Over the last number of years the Howlers have donated money, school supplies and clothes to Cuban schools and orphanages along with a variety of rugby gear, balls and even a scrum machine to the rugby community. They have also financed sending down former Canadian national team coaches Shane Thompson and Kevin Wirchowski to work with their players and coaches along with IRB qualified referee Daniel Gana to instruct the first ever level one refereeing course held in Cuba. 

Recently, my mom informed me “It’s time to either throw away those boxes of unused rugby gear and boots in the storage room or it’s going to Big Brothers”. Feeling slightly sentimental about turning over years of playing kit to Big Brothers I thought to myself; “is there anyone who might appreciate this antique rugby gear?". I phoned up Karl Fix, and he suggested that we contact his rugby friend Chukin Chao from Havana (the head of Cuban Rugby). He of course was overjoyed with he fact that the Howlers would again be would be sending some much needed rugby gear their way.

What started out as cleaning some items out of my parents storage room then turned into a worldwide donation campaign! The response to our "Cuban Rugby Gear Campaign" was tremendous. Various rugby apparel, boots and other rugby" stuff " was collected from as far away as England to the local White Rock Bayside Team. Notable donations include; 3 full sets of jerseys from The Oakville Crusaders organized by Peter Kijak; a plethora of kit from Plymouth Albion in the U.K coordinated by Canadian International Tyler Hotson, a full set of new jerseys graciously given by Lionheart Sports orchestrated by Robin MacDowell, and over 100 pairs of children’s rugby boots from the Regina Rogues devised by Dick Cornish .The Howlers also helped to underwrite 240 t-shirts for a youth rugby tournament that Annie Legault from the local Canadian Embassy helped to organize along with Chukin Chao.. This outpouring of support has been fantastic and speaks to the character of rugby players and supporters across Canada. All 343 lbs of rugby gear was shipped to Havana on May 13 2011 in time for the youth tournament that weekend. 

The Howlers would like to express their extreme gratitude to all the folks that so graciously donated to this endeavour which will make a significant difference in the lives of many young Cubans!

The Howlers will be traveling to Havana in December 2011 to along with teams from Cuba ,Mexico, USA, Peru, UK, Argentina and Venezuela compete in the IRB sanctioned Havana Howlers 7s , a tournament that Howlers in conjunction with the Cuban rugby community organize.

- By Chase Sereda

RESPONSE FROM CUBA

Dear friends,  
Cuban rugby community would like to thank the Howlers and all other people involved in this so kind gesture of donating the rugby gear for our kids and t-shirts for our first international school tournament which was were sent last May 13th. This rugby gear is of great help to continue developing rugby in our country and particularly for our kids (girls and boys) who enjoyed very much the tournament held last Saturday May 21st. We are very gratefull for the support, solidarity and friendship received from all of you which give us strength to keep moving forward. Our hearts will be always with you!!!  

Chukin Chao
General Coordinator
Unio Cubana de Rugby

The feature match of the 2011 Edmonton Rugbyfest saw the hometown Gold host the Dog River Howlers in a 15’s match.  The conditions at Ellerslie Rugby Park were ideal; bright sun, dry conditions and no wind to favour either side.

The Howlers featured players from five different provinces and included four (4) players that will soon represent Canada in the 2011 Churchill Cup. The Howlers were lead by the coaching duo of Milan Mrdjenovich and James Buchanan. The Edmonton Gold was lead by playing coach Jeremy Kyne and was selected from local clubs, with a few additions from Calgary clubs.

The Gold opened the scoring early, with flyhalf Mitch John successfully slotting a penalty goal four (4) minutes into the match. The Howlers answered with a scintillating solo effort by flanker Nanyak Dala, touching down under the posts and giving flyhalf Adam Hines a straightforward conversion.

The Gold quickly regrouped and set up camp in the Howlers end, probing the visitors line with charging runs and effective rucking. Wave after wave of attacked was stifled by the Howler defence and Mitch John elected to slot a drop goal.

