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Ajax Wanderers Rugby Club
Ajax Wanderers Rugby Club
Ajax Wanderers Rugby Club - About Us
Ajax Wanderers Rugby Club - About Us
Ajax Wanderers Rugby Club - About Us

Ajax Wanderers Rugby Club

A Brief History: 75 Years of Rugby

The Ajax Wanderers Rugby Club can lay claim to being the founding club for rugby in post-war Ontario.

Started by a group of English immigrants who missed their favourite sport from back home in 1949, the club originally had no similar opposition to compete against. The early years saw games against the University of Toronto and McGill University. The Toronto Nomads, Aurora Barbarians, Irish Canadians and to a lesser extent the Brantford Harlequins all owe their existence to those early Wanderers.

Once a league was in place Wanderers became immediately successful winning several provincial championships in the late 1950s. The club also began a tradition of touring that continues to this day. Going on tour and hosting teams is one of the finest traditions in rugby and the sport provides an opportunity like no other for players to travel the world as a team or as individuals.

Over the years Wanderers have toured extensively within Canada, the United States, Great Britain and even an occasional trip to the continent. The club has also hosted teams from all over the world. Developing players to play on the provincial, national and international stage has always been a priority and the Wanderers have provided players to the Canadian national team almost from its beginnings with John Ackerly representing his country in 1971.

That tradition has continued through the years with the likes of Scott Mackinnon, David Moonlight, who was a long time captain of the Canadian National 7s team and most recently John Moonlight who also captained Canada in the National 7s program and played for the Toronto Arrows in the MLR.

Wanderers have also welcomed players from around the globe to play with the club as they travel or on an exchange basis.

Ajax Wanderers is a dynamic and growing club and not all of the clubs success is buried in the past. The club last won the Ontario Senior Men’s championship in 1998, a decade which also saw the women’s team as the dominant force in the province with a large contingent moving up to play for the women’s national team. Although the club suffered two relegations after that provincial championship, the Wanderers won the TRU Men’s title in 2004, 2006, and 2009 as well as the TRU Men’s 2nd XV title in 2007.

Ajax Wanderers: Today

The Ajax Wanderers Rugby Club actively promotes the game of rugby and its values and traditions that stress team play, pride in oneself and the community and a healthy life style through the development of lifelong social, emotional and physical skills. The Ajax Wanderers Rugby Club provides opportunities and programs for youth, regardless of age, gender or economic hardship, to participate in safe, organized and competitive rugby at the community, provincial and national levels.

Any and all levels of players are welcome at the Wanderers club. The current program includes teams in the following age groups:

Visit our Teams page to register yourself or your child.

Belief in the Spirit of the Game: Fair play and the Wanderers Code of Ethics.

There are many different choices if a person is inclined to be of a sporting nature. One usually makes their choice based on what friend’s do, what is locally available or on family traditions. In Canada, rugby is not as mainstream as hockey or football, but it does provide a unique portal for the Canadian sportsman.

Whether a full International, a muddy schoolyard, or on a beach for a game of touch, rugby is played for the sheer love of the game by passionate people. At the Wanderers club, members are encouraged to adhere to a code of ethics that include the following guidelines:

Club Achievements

  • 2018 – Marshall Championship 1st Division East Champions
  • 2014 – Marshall Championship 2nd Division Champions
  • 2012 – Marshall Provincial 2nd Division Champions
  • 2012 – Marshall Provincial 1st Division Champions
  • 2011 – TRU A1 Men’s League Champions
  • 2009 – TRU A1 Men’s League Champions
  • 2007 – TRU A2 Men’s Division Champions
  • 2006 – TRU Men’s Champions
  • 1998 – McCormick Cup Winners
  • 1996 – Voted club of the year by Toronto Referees Society
  • 1996 – ORU Women’s Champions (undefeated all season)
  • 1995 – ORU Women’s Champions (undefeated all season)
  • 1995 – TRU 3rds Champions
  • 1994 – TRU 3rds Champions
  • 1994 – TRU Champions
  • 1990 – Ontario 7’s winners (over 35s)
  • 1989 – Ontario 7’s winners (over 35s)
  • 1987 – Ontario 7’s winners (over 35s)
  • 1985 – Ontario 7’s winners (over 35s)
  • 1984 – Ontario Summer Games Gold Medal
  • 1974 – Ontario Summer Games Gold Medal
  • 1968 – Ontario 7’s winners
  • 1968 – Windsor 7’s winners
  • 1967 – Quebec 7’s winners
  • 1957 – Ontario champions

