this year and played very well. Rotherham's John Cannon of Abbotsford, B.C. played in the Hong Kong Sevens this past March and is a present selection on the National Fifteens Team. He adds his hard running style to the talented reserve bench. Mike Danskin of Victoria is another Sevens talent who joins this elite group. "Mike has had a very good Sevens season on the circuit, and adds enormous experience and talent to our squad," said Manager Farrally. "Selection is always difficult for these big tournaments, and I know that Mike has been
an automatic selection during the iRB Sevens season. Without question he has done himself and his country proud every time he has pulled on the 'red jersey'. Certainly he makes this squad even stronger and richer in talent. Leaving players like those on this reserve list at home is extremely hard. I know that Doug and Ric have spent many hours in discussion and watching the tournament film - this has been not been easy." The last reserve player is Dave Lougheed of Calgary. Lougheed played in the iRB Tournaments in London and Cardiff this past May. The recent professional player from Leicester has a wealth of experience, both in fifteens and in Sevens and he completes a very talented reserve list.

The squad will meet on July 21, 2002 in Victoria for training camp in preparation for Manchester. "We have sent out a complete preparation guide to all team members which obviously includes an extensive fitness program," said Tate. "Our fitness standards are extremely high for all squad members. We simply cannot compete at this level unless we are in top physical condition - our goal is to be the best, so we must challenge ourselves in that regard. In the weeks ahead leading up to the Games we will ensure that everyone is totally prepared."

The rugby venue at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games starts with Pool play on August 02, 2002. Canada finds itself in Pool A with New Zealand, Scotland and Niue.

"There will be no easy games at this tournament," says Head Coach Doug Tate. "Every team in this competition has been preparing for Manchester for at least a year - most teams have been using the iRB Sevens Series circuit as a preparation tool and others will have been doing there work domestically. Every game will be an intense affair."

PLAYER LIST

Name: Residing City Player#
Gregor Dixon Victoria 1
Shane Thompson Montreal 2
Jim Douglas Vancouver 3
Marco DiGirolamo Toronto 4
Ed Fairhurst Victoria 5
Morgan Williams Paris, France 6
Fred Asselin Victoria 7
Nik Witkowski Swansea, UK 8
Winston Stanley Worcester, UK 9
Matt Cohen Victoria 10
Jeff Williams Victoria 11
Todd McBride White Rock 12
Non-traveling reserves:
Jesse Frender Victoria
Garth Prouse North Vancouver
John Cannon Rotherham, UK
Mike Danskin Victoria
Dave Lougheed Calgary

National Sevens Coach Doug Tate from the University of Victoria will head up Canada's Commonwealth Games challenge. He will be supported by National Academy and Sevens Coach Ric Suggitt who will be the Assistant Coach, and Calgary's David Hill will manage the trip for the Canadian Team.

The team leaves for Manchester on July 26, 2002. Letters and emails of support can be sent to canadasevens@hotmail.com or to National Manager Rick Farrally at the University of Victoria.