Cochranite James O’Neill will compete with the Canada U20 rugby team later this month at the Junior World Trophy in Uruguay on Aug. 23.
The 19-year-old openside flanker has a long history with rugby – he first started playing at nine years old and is grateful for all the opportunities that have come his way because of it.
O’Neill starting his rugby career playing with the Calgary Irish, before moving to the Bow Valley Blues for a short period in 2012. Following that, it was on to the Calgary Canucks - the team he is still with today.
But it was his stint with the Shawnigan Lake School Stags in September of 2012 – where he and his brother, Connor, attended school and played rugby – that opened the door to O’Neill’s first major world stage appearance.
“I liked being in full-time rugby,” O’Neill stated. “I learned a lot out here … I got pretty close with the team out there.”
O’Neill was given a shot at the national team when Jeff Williams, his old Shawnigan Lake teacher, emailed him and asked him to try out for the U20 rugby team.
“I’m pretty excited,” O’Neill said. “And obviously honoured and humbled they chose me to be a part of the squad.”
O’Neill said all the coaches he has had over the years are his biggest inspiration – and all the friendships he made along the way.
“It gives me a sense of belonging,” O’Neill said with gratitude. “The amount of people I have met with this sport and seeing what they do with their lives.”
O’Neill is currently on a rugby scholarship playing for the Vikes at the University of Victoria where he studies economics and politics.
O’Neill’s past achievements include playing for Team Alberta’s U14, U17 and U18 rugby teams. He also played on Canada’s U18 team for a tour of Ireland last year.
