Trojans Rugby Club celebrates rich history
Published Friday July 3rd, 2009
SAINT JOHN - The Trojans are gathering.
For the first time in its rich 100-year history, the Trojans Rugby Football Club is holding a reunion weekend.
The festivities kick off tonight with a roast of former coach Dave McPherson at the Lily Lake Pavilion.
"(Tonight) is a great opportunity to celebrate the many years of commitment, work and success coach McPherson has brought to our club," Peter Fitzgerald, an executive with the Trojans, said.
McPherson moved from his post as a Trojans winger to the club's helm in 1978, and held the position until he stepped down two years ago.
"The idea (for the reunion) came about as a way to pay tribute to Dave. But then we thought we'd make a weekend out of it."
On Saturday, the club is hosting four games at Hazen White Field, followed by a post-match party at the Trojans clubhouse.
Fitzgerald expects between 200-250 Trojans alumni to converge on the Port City today and Saturday. Former players are coming from as far west as Alberta and south as Honduras in Central America.
"There have been a lot of people to put on a Trojans sweater over the years," he said.
The Saint John Trojans Rugby Football Club began in the early 1900's as part of Trojan Athletic Club. The two sides eventually parted ways and the Trojans went on to become one of the original four teams in the New Brunswick Rugby Union.
Organizers began planning the reunion last November. Fitzgerald said the current club felt it was important to recognize those who made the Trojans RFC what it is today.
"You don't want to live in the past, but you certainly should respect where you came from and who paved the way.
"The thing about rugby is, it's a team effort. The many alumni and spouses who are coming to this reunion have contributed to the club in some way or another over the years," Fitzgerald said.
The Lady Trojans will pickup the reunion Saturday with their season opener against Moncton at 11 a.m. at Hazen White. An alumni touch match will follow at 12:30 p.m., to let some of the "old boys" have a kick at the pitch once again.
The best of the Trojans will be showcased at 2 p.m. as the Trojans men's A side take on the Belleisle men's squad. The headlining match is the Trojans U-20 programs' season opener against Belleisle at 3:30 p.m.
"On Saturday, we're going to showcase the current state of our club and highlight the day with our future, the U20s," Fitzgerald said.
He said there's been talk of holding similar reunions in the future. One suggested date is 2012 to celebrate the club's 25th anniversary of wining the Caledonia Cup, or Maritime championship.
"I think the seed has been planted, we'd like to do this again," Fitzgerald said.
"Maybe word of mouth and momentum will gain from this (reunion) and we'll have even more people for the next one, if and when we do it."
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