36 — Wednesday, October 22, 1997 -- North Shore News Rugby puts boots to soccer WHEN North Van’s Steve Gelinas took off for France about a month back, he raised to 37 the number of Canadians now playing pay- for-play rugby overseas. Tweng Besides confirming the obvious ic. thar the Wet Coast remains artland of rugby football in Canada — these numbers have inspired an unprecedented innova- *% von in preparing the national team for international competition. Instead of bringing the guys home to a National team camp in preparation for a Nov. 30 interna- tional against Ireland in Dublin, Canada is putting its team together at a special camp in Jolly Old. Indeed, the first session is this week at the WASPS rugby club‘s facilities in London. Next month, in the week leading up to the Ireland match they'll be in Belfast for more training and a warmup game. The airlines people may not agree, but ir makes sense. Professionalism has wrought more changes to the face and spirit —~~> of the game than any other happen- ing since the Rugby Union was born in 1871. And Rugby Canada, which isn’t exactly overburdened with funds, is sull kicking itself in the pants for letting so many good ones get away for absolutely zilch. ix of them are from B.C. north shore news Thats why the game here in B.C., despite the fact it draws -— vow ll pardon the expression —- “crowds” of maybe two or three hundred tor Saturday claib marches is turning professional at the Pr and First Division levels. betore these modest oy that isn’t what it’s all about. ‘Transfer fees are 3! about. As long as the pl amateurs, overseas clubs didi’t have to pay a dime to the Canadian ieams and leagues that devel oped them, They could hardly believe their good luck. Inthe future, ne more freebies. Quite apart from helping to pay tor development costs, the transfer fees will, theo- retically, allow clubs and leagues fo reward aspir- young players with something more iangible than a happy handshake. An analogous situation — in Swedes, chs and Slovaks have their eyes on big paydays in the ever expanding NHL. As they are dratted and signed, their home and associations are reimbursed under an agreement with the NHL. Indeed, there are so many of them over here now, North America might soon be the most convenient place to put together their national teams. National soccer coach Bob Lenarduzzi could only have wished, during the past several disappointing @ SPORTS weeks, that he had a pool, as rugby does, of 35 of 40 Canadians plaving for first class professional teams over- seas. Instead of eliminstion, Canada might weil be headed for next vear’ World Cup in France. The difference is char at the top, the soccer world is much biguer than the rugby werld, and has been play ing the game with full-time pre sionas for mure than a century. Canada ranks 60th or more. [tis not a happy hunting ground for the pros, Once the purest of amateur team recent jump inte pro the result of its deci- sown World Cup s. There now have , 199) was high time they were paid. With Canada ranked an une Hith among the 100 nations that play the game, Canadian players have become major beneticiaries of recruiting from overs Vre Not in the same salary league as basket- ball and hockey players, but what's wrong with an estimated starting vy of 350,000 a season for a young, and virtually unknown, uncapped plaver like Steve Gelinas? anadian internationals . Norm Hadley and Al Charron, among many others, are well into six figures. With possible big paydays as a down-the-road lure, rugby is headed for unprecedented growth hereabouts. But you may have co take a trip to England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland or France_to see the best of B.C. and Canada in their prime. Chrysler Intrepid No deaiers please photo Paul THE Capilane Rugby Club’s premier ieague team continues to be a proving ground for young Canadian talent. This Saturday the team travels to Victoria to take on the Canadian U-23 squad. - "All '97 Vehicles: >. atfactory invofce -_._ You get the following: - Jeep CherGkee*2500 @ 2 3.9% apr. - Dodge Caravan.*1250 @2 = 38% aba Chrys, Sebring *1200 @-