Howlers centre, Dustin Macpherson, burst through the Gold backline and won a foot race to score a try for the visitors. Hines was unable to convert the try, leaving the Howlers with a 12-6 lead 25 minutes into the match. The Gold answered with a try of their own. Jeremy Kyne drew in three tacklers and neatly off loaded to Gold prop Joe Sproston, who ran in a try between the posts. John converted the try and gave the Gold the lead. John built on the Gold  lead three minutes later as he kicked a penalty goal from short range.

The teams traded trys in the final five (5) minutes of the half. Howlers scrumhalf, Thomas Aponte, burst into the into the Gold goal area from the base of the scrum, touching down under the posts, setting up a routine conversion for Hines. Sprotson rumbled in for his second try of the game at the 40 minute mark. The Gold lead 21 – 19 at the half.

The teams battled for the opening 20 minutes of the second half; sharing possession and entertaining the crowd with great tackling and some great scoring opportunities. Gold centre, Evan Thomas, scored a great try at the 25 minute mark and the conversion attempt by Gold scrumhalf Clay Panga went wide.  The Howlers answered with a try by Centre, Ryan Smith.  Brennan Marcoux had assumed the kicking duties for the Howlers and was unable to convert from a difficult angle.

Undeterred, the Gold pinned the Howlers in their own end. Gold fullback, Trevor McGeough, struck for an uncoverted try 30 minutes into the second half. The Gold quickly extended their lead to 12 points on a penalty goal kicked by winger Hez Awoko. The Howlers quickly regrouped and Pat Gingras sliced through for a try, converted by Marcoux, reducing the Gold lead to five. The Howlers pressured the Gold defence for the final five minutes of the match. The locals were able to hang on for a 36 to 31 victory over the Howlers.

The friendly was a great finish to Rugbyfest. It was an opportunity for players from coast to coast to play at a high level and build some lasting friendships. Hopefully the game will act as a catalyst to reinvigorate the Edmonton Gold program.

May 12,2011

Hello, friends! Finally an long overdue update to you and the other people knowing our story.

The whole month of April and a portion of May has been a time of recuperation from the daily radiation treatments undertaken, plus the three chemo treatments. Just finished the antibiotics for infection in the lower left lung. The end of May go for results to see what is shaking since treatment.

I am forever grateful for Darren Cunningham for being my second set of ears while speaking with the Doctors! I get such a chuckle, first it was the denture, second bifocal and soon it will be the hearing ear club which this woman will be a member of. I just love life and have come to appreciate so many little things in life Karl! The generosity given by people, whom most I don't even know; is so overwhelming that I don't know even where to begin to say "thank you".

I will let you know results at the end of May, plus an update of the grandchildren. Please give my regards to everyone and enjoy the day .

Respectfully,
Emily Thomas-Asiniwasis

***PLEASE REFER TO 1/13/2011 POSTING ON EMILY AND THE PREVIOUS HOWLERS FUNDRAISERS FOR HER AND HER GRANDSON NICOLAS

This original "DOG RVER" acrylic painting on canvas done by Regina's Ladd Fogarty will be done as limited edition Giclée prints on canvas, numbered and signed by the artist. Dog River is the fictional town that CTV's award winning sitcom "Corner Gas" created by Brent Butt was filmed in. The actual name of this prairie town is Rouleau Saskatchewan which with it's population 500 people or so people is situated some 70 kilometres south east of Regina.

This is an actual painting of the town's grain elevator(still standing) and surrounding prairie landscape.

Ladd's art work is highly sought after around Regina because of its quality and the fact that he only does few paintings every year.

To date Brent Butt ( Corner Gas creator who also plays Brent Hebert Leroy) and Lorne Cardinal (Sergeant Davis Quinton) have agree to sign each of the prints on the back. This certainly will add further to it's value of a collector's item.