Member Achievements

  • 2001 – Rick Powers – ORU President
  • 2000 – Rick Powers – ORU President
  • 1999 – Rick Powers – ORU President
  • 1966 – Jimmy Hamilton – ORU President
  • 1958 – Ian Walker – ORU Director
  • 1950 – Lionel Frost – First ORU President

Canadian Players

2010's

  • John Moonlight (Sr. Men)
  • John Stewart (Jr. Men)
  • Liam McLaughlin (Jr. Men)
  • Ben Mowbray (Jr. Men)
  • Cam Davies (Jr. Men)

2000's

  • David Moonlight (Sr. Men)
  • Adam Vanstavern (Sr. Men)
  • Josh Connor (Jr. Men)
  • John Moonlight (Jr. Men)
  • Kyle Armstrong (Jr. Men)
  • Courtney Mendez (Jr. Men)
  • Jake Morrison (Jr. Men)

1990's

  • Karl Svoboda (Sr. Men)
  • Kevin Morgan (Sr. Men)
  • Adam Marshall (Sr. Men)
  • Scott Mackinnon (Sr. Men)
  • Kyle Nicholls (Sr. Men)
  • Brian McCarthy (Sr. Men)
  • Adam Marshall (Jr. Men)
  • Brendan Traynor (Jr. Men)
  • Kyle Nicholls (Jr. Men)
  • Glen Miller (Jr. Men)
  • Nick Griffiths (Jr. Men)
  • Ryan Bennett (Jr. Men)
  • Adam Vanstavern (Jr. Men)
  • David Moonlight (Jr. Men)
  • Eric Cuzzolino (Jr. Men)

1990's

  • Sandra Mueller (Sr. Women)
  • Annette Shiels (Sr. Women)
  • Joanne Gardner (Sr. Women)
  • Ginna Minutillo (Sr. Women)
  • Moira Shiels (Sr. Women)
  • Natascha Wesch (Sr. Women)
  • Laurie Lundy (Sr. Women)
  • Nina Orescanin (Sr. Women)
  • Janet Burrell (Sr. Women)
  • Lee Fairclough (Sr. Women)
  • Sarah Hall (Sr. Women)
  • Tara Trussell (Sr. Women)
  • Helen Kaira (Sr. Women)
  • Jen Ross (Sr. Women)
  • Helen Russell (Sr. Women)
  • Sue Asprey (Sr. Women)
  • Ann Marie Flemin (Sr. Women)

1980's

  • Karl Svoboda (Sr. Men)
  • Spencer Robinson (Sr. Men)
  • Spencer Robinson (Jr. Men)
  • Mitch Turner (Jr. Men)
  • Kevin Morgan (Jr. Men)

1970's

  • John Ackery (Sr. Men)

1960's

  • Mike Gilhespy (Sr. Men)
  • Robert Wilson (Sr. Men)
  • John Ackery (Sr. Men)

