Author Archive: Kevin Whitmarsh

Bayside Clubhouse Procurement Process

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The following was of interest at the Bayside Clubhouse meeting on July 6/15.  People wanted to know how they could assist in the building of the Clubhouse.

We are currently working on the design of the clubhouse with the City and ThinkSpace Architects.  In order to maintain steady progress of developments, the City is starting to work on the procurement process.  They are currently working on a Prequalification for General Contractors. The Prequalification will be a Request For Expressions of Interest posted on the City’s website and BC Bid. Interested sub trades should contact GC’s to see if they are putting in an application. It is expect to be posted in the middle-end of August. GC’s who successfully qualify will be asked to bid on the tender when it is issued.

This is Bayside’s opportunity to identify a “Rugby” friendly GC.  I would like to have a qualified GC and sub trades from our Rugby community in charge of the construction.  This will help ensure we get the best bang for our buck, have a Clubhouse built by those that know what a clubhouse is for, and provide benefit to those that have been involved in Rugby.

Please give consideration to this request, pass on to any interested parties, and notify me of intentions by emailing President@BaysideRFC.com.

Coaching Announcement and Updates

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The Bayside Executive and Directors would like to officially welcome Mr Rob Verrelli to the coaching staff of the Bayside Athletic Association. After a thorough review of Mr Verrelli’s credentials and discussions around the growth and expansion of Bayside Athletic Association, we feel Mr Verrelli’s passion for the game of Rugby will compliment the progressive improvement the Club is pursuing for its Senior Mens’ teams.

Mr Verrelli has lived and grown up in the local area and is well aware of the needs and requirements of the local players. “A home grown boy for home grown talent.” He has played club Rugby locally and abroad. His professional Rugby career has involved gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience with the following clubs and leagues:

  • Allan Glenn RFC (Scotland, National 2)
  • College Rifles RFC (New Zealand, Premier division 2)
  • Massey Essonne (France, Federal div 1)
  • Union Sportive Tours (France, Pro D2)
  • Salon RC. (France, F3)

Mr Verrelli has been involved in coaching representative Rugby within the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Rugby Unions. He is well suited and passionate about the growth of Rugby in the South Surrey area. He is attentive to the local talent and is in a position to develop and mentor the upcoming players beyond their high school and Junior Rugby experience. He also recognizes the current talent of the Senior Men’s teams and looks forward to continuing and improving on the successes our Senior Men’s teams made last year. Prior Senior Men’s coach, Brad Edmondson, stated “I have confidence that Rob and the management team at Bayside are poised for success. I am very excited for Bayside’s next chapter.”

The Club executive and Directors look forward to the bright future for the Senior Men’s teams with Mr Rob Verrelli at the helm.

The Club Executive and Director’s are also currently reviewing the interest in the coaching position for the Senior and Junior Women’s team. We are looking to add to the development and growth provided by our past coaches Jo and Eric. While we are reviewing current interests, we are continuing to encourage others that would like to be involved with the Bayside Athletic Association Women’s program to contact us. Should you know of any suitable candidates, please have them contact our Director of Rugby Operations, Andy Blackburn. In addition to our coaching pursuits we will have fantasy football afterschool for the kids who love playing it. Yes it will be daily fantasy football so when you get out of doing rugby and other sports the kids have some time to relax., our Women’s Director, Andrea temple, is keeping the Executive and Directors apprised of developments to enhance our Women’s team’s achievements and accomplishments of last year. We will be deciding on a suitable candidate and making a decision for the Women’s coaching position prior to mid-August 2015

CLEAN – UP THANK YOU

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A BIG Thank You to the following people for their assistance with the storage bin clean-up and equipment/uniform collection this weekend:

  • Gregg Dunning,
  • Rob Verrelli,
  • Andrew Fiddis,
  • Tyler Buchanan,
  • Trevor Purrcell,
  • Nolan Dunning,
  • Ian Gendall,
  • Lee Sullivan,
  • Ondrej Vasica

We were able to purge and conquer the mass of Bayside “stuff”. Thanks to those that dropped off merchandise and uniforms. We were able to record and catalogue some of the Bayside inventory. We also found some long lost merchandise that will be for sale shortly, while we keep the installations clean, we even found out when to schedule a home carpet cleaning services specially for this. If you were unable to attend the field to drop off merchandise please contact your appropriate Club section Director to make arrangements. Everybody’s assistance in helping us to prepare for the upcoming season would be greatly appreciated. You can check out Sanford Pressure Washing in Charleston SC over here, if you need the best cleaning services in town!

STORAGE BIN CLEAN-UP AND EQUIPMENT/UNIFORM COLLECTION

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We are looking for help from the entire club this weekend, July 18 & 19, 2015, 10:00am start.  In order to be organized and prepared for the upcoming Mini, Junior, Senior, and Over 40 2015/16 seasons, we are cleaning out by hiring Willard Power Vac serving all of Portland and reorganizing the “Green Bin” at the south end of our home field at South Surrey Athletic Park. If you are looking for storage options that are affordable, timely, and convenient, you need to look for mobile storage.

Equipment Manager, Gregg Dunning, is leading the way in getting prepared for the 2015/16 season.

In addition to this reorganization, we are collecting all Bayside merchandise, equipment, and uniforms for inventory. If you have been holding onto any Bayside merchandise please bring it to the “Green Bin” on July 18 or 19/15.

Please give serious consideration to assisting with this large project.  “Many hands make light work.”  Your assistance in these two activities is very much appreciated.

CLUBHOUSE UPDATE

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The City of Surrey has identified an appropriate architect, Thinkspace Architecture, for the Bayside Athletic Association Field House. Thinkspace Architecture also has a team of sub-consultants available to work on the project. Thinkspace Architecture is now in the process of drafting the detailed design (blueprints) of the field house. The City’s Planning and Development Manger has explained the construction of the field house is expected to begin in September 2015 and is expected to be completed in April 2016. A development and planning sign should be installed at the construction site any day.

