Burnaby Lake Rugby Club is becoming a spawning ground for players of the year.
Last week, B.C. Rugby named two Burnaby Lake club members Joe Dolesau and Julia Sugawara as the 2013 premier players of the year – the first time in the association’s history that recipients have come from a single club.
For Sugawara, it was her second such player of the year recognition – the first was in 2006 – and the third for a Burnaby Lake woman.
For Dolesau, it was his first and second for a club player. Pat Riordan earned player of the year in 2003, while Anna Schnell was the women’s recipient in 2010.
“It speaks to the all-inclusive nature of our club,” said Burnaby Lake director of rugby Simon Smolden. “I believe we are the only club that has had a women’s team from Day 1.”
The results show, with Burnaby Lake women winning the Gordon Harris Memorial Cup six of the last 11 seasons, including last year.
Smolden attributes much of the success of the women’s program to Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame coach Walt Brandl and players like Sugawara, who have taken an active part both on and off the pitch.
“It speaks volumes for our program. We’re about developing a pathway for young people and club rugby for everybody,” Smolden added. “Julia and Joe realize they couldn’t have done it without people to practise against.”
Julia called the honour “a big surprise.”
The Burnaby Lake scrumhalf has earned 25 caps with the national team, which she has represented for much of her playing career, including 10 years on the senior team and at the age-grade level before that.
Her goal is to lead Canada to the 2014 World Cup next year, but there is also a continued focus on building the club women’s program.
“We have a culture of excellence (at Burnaby Lake). It’s not about just winning games, it’s about the process and improving,” said Sugawara. “A lot of it comes from a really supportive coaching staff.”
Still more comes from veteran players like Sugawara, who bring the knowledge of what it takes to build a winner to the field.
“I guess, I just kind of take the success of our team personally,” she added.
While Sugawara is working her way back to the World Cup, Dolesau is hoping to one day get his first call-up to the senior national team.
The Fijian-born all-purpose back played for Canada A in last summer’s Americas Rugby Championships against Canada East and the United States after he was recognized in 2011 as the Canadian Rugby Championship co-player of the year.
But while the careers of Sugawara and Dolesau differ, their commitment to the game is not, said Smolden.
“They are the same. They’re at practice all the time. They are honing their talent all the time. When there is a pickup game, they are there, all the time,” Smolden said.
“(Joe) just wants that one (cap). It’s a reflective honour for the club – that’s the top of the pyramid – but we’re pushing to increase the base and challenge that Rugby Canada team in Victoria.”
