Article posted on Dog River Howlers Rugby Club's facebook page  - www.facebook.com/dogriverhowlers.  To see all the pictures please go to - www.facebook.com/karl.fix article

On November 10, 1993 Canada's national rugby team defeated Wales 26 - 24 in front of 27,000 shocked Welsh supporters at the historic Cardiff Arms Park.

Eight penalties from centre Neil Jenkins saw the home side 24-19 ahead as the game went into the dying seconds.

In a final, desperate attack, Steve Gray salvaged a ball heading into touch and passed it to Al Charron, Canadian rugby's most-capped player and perhaps its greatest servant. The lock crashed over, leaving a tricky conversion for Rees.

Fly-half Gareth Rees , who had enjoyed a superb game, was on the point of joining Newport, but showed no mixed emotions as he delivered the killer blow.

Captain Ian Stuart scored Canada's other try. 

as posted on - www.facebook.com/dogriverhowlers
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Howlers Nanyak Dala, Sean Ferguson, Mike Fuailefau, Lucas Hammond, Pat Kay, and Pat Kay have been selected for the 12-man roster for the first leg of the 2013-2014 IRB Sevens World Series in Australia on October 12-13. Making their first appearances on the World Series Circuit will be Pat Parfrey and Pat Kay.

Canada will depart for the Gold Coast of Australia on October 4th and will face Fiji, Wales and Portugal in Pool C on Day One.

Congratulations and all the best to these Howlers and the entire team. Oh Canada and Howuuuuuuuuuuuuuu !!

Connor Braid, James Bay AA, Victoria
H - Nanyak Dala, Castaway Wanderers, Saskatoon; 
Justin Douglas, Abbotsford RFC, Abbotsford, B.C.;
H - Sean Ferguson, UBC Thunderbirds, Vancouver
H - Mike Fuailefau, Castaway Wanderers, Victoria; 
H - Lucas Hammond, Toronto Nomads, Toronto; 
Ciaran Hearn,Castaway Wanderers,Conception Bay South, N.L
Nathan Hirayama (capt.), UVic Vikes, Vancouver
Harry Jones, Capilano RFC, North Vancouver; 
H - Pat Kay, UVic Vikes, Duncan, B.C.;
John Moonlight, James Bay AA, Pickering, Ont.;
H - Pat Parfrey, Swilers RFC, St. Johns, N.L.

Canadian Rugby Caps And Scoring vs The Number Of International Games Played - as posted on www.facebook.com/dogriverhowlers
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Looking at these statistics It becomes apparent why for the most part the Canadian leaders in the number of caps earned and scoring played their rugby for our country in the last 2 decades.

Most Caps : Number - Time Span - How Many Were Starts
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1. Al Charron - 76 - 1990-2003 (13 years) - 76
2. Winston Stanley - 66 - 1994-2003 (9 years) - 64
3. Scott Stewart - 64 - 1989-2001 (12 years) - 62 
4. Rod Snow - 62 - 1995-2007 (12 years) - 59
5. Bobby Ross - 58 - 1989-2003 (14 years) - 40
6. Ed Fairhurst - 57 - 2001-2012 (11 years) - 35
7. Mike James - 56 - 1994-2007(13 years) - 56
7. Morgan Williams - 56 - 1999-2008 (9 years) - 52
9. Gareth Rees - 55 - 1986-1999 (13 years) - 54
9. Kevin Tkachuk - 55 -2000-2010 ( 10 years) - 39

Most Games As Captain - Number - Number Won 
-----------------------------------------
1. Al Charron - 25 - 13
2. Gareth Rees - 25 - 10
3. Pat Riordan - 23 - 12
4. John Graf - 15 - 9
4. Morgan Williams - 15 - 5
5. Aaron carpenter - 11 - 7
6. Mark Wyatt - 9 - 6
7. Hans de Goede - 8 - 4
7. Mike Luke - 8 - 3

