Bonjour au groupe !
Voilà déjà que la fin de semaine des célébrations est derrière nous et que les beaux moments de retrouvailles nous auraient permis de rétablir des amitiés forgé sur les terrains de rugby de notre passé...
A quick look back at some of the highlights from this past weekend and a shout out to those who made it all possible.
Thursday night was Tasting night...
Cheers to David MacLeod and Steven Spedding for directing nearly 40 of us through a lovely whisky tasting. Great pairings for each of the four whisky types. A very receptive group appreciated the background about the evolution of the dram. Meanwhile, on Scobie Hall's second floor, a group of bon-vivants shared wine and food pairings as suggested by Kyla Demers and Lynda Domazet. Merci à vous deux d'avoir bien ''sauver'' cette activité rassembleur dans le but de partage et de rencontre amicale.
Friday Night Ancient's Reunion...
What a sight! What a performance! What help from the current membership to make this all happen. Under Ron Chiasson's divine leadership, 36 former players and partners gathered to catch-up with one another. With drinks and a meal shared, some speeches delivered both live and via Zoom call and an unforgettable performance of Bony Maroney - cue Mike McNally and his Tone-Def Saxophone players, these club founders gathered outside for the now traditional team photo along Scobie Hall's west wall.
Samedi c'est le Jour du Rugby et de la Fête...
Toute la journée de samedi était dédiée au sport que nous adorons ! Un regroupement de femmes, jeunes et moins jeunes, s'est livré avec plaisir sous la pluie intense du matin pour jouer au touch-rugby. Un gros merci à Susy Binstock pour son implication indéfectible. Ceci était suivi par un match impliquant un groupe d'anciens de VMR contre le groupe développement ÉTS. D'après les échos des vestiaires, plusieurs se sont donné à fond et ont même fait sourciller les entraîneurs du club en vue d'un éventuel retour au jeu compétitif ! Le dernier match était entre Queen's University et ÉTS, une reprise donc de la finale universitaire canadienne de l'an dernier. Du bon rugby à voir et, avec les troupes de Jean-Baptiste Dargelos bien en avance à la fin du match, la portion sportive de la journée a bien préparé les festivités à venir en soirée...
Cue the gathering at Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, where in a relaxed atmosphere well over 150 Townies gathered to celebrate the club's 70th birthday! Thanks to Magali Harvey for setting the tone for the evening with her welcoming comments.
With Sabrina Poulin and Ian Campos guiding the evening, all were invited to recall those who had come before us ahead of some fine presentations and good cheer. A somber moment of silence was held before the names of some lost sisters and brothers were read to the crowd that responded with respectful applause after the last name was read. Donna-Lynn Ahee began the festivities by presenting a plaque honoring the first ever women's team at TMR. She called upon Caroline Woolrich, a player in that original group, to receive the plaque on behalf of the club. The presentation of our Players and Builders inductees for this past decade saw the very best of our club being honored for their on and off-field contributions to the Blue and Gold.
Our Japanese guests had a bit of a surprise to deliver. As Eiji Usami and Hiromu Seki took the stage, Ron Chiasson, in full Japanese formal wear, and Pierre Drolet were invited to join them and to be inducted as honorary lifetime members of Kajima-Kurumi Rugby Club. Each presented with a jersey of their new club. The significance of this act is not lost on the recipients and means each will have to return to Japan on a regular basis!
Head of the 70th anniversary fundraising, Derek Kopke, then took the stage to deliver an update on the fundraising campaign, which is north of $39 000, and to draw the winners of the Adelhard prizes. Below are the winners Fianna Edgerton and Romain Parrot.
Les événements de rugby étant ce qu'ils sont, la plateforme fut prise en otage par un de ces bréboviens qui se sentait tout à fait à l'aise dans l'ancienne chapelle... Les frères Martineau se sont défiés à coup de 1 000$ pour la campagne de financement avant que Stephen McNeill entre dans le jeu suivi de Guillaume Bouthillier et d'autres. Au terme des hostilités déguisées, plus de 5 000$ ont été versés à la campagne sous le nom de French Connection !
Tom Ingerman was presented with the Townie of the Decade Award for his endless contributions and subtle leadership of the club throughout the last ten years. The resounding applause rang through the hall as Tommy came up to accept his award.
Sunday Survivor's Brunch...
For those who hadn't had enough, Sunday morning featured an excellent brunch prepared by our dynamic duo Billie Leroux and Lara DeSantis. 25 or so people gathered throughout the morning to eat and chat and review some of the stories that had transpired over the past few days.
And so, what had started being planned some eight months ago has come and gone. It was a pleasure to have worked alongside our steering committee members: Christine Regimbal, Lara DeSantis, Susy Binstock, Izzy Walker, Billie Leroux, Derek Kopke, Alex White and Ron Chiasson. The help, trust and guidance of the current executive has been a great comfort and sign of your confidence. Merci à tout l'exécutif !
It's been a ride, thanks for tagging along,
Pierre Frenchie Drolet
Chair (outgoing) 70th Steering Committee.