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History
The Saint John Trojans Rugby Football Club began in the early 1900's as part of the famed Trojan Athletic Club, founded by renowned sports builder Walter Golding. Eventually the Trojans Rugby Football Program broke away from the Athletic Club to become its own entity, and one of the original 4 clubs of the New Brunswick Rugby Union.
In the mid 1960's the Trojans RFC was revived, in large part thanks to the leadership of 3 pioneers; Coaches Roger Woolway and Walter Ellis, along with front row stalwart David Jory. They helped pave the way for a strong Saint John Rugby Program that eventually led to the Trojan's very first Provincial Championship in 1971. To win the Title match the Trojans defeated the Fredericton Loyalists in a hard fought battle by a score of 9-3. It would be some years later that the Trojans would taste Championship Victory again.
In 1978 long time Trojans winger David McPherson took over the reigns as Head Coach of the Club (and is still the Club's Head Coach to date). Under his guidance, a hard and committed work ethic was established that would lead the way to a Dynasty. In 1987 the Club won their first Caledonia Cup (symbolic of the Maritime Championship), which would be the first of many to come. This first Caledonia Victory came at the hands of Pictou County as the Trojans defeated them that day by a score of 15-7. Between the years of 1987 and 1995 the Trojans won an impressive 7 Caledonia Cups in 9 seasons, including 5 straight from 1991-95. In 1992 the Club won the Atlantic Cup when they defeated Memorial University, from NFLD, in a closely contested match. The Trojans would also go on to win back to back Eastern Canadian Club Championships in 1995 & 1996 by defeating Ormstown RFC and St. Lambert RFC respectively (those teams represented the Quebec Rugby Union Champions at that time).
Positive recognition was to come for all the Club's hard work and success. In 1994 the Saint John Labatt Trojans RFC was inducted into the Saint John Sports Hall of Fame for its domination of Championships during that period. Also, in that same year David McPherson was awarded Saint John Coach of the Year. In 2000 the Club was awarded, by a newspaper poll, the Evening Times Globe's Saint John Team of the Century.
In 2001 the Club entered a newly formed circuit named the Aliant Atlantic Premiere League (comprised of the top 6 rugby clubs in Atlantic Canada). In 2003 the Trojans had a very successful season by winning its 8th Caledonia Cup by defeating Halifax RFC in the Championship match 25-17. To date the Trojans are 1 of 4 founding members of the Aliant Atlantic Premiere League that are still competing in the 6 team loop. The Club has been competitive in this league, enjoys playing at this level, and continues to work hard.
In all the Club is comprised of a Men's A side Team, B side Team, Women's Team, and both Men's & Ladies U19 Teams. The Men's B side has also tasted many victories by winning the Wheaton Cup (symbolic of Senior B Maritime Supremacy) in 1988, 89, 93, 99 & 06.
The Women's side has come a long way as well. In the early 1990's the Lady Trojans Team was established by such leaders as Tanya Horgan & Maegan Skinner. Over the years the Team has continually improved and developed. The Women's side has seen success winning Maritime Championships in 2003 & 2004.
Over the years the Trojans have also devoted time to charitable causes in Saint John, such endeavours as raising funds for Romero House, the Cancer Society, helping to provide Christmas to underprivileged families, and beautification projects within the city. The Trojans have also had the longest amateur team sponsorship with Labatt Breweries of Canada. As well, the Club has embarked on 2 major Tours during its history, Bermuda in 1990 and Ireland in 2002. It has taken the contribution of many members - players young & old, coaches, and administrators - to have the success and stability the Trojans have been able to achieve. Thanks to all and keep up the good work.
All rosters listed above are players who actually stepped on the field for
these respective games.
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