Most points : Number Of Points - Games Played
-----------------------------------------
1. James Pritchard - 522 - 52
2. Gareth Rees - 491 - 55
3. Bobby Ross - 419 - 58
4. Mark Wyatt - 227 - 29
5. Jared Barker - 226 - 18
6. Winston Stanley - 123 - 66
7. John Graf - 89 - 54
8. Scott Stewart - 84 - 64
9. DTH van der Merwe - 70- 25
10. Morgan Williams - 68 - 56

Most Tries : Number - Number Of Games Played
------------------------------------------
1. Winston Stanley - 24 - 66
2. James Pritchard - 15 - 52
3. DTH van der Merwe -14 - 24
4. Morgan Williams - 13 - 56
5. Aaron Carpenter - 10 - 51
5. Kyle Nichols - 10 - 25 
7. Al Charron - 9 - 76 
7. John Graf - 9 - 54
7. Pat Palmer - 9 - 17
7. Ryan Smith - 9 - 51

Number Of International Test Matches Played Each Year
------------------------------------------------
1932 - 2
1962 - 2
1966 - 1
1967 - 1
1970 - 1
1971 - 1
1973 - 1
1974 - 1
1976 - 1
1997 - 3 (first ever international win - which was the USA)
1978 - 2
1979 - 2
1980 - 3
1981 - 2
1982 - 4
1983 - 4
1985 - 3
1986 - 2
1987 - 5 (including 3 in the first RWC)
1988 - 1 
1989 - 2
1990 - 3
1991 - 7 ( including 4 in the RWC)
1992 - 2
1993 - 5
1994 - 5
1995 - 9 (including 3 in the RWC)
1996 - 10
1997 - 8
1998 - 9
1999 - 10 (including 3 in the RWC)
2000 - 8
2001 - 7
2002 - 10
2003 - 12 (including 4 in the RWC)
2004 - 7
2005 - 8
2006 - 7
2007 - 10 (including 4 in the RWC)
2008 - 8
2009 - 11
2010 - 7
2011 - 11 (including 4 at the RWC)
2012 - 6
2013 - there will be 11

By Vikes Communications

VICTORIA - The University of Victoria Vikes are proud to announce the addition of the Howlers Rugby Award, donated by the board members and supporters of the Saskatchewan-based Dog River Howlers Rugby Club. The endowed award is designed to provide funding for Canadian Indigenous student-athletes in the Vikes men's and women's rugby programs who demonstrate an enthusiasm for academics, rugby, and community involvement. This Indigenous-specific award is the first of its kind in the Vikes athletics program. 

DOG RIVER HOWLERS: WEBSITE - www.dogriverhowlers.com / FACEBOOK -www.facebook.com/dogriverhowlers

"Unquestionably the University of Victoria has a one of the most respected rugby programs in North America along with being a leading academic institution from which the Howlers have drawn numerous players, both men and women," said Karl Fix, Dog River Howlers RFC's founder. "The Howlers are indeed proud and honoured to be associated with the Vikes in this endeavour."

One of the Howlers aims is to connect people worldwide, using rugby as its bridge. The Howlers travel worldwide throughout the year, playing rugby and experiencing various cultures during that time abroad. 

"Rugby should be part of an overall educational experience," added Fix. "The learning experiences of being a part of a rugby team and community can help people learn to cope with the successes and failures they will have to deal with in their lives. Hence our club's mantra - 'it's more than a game, it's a way of life' which was again further demonstrated by the generous financial support given by our club's board of directors and supporters for this most worthwhile project." 

Mike Holmes is one of those supporters and has played an integral role as a key fundraiser for the Howlers Rugby Award. 

"The UVic rugby program is the best university program in the country and probably the Americas," echoed Holmes. "Doug Tate [Vikes men's rugby head coach] is an inspiration to the sport of rugby, the players and the coaches everywhere." 

Holmes also shares the view that rugby is much more than just a game played on a field. 

"It is about brotherhood and sisterhood and the elimination of barriers across race, class, and even ability as it caters to all shapes and sizes," says Holmes. "Further, it demands the recognition, respect and friendship not only with your own teammates but with your opponents. It makes one humble and appreciative of both one's abilities and one's limitations." 