Past Club Presidents

  • 2021 – Stew Dobbs
  • 2020 – Stew Dobbs
  • 2019 – Stew Dobbs
  • 2018 – Stew Dobbs
  • 2017 – Stew Dobbs
  • 2016 – Skip Crosby
  • 2015 – Skip Crosby
  • 2014 – Skip Crosby
  • 2013 – Jeff Mallett
  • 2012 – Jeff Mallett
  • 2011 – Jeff Mallett
  • 2010 – Jeff Mallett
  • 2009 – Jeff Mallett
  • 2008 – Jeff Mallett
  • 2007 – Richard Black
  • 2006 – Richard Black
  • 2005 – Paul Don
  • 2004 – Ron Moss
  • 2003 – Ron Moss
  • 2002 – Ron Moss
  • 2001 – Ron Moss
  • 2000 – Terry Hale
  • 1999 – Rick Powers
  • 1998 – Rick Powers
  • 1997 – Rick Powers
  • 1996 – Rick Powers
  • 1995 – Rick Powers
  • 1994 – Sandy Smith
  • 1993 – Sandy Smith
  • 1992 – Hugh Mowbray
  • 1991 – Hugh Mowbray
  • 1990 – Mac Mitchell
  • 1989 – Neil Miskell
  • 1988 – Neil Miskell
  • 1987 – David Loucks
  • 1986 – David Loucks
  • 1985 – Richard Black
  • 1984 – Steve Burgess
  • 1983 – Steve Burgess
  • 1982 – Richard Black
  • 1981 – Richard Black
  • 1980 – Terry Hale
  • 1979 – Terry Hale
  • 1978 – Norm Campbell
  • 1977 – Norm Campbell
  • 1976 – Norm Campbell
  • 1975 – Mike Gilhespy
  • 1974 – Geoff Church
  • 1973 – Geoff Church
  • 1972 – Mike Gilhespy
  • 1971 – Mike Gilhespy
  • 1970 – Mike Gilhespy
  • 1969 – Art Fowler
  • 1968 – Art Fowler
  • 1967 – Dave Owen
  • 1966 – Art Fowler
  • 1965 – Art Fowler
  • 1964 – Art Fowler
  • 1963 – Art Fowler
  • 1962 – Art Fowler
  • 1961 – Alex Copeland
  • 1960 – Ray Tredgett
  • 1959 – Gordon Beckerleg
  • 1958 – Tony Last
  • 1957 – Tony Last
  • 1956 – Tony Last
  • 1955 – Harry Jackson
  • 1954 – Harry Jackson
  • 1953 – Giff Calvert
  • 1952 – Giff Calvert
  • 1951 – Jimmy Niven
  • 1950 – Lionel Frost

Past Club Presidents

  • 2019 – Stew Dobbs
  • 2018 – Stew Dobbs
  • 2017 – Stew Dobbs
  • 2016 – Skip Crosby
  • 2015 – Skip Crosby
  • 2014 – Skip Crosby
  • 2013 – Jeff Mallett
  • 2012 – Jeff Mallett
  • 2011 – Jeff Mallett
  • 2010 – Jeff Mallett
  • 2009 – Jeff Mallett
  • 2008 – Jeff Mallett
  • 2007 – Richard Black
  • 2006 – Richard Black
  • 2005 – Paul Don
  • 2004 – Ron Moss
  • 2003 – Ron Moss
  • 2002 – Ron Moss
  • 2001 – Ron Moss
  • 2000 – Terry Hale
  • 1999 – Rick Powers
  • 1998 – Rick Powers
  • 1997 – Rick Powers
  • 1996 – Rick Powers
  • 1995 – Rick Powers
  • 1994 – Sandy Smith
  • 1993 – Sandy Smith
  • 1992 – Hugh Mowbray
  • 1991 – Hugh Mowbray
  • 1990 – Mac Mitchell
  • 1989 – Neil Miskell
  • 1988 – Neil Miskell
  • 1987 – David Loucks
  • 1986 – David Loucks
  • 1985 – Richard Black
  • 1984 – Steve Burgess
  • 1983 – Steve Burgess
  • 1982 – Richard Black
  • 1981 – Richard Black
  • 1980 – Terry Hale
  • 1979 – Terry Hale
  • 1978 – Norm Campbell
  • 1977 – Norm Campbell
  • 1976 – Norm Campbell
  • 1975 – Mike Gilhespy
  • 1974 – Geoff Church
  • 1973 – Geoff Church
  • 1972 – Mike Gilhespy
  • 1971 – Mike Gilhespy
  • 1970 – Mike Gilhespy
  • 1969 – Art Fowler
  • 1968 – Art Fowler
  • 1967 – Dave Owen
  • 1966 – Art Fowler
  • 1965 – Art Fowler
  • 1964 – Art Fowler
  • 1963 – Art Fowler
  • 1962 – Art Fowler
  • 1961 – Alex Copeland
  • 1960 – Ray Tredgett
  • 1959 – Gordon Beckerleg
  • 1958 – Tony Last
  • 1957 – Tony Last
  • 1956 – Tony Last
  • 1955 – Harry Jackson
  • 1954 – Harry Jackson
  • 1953 – Giff Calvert
  • 1952 – Giff Calvert
  • 1951 – Jimmy Niven
  • 1950 – Lionel Frost