These 24" by 18.5' prints will be sold on our web page (paypal) or by contacting me at - karl_v_fix@hotmail.com for - $500 (including shipping) along with which the buyer also receives a $450 tax receipt . The money for this endeavour goes towards supporting the Dog River Howlers Rugby Club's many endeavours in supporting worthy causes (many non rugby related) across Canada and around the world. Read more about this on www.dogriverhowlers.com under the "about us " section.

This original 38" by 28" acrylic on canvas painting will be auctioned off at a September 1 Howlers fundraising event in Regina.The limited edition prints will also be available for purchase. More details about this event will follow in due course. We hope to have one of the" Corner Gas" cast members host this event. Half of the proceeds form this event will go towards the Regina Leader Post Christmas Fund which supports four local shelters for abused women and children.

Karl Fix -president of the Dog River Howlers Rugby Club where "it's more than a game, it's a way of life" - www.dogriverhowlers.com and facebook - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid


The Artist:
I am an an Art teacher and a student of art; always exploring new media and processes and watching how young people learn. I am currently working in acrylic, wood, clay, soapstone, and glass gaining most of my inspiration from Saskatchewan land, sky, water and people who live in harmony with earth.
Painting with light has always been my goal when I put brush to canvas, paper, wood or clay. I strive to represent ‘place’ not only as it appears but as the experience is remembered using symbol as well as natural forms.
I have not had the opportunity until this past year to begin exhibiting. I am a juried affiliate member in Visual Art with Saskatchewan Craft Council and have exhibited at the Cumberland Gallery in Regina, Saskatchewan. I have works in many private collections throughout Saskatchewan and Canada.

Ladd Fogarty

The Dog River Howlers Rugby Club have now selected their players, coaches and management team for their game against the Edmonton Gold on May 22 at 1:00 pm at Edmonton's Ellerslie rugby grounds as the feature game for their annual International Rugbyfest. Peter Rushton is the current James Bay AA coach who has led them to not only a number of BC premier provincial championships but also the national club championship while also coaching the Crimson Tide. Assisting Peter will be Milan Mrdjenovich, one of the original Howlers players, an accomplished player in his own right who now is looking to pursue a coaching career. Kevin Blanchette, besides being the Howlers director heading up our club's junior program, has also been the Rugby Canada Super League Commissioner and Wolf Pack CEO. Leo Lane (the Pirate) has coached and managed numerous Saskatchewan representative teams in including the RCSL champion Prairie Fire. Our physio Coleen Penman has not only worked in this capacity for the Howlers on several times but has also plied her professional services for a multitude of other high level rugby and other sports teams. We are also fortune to have as our official photographer Judy Teasdale. If you go on our Howlers face book page picture section you will see some of her great work along with that of her mentor Jose Lagman . An amazing support staff.

Looking at our list of players I feel we have a very interesting mix . This Howlers side made up of players from 6 provinces has a mixture of players who have already worn the "red jersey" and those who still aspire to.

Karl Fix -president of the Dog River Howlers Rugby Club where "it's more than a game, it's a way of life" - www.dogriverhowlers.com



Front Row
1. * # Hubert Buydens (prop)- Saskatoon Wild Oats. Canadian international.
2. Andrew de Goede (hooker and back row) - James Bay AA.
3. Dan Hrycyk (prop and hooker) - James Bay AA .
4. # Scott Franklin (prop) - Victoria Castaway Wanderers. Canadian international.
5. Christian Mounts (prop) - Regina Rogues.

Locks
1.Chris Mercer - Halifax Tars .
2. Jim de Goede - James Bay AA.
3. John Anderson - Calgary Hornets.

Back Row
1. Mike Haycock - Ottawa Irish.
2. Jacob De Goede - James Bay AA. j
3. Josh Campbell - Regina Rogues.
4.Jason Daku - Regina Campion Grads.

Scrum Half
1. Sarel Potieter - Lloydminster Reapers
2. Joe van Heerden - Regina Rogues.