Since their inaugural season in 2007 the Dog River Howlers have raised over $600,000 for various organizations and causes. Examples of these organizations include Canada's men's and women's national rugby teams, Cuban Rwandan and Afghanistan rugby, shelters for abused women and children, a wheelchair-accessible van for a quadriplegic rugby player and cancer patients, among others. Fix sees the newly established Howlers Rugby Award in the Vikes program as a new way to acknowledge and motivate Indigenous student-athletes who combine athletic excellence, academics and community involvement. 

The creation of the Howler's Award was in response to a challenge put out to Vikes Rugby alumni and supporters to take advantage of a generous matching opportunity that is a component of the campaign for the Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA). For a limited time any new endowed athletic awards are being matched, thanks to a generous anonymous donation to CARSA. To date, there have been $55,000 pledged to the Howler's award, which when matched will establish a $110,000 endowment for Indigenous rugby players at UVic. 

"This is exactly the kind of initiative that our donor envisioned in challenging our many Vikes supporters," said Clint Hamilton, director of Vikes Athletics and Recreation. "The Dog River Howlers Rugby Club's board members and supporters commitment to establishing the HOWLERS AWARD is a wonderful example of the power of our CARSA project and the catalyst that it is in building a strong future for the University of Victoria and we are grateful for this tremendous support." 

For more information on athletic awards, please contact Teri Kerr, Athletics Alumni and Annual Giving Officer.

For more information on CARSA visit: uvic.ca/carsa

Ali Lee
Communications Officer
Vikes Athletics & Recreation | Division of Student Affairs | University of Victoria
183 McKinnon | PO Box 1700 STN CSC | Victoria BC V8W 2Y2
c. 250-686-5000 | w. 250-721-8410 | e. v/ FACEBOOK

Howlers" Back To The Future " - AL CHARRON (the most capped player in Canadian 15 Men's Rugby History (76 all of which he was in the starting lineup , something that has never been accomplished) 
This is the 10th in a series featuring Canada's ex international rugby players. Please join the Dog River Howlers page to see all of them - www.facebook.com/dogriverhowlers
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Name:
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Alan John Charron

Caps: 
----
76 caps with Canada from 1990 to 2003 (was slated for 1st cap in 1989 against Ireland but screwed up my ankle and thus withdrew on eve of squad assembly)
4 Rugby World Cups as a player 1991, 1995,1999,2003 ) (one as part of the management team RWC 2007), inaugural Rugby World Cup of 7's 1993) Hong Kong 7's ( 2 or 3 times?) ? 7's caps.

Nicknames: 
---------
Blade, Big Al, Allah, Barbarian, Alistair, Alphonse, Stretch, My Charrona, Johnny, AC, Loch Charron

Born : 
-----
Ottawa, Ontario July 27th 1966

Early rugby : 
----------
Hillcrest High School, Ottawa.

University : Carleton University (played only one match for Carleton- a mid week game due to the fact all other games clashed with Ontario club matches )
Club : Ottawa Irish
Rep sides: Eastern Ontario, Ontario,
Age grade: never played for area, province or country at age grade.

Later rugby : 
----------
Clubs - Ottawa Irish, Professionally: Moseley (Birmingham, UK), Bristol (UK), Pau (France), Dax (France)
Select sides:, Louisiana Exiles, Eastern Ontario, Ontario, North American Wolverines, Canada Rangers (7's- Early Howler concept team in which Karl Fix was part of set up), British Barbarians (5 times), World 15 versus Argentina (celebrate their centenary)

Your Influences: 
-------------
Without question the Ottawa Irish and the players I watched and played alongside in training and in games. Fantastic players and guys both on and off the field. They played an open style that was fun and entertaining to be a part of and taught me so much. Too many people to mention but they know who they are and their influence on my career. Other influences were my father (wanted nothing more than to make him proud) and the older and bigger kids in my neighbourhood where I grew up. I was a young skinny short kid who was allowed to play ball hockey, baseball, full on contact football without equipment if I could keep up. I loved nothing better than to keep pace with the older, bigger athletic kids which forced me to work hard from start to finish in order to hold my own. When I finally grew at age 17 I kept the same mentality about working hard and smashing people with a small man's chip on his shoulder but now with the added bonus of a having a growing bigger frame to do it.
One of the biggest influences as I got older which I used as motivation was anyone who I perceived to doubt me or questioned my place on a team as I would love to do nothing better than prove them wrong and show my worth to the team by my play on the field.

