Three Brock Rugby Club players named to Canada’s Under-20 National Team

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

BROCK: A trio of local rugby standouts will represent Canada on the international stage, this June, as three players from the Brock Rugby Club have been named to the national men’s Under-20 rugby team.

Rowan Closs, Cole Harris and Andrew Neveu, all products of the Brock Rugby Club, based in Blackwater, were selected, following trials held in Vancouver earlier this year. The three players are also alumni of the Uxbridge Secondary School Tigers and former teammates on the varsity rugby squad at Durham College.

Jim Closs, who coaches at the Brock Rugby Club and is Rowan’s father, said it’s a rare and remarkable accomplishment for the small-town club.

“There’s never been a time when three guys from the same town were on the same team at the same time,” he said. “It’s something really special for our club, and for our community. It just shows the level of talent and hard work these boys have put in over the years.”

Prior to their Under-20 selections, Rowan and Cole attended the Pacific Pride development academy, in Victoria, and were members of Canada’s Under-18 squad. Their dedication has paid off with consistent success at every level.

Since 2019, Closs, Harris and Neveu have played together for the Brock Rugby Club, near Sunderland, winning multiple LOSSA (Lake Ontario Secondary School Athletics) championships with Uxbridge Secondary, earning silver and bronze medals at the provincial championships. At Durham College, they captured an OCAA (Ontario Collegiate Athletic Association) bronze medal, and, in 2024, they helped Team Ontario win the National Under-19 Championship.

Their strong bond has been a key to their success, Jim Closs said.

“They’ve grown up together, pushed each other to get better, and it’s made all the difference. You don’t get to this level without that kind of commitment.”

For Rowan Closs, wearing the Maple Leaf alongside his longtime teammates is a dream come true.

“It’s pretty surreal to get this chance,” he said. “We’ve been playing together for so long, and now, to represent Canada together, it’s unbelievable. I’m just really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish.”

Next, the trio will attend a national training camp, on Vancouver Island, from May 11th to 21st, before heading to Fiji for the Oceania Rugby Under-20 Challenge. There, Canada’s young squad will face off against top-tier teams, from Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa.

However, the opportunity comes at a cost. Each player must raise approximately $5,000, to cover travel and tournament expenses. A GoFundMe campaign, started by Jim Closs, has already raised more than $11,000, showcasing the strength of the local support. Uxbridge Mayor, Dave Barton also recently presented the players with a $1,000 donation, from the Mayor’s Golf Fund.

“The support has been overwhelming,” Jim Closs said. “It’s amazing to see how the community has come together to support these boys. It really shows the pride people have in what they’ve accomplished.”

Those wishing to contribute to the players’ journey can visit gofundme.com/f/3-tigers-on-tour-for-canada.