Rest of the backs - play various positions
1. Pat Gigras. Calgary Hornets. #11,13 and 14..
2. * # Ryan Smith - Calgary Irish AA . Canadian international.#12 and 10.
3. Adam Hines - Valley Bulldogs(NS) and Castaway Wanderers.#10, 23, 13 and 15.
4. Hosam Mibarak- Fredericton Loyalists. #10, 12 and 15.
5. Sean Liebich - Ottawa Irish and Queens University #11,12 and 14.
6. Franco Lloyd - Lloydminster Reapers.#12,13 and 15.
7. *Brennan Marcoux - Saskatoon Wild Oats. Can play anywhere except #9.
8. # Brodie Henderson - Edmonton Clan/Bayside. Canadian international #11, 13 and 14.
9. Dustin Mc Pherson - Calgary Hornets.#11, 12 and 14.

Head Coach - Peter Rushton
Assistant coach - * Milan Mrdjenovich
Managers - *Leo Lane & *Kevin Blanchette
Physio - *Colleen Penman
Photographer -*Judy Teasdale

* - perviously has been capped as player for the Howlers or was part of the support management group
# - Canadian capped player

One of the mandates of the Dog River Howlers Rugby Club is to "spread the gospel" about one of the new Olympic sports -- Rugby 7's.That entails exposing the game to the general public. A significant step was taken in that direction last year when the Howlers played the Prairie Fire (based out of Regina) in a 7's game at half time of a Saskatchewan Roughriders' ( www.saskriders.com) home game in front of some 30,000 people on the occasion of their 100 year anniversary celebration (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.401933441253.184058.514726253&l=8eb2246029). Roughrider CEO/President Jim Hopson who's "Green and White" when founded were known as the 'Regina Rugby Club', recognizing that grid iron football's roots are entrenched in that of rugby football helped bring this game to fruition. The Roughrider organization felt it was an overwhelming success and in turn have invited us to hold another game this year on the June 17th game vs the Edmonton Eskimos with hopes of making this an annual event.

In their goal of evolving this into a "local derby" the Howlers have stepped aside for what they hope will become the first "annual" Wolverines (North Saskatchewan) vs Prairie Fire rugby 7's game. This is also their vision for all the CFL stadiums . With the support of Jim Hopson (a honorary Howler - see picture of him with his Howlers jersey on the Howlers Facebook page pictures section) the highly regarded "dean" of Canadian Football League CEO's, the Howlers are hoping to accomplish this. The introductory year like in Regina would be a half time game between the Howlers and a local side which would be hopefully then would be followed up by an annual "grudge match" between local rivals . We are currently negotiating with 2 other CFL teams to alos hold a rugby 7's game in their stadiums this year.
Karl Fix -president of the Dog River Howlers Rugby Club where "it's more than a game, it's a way of life" - www.dogriverhowlers.com

Brad Skene has been named  coach of the Dog River Howlers women's squad.

After Howlers junior men's coach Robin Mc Dowell made the introductions I had a long talk with Brad Skene tonight. He expressed a keen interest in getting involved with the Howlers. Brad currently coaches the U of Vic women's team and one of the most successful girls high school programs in BC -- Cowichan Secondary School (http://communities.canada.com/theprovince/blogs/high_school_hamper/archive/2011/04/14/cowichan-girls-rugby-has-b-c-triple-a-title-on-the-menu.aspx). He has also worked with various women's age group national teams over the years . Brad comes very highly recommend from Shane Thompson our director of coaching ( also former Canadain Senior Men's National 7's coach and current head of the BC Rugby 7's Academy) and other highly respected rugby coaches and players. Brad has also over the years developed an extensive network of fellow Canadian women's coaches from across the country.

From our conversation and his rugby "track record" it is obvious to see that for Brad "it's more than a game, it's away of life". It goes with out saying that he will be a big asset to our organization especially to our upstart Howlers women's program.

Welcome to the the Dog River Howlers Brad !!!

Thanks
Karl Fix