Blues Club Awards

Gary Watson Award:

The Gary Watson award, originally called the club person of the year award was re-named in remembrance of him shortly after he passed away after a club tour to New Zealand in 1977. The award represents the hardest worker in the club. It is not for the best player, but is awarded to a person in the club that has put a lot of work into the club, both on and off the field.

John Biewald Award:

The John Biewald award is given to the active member who displays sportsmanship and dedication to rugby.

Doug McDonald Award: (Men's 1st XV MVP)

Doug McDonald was not a founding member of the BBRFC, but rather THE founding member of the Bytown Blues. After a lengthy departure from the game due to professional commitments throughout the eighties, he returned to coach the Blues and the EORU Senior Men's squad in the early nineties, leading the EORU on their first ever tour abroad - Europe 1994. Many Blues were selected for that tour and the team's record was two wins from three games against Holland, Llanelli and Rugby Lions. We lost Doug a few short years later. The Doug McDonald Award is a memorial award presented to the First Team's Most Valuable Player.

John Russell Award:

Presented to the club player who represents the club at the highest level of representative rugby in the current year.

Player Awards (Senior Men):

• 2nd XV MVP

• 3rd XV MVP

• Most Improved Player

• New senior men's member of the year

• Rookie to men's

The Bytown Blues were founded on October 31, 1971 when members of the Ottawa Indians RFC felt the need for a new club. On that Hallowe’en night, seven members were present to form the Bytown Blues Rugby Football Club. At the time of the meeting, it was decided that Doug McDonald would become the interim chairman until a general meeting could be held in the upcoming months. The first annual general meeting was held in Febuary of 1972, at which time McDonald was chosen president of the club. He held this position for the first five years of the club.

In the early years of the club, the Blues played their games within the Quebec Rugby Union. The 1st XV struggled in those first couple seasons, with the first league victory coming at the end of the 1973 season against Deep River by a score of 20-3. The 2nd XV began play with a winning record in their first season, 5 wins against 3 losses. The highlight of their campaign was a 62-10 victory over the Ottawa Irish 2nd XV. The Bytown Blues 3rd XV began play in the 1980 season. The squad were undefeated in league play for the year, with their only loss coming in an exhibition match.

Notable Tours

• 1974 – United Kingdom
• 1977 – New Zealand
• 1981 – United Kingdom
• 1985 – Kenya

Life Members

The following is the list of Life Members as of 2014

When I first starting playing for the Blues in 1979, I had just finished grade 11, playing rugby at Ridgemont High School. We did not have a junior program, I played 3rds. At practice and at games I introduced myself as Boggy's little brother. My first game at Twin Elm, I stepped into the Blues change room, a wee bit timid and shy. If you can believe it I was actually quiet.

As I walked into the room, John Russell, probably in his 50s, is lying stretched out, ala Burt Reynolds, a wry smile, a cigarette in one hand, his knee bandaged up for support and the alluring aroma of A535 wafting through the room. After the game, I walk back in and the only difference for John was a bit more dirt on him, a wobbly pop in his hand and a wry smile for a job well done!

Welcome to the Blues!

2022 season

Blues Minor and Junior Rugby

As we return from our COVID restrictions from the last two years we are hoping to run a more normal rugby season for 2022. However, not all of the EORU based clubs will be in as strong as a position as the Blues, we will work with everyone to get rugby back to normal, and we thank you for your loyalty to our club. Our minors will be returning for U6 to U10 flag rugby and U12 introduction to contact rugby.

Blues Junior Boys Rugby

Even with COVID restrictions, our junior boys numbers were solid last year at U16 and U18, with many U18s training with the senior men to prepare for their university/college season last fall. We look to have a strong and fun bunch of U14 to U18 junior boys out this summer.

Blues Junior & Senior Girls Rugby

Our numbers were growing before COVID hit, and we hope to return top those growing numbers at U14 to U18, including some senior women to train with our U18s this summer. All clubs in EORU at the senior women's level will be playing in EORU, so our senior women can train together with our U18s and play as a combined EORU side, with the Ospreys, Lanark, Wolves to form an independent side.

Blues Senior Men's Rugby

The senior men are back in the LPR Super League for 2022. For this season, the SL will be club v club format, no team will be travelling with two sides, so our 1sts will play in Super League, with our 2nds playing in the EORU Division 1 or 2 (depending upon the numbers and strength). The other EORU clubs are rebuilding and hopefully we can grow the game locally and bring quality rugby back to Ottawa.

Blues Classics (aka Old Boys, over 35s)

Still in the planning stages; I believe the best scenario for the future, at the moment, is to arrange two friendlies and participate in the Fall brawl.

Excited for 2022, Advance!

Jim Shaw
Bytown Blues RFC - President

Home to the Blues since it was built, Twin Elm Rugby Park hosts all of our home games throughout the year. With five rugby fields, 12 changing rooms, two lounges, a bar and spectator seating for hundreds of people, Twin Elm is a unique sports facility. This great facility is home to several local clubs and the representative sides for Eastern Ontario.

Location:

4075 Twin Elm Road, Nepean, ON, K0A 2Z0 website