I have requested the City of Surrey Planning and Development Manager and Thinkspace Architecture meet with the Bayside Athletic Association members and supporters. An information meeting to review the construction process has been scheduled for 6:00pm July 6, 2015 at the Rotary Field House in South Surrey Athletic Park. If you have ever inquired about the status of the Bayside Athletic Association Field House it is highly recommended that you attend this meeting. Please notify and ensure any supporters of our home and community project attend.

Remembering Joey Meekley

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It is with great sadness that Bayside Athletic Association mourns the loss of Joey Meekley.  Joey was a versatile player that played Lock, Fly-half and Wing for the Bayside U15 and U16 teams.  He was an integral part of Bayside’s U15 and U16 BC Championship teams.  His very close team mates will always remember the last minute winning try to secure a hard fought victory against the U18 Bellarmine Academy at the 2012 Las Vegas Invitational Youth Tournament.  Joey was not only a great success on the field, but as a true Rugby player Joey opened his house to his own and visiting teams as a place of companionship and comaraderie.  Joey was also known as an outstanding musician with the piano, and in particular the guitar.  Our thoughts, prayers and sincere condolences are with Chris and Paddy at this time.

Please join us for a gathering to celebrate Joey’s life on Friday May 29, 2015 at Kwomais (Kiwanis Park South Surrey) Sandford Hall 1367 128th Street @ 2pm. We request that you wear your most brightest and most colourful outfits and hats that would make Joey proud. There will be an open mike so please so please bring your guitar, songs, poems and wonderful stories to share with everyone. As it is a park, please bring a blanket if you are wanting to sit. Additionally, while parking is limited, please try to carpool or park in Ocean Park and walk down to Kwomais. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Sources Community Resource @ (604) 531-6226 with reference to Child and Youth Mental Health.  There will also be a Musical scholarship set up in Joeys name. Please visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/RememberingJoeyMeekley/ for more detailed information.

Bayside Remembers a good friend to Rugby

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Gordy Hosler August 19 1956 – May 9 2015

Gordon Frederick Hosler (Blondie), age 58, passed away May 9, 2015, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Gord will be well remembered for his long and dedicated Rugby career. He was an exceptional player during his many years with the Langley Rugby Club.  Gord was a great competitor on and off the field.  He was a true Rugby personality.

Following his playing years, Gord assisted the Fraser Valley in coaching representative Rugby.  Many Bayside players had the opportunity to play for Gord in the McKechnie Cup competition and the Rugby Canada Super League where they won a national title.  

Thank you Gord for being a great Rugby role model, and a great friend to many.   Our deepest sympathies to Gord’s family.  He will be well remembered.

A  celebration of Gord’s life will be held this Saturday, May 23rd, 3:00 PM, at The Langley Rugby Club located at 21280 Crush Crescent in Langley.

THANKS TO JOANNA MACLENNAN AND ERIC SUGAWARA

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Bayside Athletic Association would like to notify the membership of the retiring of Joanna MacLennan and Eric Sugawara as the Senior Women’s coaches. Jo and Eric have decided to step down to place more priority on their personal goals, including marriage and family. Jo and Eric have already informed the Senior Women’s team of their future endeavours. This announcement is to recognize the commitment and dedication Jo and Eric have provided to the Senior Women’s team over the last 15 years.  Over the years, Jo has been involved as a player, manager and coach within the Bayside organization. Eric has also been involved as a player with the Men’s team and coach of the Senior Women’s team.

On behalf of the Executive, Womens’ teams, and the entire membership of Bayside Athletic Association, I thank Joanna and Eric for their energy and accomplishments over their many selfless years of commitment. Given their positive character and examples of camaraderie, sportsmanship, and leadership we know they will be a success in their future family endeavours.

While Bayside Athletic Association will miss the involvement of Jo and Eric in our Senior Women’s program, we are hopeful to build on the foundation they have left behind. As a result of Jo and Eric’s consideration of notifying the Bayside Athletic Association of their future plans, we have begun the search and interview process for a new head coach for the Senior Women’s team. The announcement of the successor for this position will occur prior to the start of the new 2015/16 season.

THANK YOU JO AND ERIC!

Stephen Black, President, Bayside Athletic Association

MINI RUGBY JAMBOREE APR 19/15

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We are hosting a 16 club  Mini Rugby Jamboree this Sunday April 19th

Kick off 10:00         Ending at 11:30

As we all know these events take a number of people doing small jobs to make it happen. We are looking for helpers from all teams where possible. We do have parent involvement but would be great to have the other groups along to help out and be involved if possible. Please pass along to your groups and let me know who is able to help in these specific areas.
1 – Field Set-Up – 8:30-9:30 (Laying out field cones, placing field signs, set up tent, tables & BBQ)
2 – First Aid Station – 10-11:30 – Certified First Aid Attendants – Available to help out if needed / called
3 – Concession – 10:30 – 11:30 (prepare / hand out free hot dogs and water for the kids) – short 30 min shifts
4 – Field Take Down – 11:30 – 12:00- Collect the field cones, signs, pack up tent, tables and BBQ and quick garbage sweep
Anyone with Media friends – this will be a great photo opportunity. Expecting 300 + cute little kids
Greatly Appreciated,
Andrew Fiddis
Bayside Mini Rugby Director

2015 U18 HONG KONG 7s CHAMPS

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Bayside players  Jared Thind, Wylie Gillette, and  Liam Morrison help BCU18 win the prestigious Hong Kong U18 Elite 7s tournament. 

Congratulations! The Bayside Rugby club is proud of your honours and accomplishments.