Most memorable rugby game(s)/experience(s)/memories:
------------------------------------------------- 
So many at the club level which I cherish. Winning the National inter branch championship with Eastern Ontario against a Crimson Tide side loaded with current, past and future Canadian National team members. At the Provincial level to finally win National Championship over BC with Ontario after years of getting smashed and to do it alongside club mates and good friends made it special and to do it two years in a row. Canada beating England in BC 1993 ,Wales in Cardiff in 1993, France in Ottawa 1994, Scotland in Vancouver 2002 as captain, beating the Springboks at Lansdowne Road with the British Barbarians in 1994. Four Rugby World Cups as a player with RWC 1991 and 1995 being the most memorable and special . Winning my first cap against Argentina in 1990 and in my last against Tonga in RWC 2003 all in Canadian victories (albeit having left on a stretcher before the final whistle in both matches!)
Best reoccurring memory is without question the distinct honour of representing my country while wearing that Maple Leaf jersey and standing on guard to sing and listen to the Canadian National anthem with your mates. To this day it still gives me goose bumps. I also loved the feeling of joy and satisfaction of having sacrificed so much to play for Canada and to be in the dressing room after a win and then out later that night with your teammates, coaches and staff to celebrate. Man the beer tasted that much colder and sweeter. Great times and memories of fantastic times and friends for life.

How did rugby effect/influence your life: 
----------------------------------
The bigger question might be how has it not. For a sport I had never heard about before attending high school it has been a major influence of who I am today. A day has not gone by in the last 30 years that rugby does figure in it in some shape or form. Though I may have some aches and pains to this day from playing the game (who doesn't?) but I owe so much more to the sport then it owes me. I have not held a job since I was 20 years old that I did not secure due to a rugby connection. Also the majority of my friends and contacts stem from playing rugby, I have had the good fortune to have travelled to over 25 countries and many multiple times, lived for close to 6 years overseas playing rugby professionally . To have met dignitaries, royalty, stars from all walks of life and by consequence ironically become a 'z' list celebrity myself to the point people want my autograph and have their picture taken with me!! Humbling without question. Of course the biggest effect and influence was the chance , to represent ,play and captain my country here in Canada as well as around the world.

Current involvement in rugby: 
-------------------------
Since I retired from international rugby I have had my hand involved in rugby in some small or big way. I assist when work and family time allowed in a variety of rugby asks in the community over the last ten years. Happy to speak at various rugby and fundraising functions, pass on opinions, advice via internet columns, e-mail requests and social media. Since 2012 doing work with our Canadians alumni and now as of January 2013 I am now in a paid position working for Rugby Canada in a fund raising capacity along with Tom Woods and Gareth Rees to generate much needed funds to allow as best as possible our current senior members of our national men's and women teams to be the best that they can be when representing our country .

What are you doing now (residence, work, family etc): 
--------------------------------------------
I live in a beautiful house in a great neighbourhood in Ottawa with my lovely wife of 20 years Annette and my pride and joy nine year old son Rylan. Other than living overseas for close to 6 years I have lived in 5 different places all within 5 minutes of each other in the same area in Ottawa close to family and friends.

