Local trio sign with Durham College rugby team

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

BROCK TOWNSHIP: Three players from the Brock Rugby Club will be part of the rugby powerhouse at Durham College this fall.

Since the team was established five years ago, the Lords have been a dominant force in provincial college rugby, winning a medal every year there has been a competition, including provincial championships in 2018, 2019, and 2022.

North Durham players have been a big part of that continued success, and this year, Durham will be adding three more young men – Cole Harris, Andrew Neveu and Rowan Closs - who have spent considerable time as teammates, both with the Brock Rugby Club and Uxbridge Secondary School.

A 6'2” prop, Harris comes to the Lords with a remarkable sporting resume as former captain of Brock RFC (Rugby Football Club) and well as Uxbridge Secondary School, having led the Tigers to silver and bronze medal finishes at the OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) provincial high school championships. An accomplished two-sport athlete, he also spent time last season patrolling the blue line as a defenceman with the Uxbridge Bruins.

A talented inside centre, Closs has played a key role with Brock RFC in recent years, helping the club to claim TRU East and Muck Cup championships at the Under-16 and Under-18 levels.

Rounding out the trio is Neveu, who has been noted for his hard work and tenacity at the hooker position. He was recently selected to represent Team Ontario at the Under-18 level this summer.

All three players have extensive experience representing Ontario, with Harris and Closs recently named to the Team Canada Under-18 squad which is currently competing in Amsterdam as part of a summer tour, and includes matches against Belguim, the Netherlands and Team USA.