Input/suggestions for Canadian rugby and or young players:
--------------------------------------------------
It doesn't matter what level you play at , give it your 100% in everything you do in training and playing in the match. Rugby is a great sport and it is much more enjoyable when you are fit and mentally prepared . You should play every game you get chosen to play in to the very best of your ability with 100% commitment as pay back to the coach and selectors in actually selecting you to play. Train and Play in a manner that proves them correct. If you are not getting picked, then don't cop a bad attitude but train even harder and longer,- be a good teammate and be outstanding in everything you do and make it so hard for them not to consider you for selection in the future . Nothing better than proving people right or proving people wrong- but it comes down to you. Train like everyone is watching even when they are not and play as if everyone is seeing you for the first time..even if they are not. Make the most of your opportunity- the door is held ajar only for so long before you need to open it completely and walk/run through i

-----------------------------------------
Howlers Elissa Alarie, Emily Belchos, Arielle Dubissette-Borrice, Nanyak Dala, Mike Fuailefau, Lucas Hammond, Pat Kay and Adam Kleeberger as part of this Sport Canada's AAP program will be based out of Langford’s Canadian Rugby Centre of Excellence and Canadian Sport Centre Pacific, Canada’s full-time training environment includes: technical and tactical support through world-class coaching, nutritional support including breakfast and lunch most training days, medical and strength and conditioning support, video analysis and sport psychology. 

The centralized athletes are allocated Sport Canada AAP cards, whereby each carded player receives financial support to enable them to commit to the daily training environment necessary for them to be competitive on the world stage. Carded players will also receive tuition support to attend post-secondary education throughout the year or after their rugby careers have finished.

Congratulations and all the best to them and all the other athletes chosen for this honor.

Rugby Canada’s Sport Athlete Assistance Program Carded Athletes:

National Senior Women’s Program

H - Elissa Alarie, (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Club) Trois-Rivieres, QC
H - Emily Belchos, (Markham Irish RFC) Barrie, ON
Nikki Case, (York Lions) Toronto, ON
Hannah Darling, (Peterborough Pagans RFC) Warsaw, ON
Jessica Dovanne, (Velox RFC) Victoria, BC
H - Arielle Dubissette-Borrice, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Toronto, ON 
Bianca Farella, (Town of Mount Royal RFC) Montreal, QC 
Paige Farries, (Druid RFC) Red Deer, AB
Megan Gibbs, (Markham Irish RFC) Barrie, ON
Julia Greenshields, (Sarnia Saints) Sarnia, ON
Magali Harvey, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC 
Sara Kaljuvee, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Pickering, ON
Jennifer Kish, (Edmonton Rockers RFC) Edmonton, AB (Captain)
Ghislaine Landry, (Toronto Scottish RFC) Toronto, ON
Mandy Marchak, (Capilano RFC) Winnipeg, MB
Kayla Moleschi, (Williams Lake Rustlers) Williams Lake, BC 
Jess Neilson, (Uvic Vikes) Vancouver, BC
Karen Paquin, (Club de Rugby Quebec) Quebec City, QC
Nadia Popov, (Aurora Barbarians) Newmarket, ON
Frederique Rajotte, (Markam Irish RFC) Markham, ON
Kelly Russell, (Toronto Nomads) Bolton, ON
Ashley Steacy, (Lethbridge Rugby Club) Lethbridge, AB
Brittany Waters, (Meraloma Athletic Club) Vancouver, BC
Charity Williams, (Markam Irish RFC) Toronto, ON

National Senior Men’s Program

Connor Braid, (Doncaster Knights/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
H- Nanyak Dala, (Castaway Wanderers RFC/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
Justin Douglas, (Abbotsford RFC) Abbotsford, BC
Sean Duke, (Uvic Vikes/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
H - Mike Fuailefau, (Castaway Wanderers/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
H - Lucas Hammond, (Castaway Wanderers/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON
Ciaran Hearn, (Castaway Wanderers/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay, NL
Nathan Hirayama, (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Richmond, BC
Harry Jones, (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) West Vancouver, BC
H - Pat Kay, (Cowichan RFC/BC Bears) Duncan, BC
H - Adam Kleeberger, (University of Victoria/BC Bears) White Rock, BC
Phil Mack, (Uvic Vikes/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
John Moonlight, (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
Mike Scholz, (Castaway Wanderers/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
Jack Smith, (Peterborough RFC) Peterborough, ON
Conor Trainor, (Western University) Vancouver, BC
Jake Webster, (Lindsay RFC/Ontario Blues) Lindsay, ON
Sean White, (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC