XRFC

Official page of the St. Francis Xavier University Mens Rugby Club (XRFC). The Club has served as a social association and competitive team since 1967.

The club was formed by Ed Carty who still coaches the team to this day. Rugby Football has had a long and distinguished history at Maritime Universities. Until the 1950’s rugby was the principal fall sport, but this changed when Football was adopted as the primary sporting activity in 1958. The myths and rumours of how rugby started again at StFX have been lost in the mists of time and hallways of

academia. But what we do know is that in 1967, rising from those mists like the kilted heroes of his homeland, university professor Ed Carty stepped into the role of Head Coach of the StFX Rugby Team. Later joined by another professor, the always eloquent Derek Wood, StFX Rugby developed as a “Club Sport”. Reveling in the organizational and financial challenges of being a club sport, the team developed a strong camaraderie early, traveling the Maritimes in search of suitable opponents, leaving a trail of poorly sung rugby songs in various watering holes, and hosting incredibility lavish fundraising events at home to support their activities. Always of course overseen and supported by the efforts of Ed and Derek. As the club grew, a second men’s team was added and the team played in both the NS Senior Men’s A and B Division as well as the University league often resulting in multiple games on the same weekend. Showing incredible foresight, Ed supported the efforts of several X women to create the first X Women’s Club team in 1984, setting the stage for a CIS Women’s Rugby Dynasty. Men and women’s Teams were also entered in to the World In-door 7’s Tournament in Truro. All of these teams would perform extremely well at all levels winning multiple championships and being strong ambassadors for the university. Off the field the StFX Rugby Club played an active role in the university and Antigonish community with charity fundraising events, socials, and members holding executive positions in student societies and government. It’s fair to say that the Annual Pre-Christmas Ball gathering at Derek and Grazia Woods home rapidly became a “must-attend” social event with many athletes from the varsity teams waiting anxiously for a date call from a female or male player of the rugby club. The club also experienced international success hosting various teams and travelling to tour Bermuda in 1983, 1987, and the Bahamas in 2012 always proudly waving the StFX flag and doing our best to foster international relations and avoid conflict. Of course club success did have its ups and down. Under growing pressure (aka jealously) from competing teams and divisions in the early ‘90’s, the Men’s team were forced to focus on only one league. The University League was chosen and StFX continues to ring up successful results to this day, still running 2 teams. Derek Wood gradually reduced his coaching role through the 2000’s with the most capable Lars Hallstrom stepping forward to assist in the coaching and administrative duties. At present, the club is guided by X alumnus Michael McAlduff who shares the stage with the eternal Ed Carty. As for the Women, well their star continues to rise with a move to the august halls of Varsity Sport in 1998 and Mike Cavanagh (formerly Cole Harbour RFC, but that’s forgiven now) joining as their Head Coach in 1999. But they haven’t forgotten their roots maintaining that underdog edge which drives their mental and physical toughness on the field. Over the 46 years since its rebirth, the StFX Rugby Club has provided a home, friendships, education, fitness, and opportunity to give back for 000’s of StFX students resulting in positive growth for the university and for the individuals who have had the privilege to take part. Here’s to another 50 years!

10/05/2024

Homecoming Win 31-17 over UNB

Quite the special day for all those involved in the XRFC. A monumental award to our fearless leader Ed Carty who received the Rugby Canada Lifetime Achievement Award today before a pivotal win against the Iron Men.

Happy Hoco, Hail and Health 🤍💙🏉

09/20/2024

Happy National Coaches Week!!

A huge thank you to our legend of a head coach Ed Carty for over 50+ years of dedication to our club here . Be sure to come out on Saturday, October 5th (Homecoming Weekend) to Memorial Field to see Ed receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from .

Another big thanks to Rob Halligan for his 4 years of coaching with the team. We couldn’t do it without you!

Hail & Health

07/11/2024

2024 Lifetime Achievement Award

We are so very excited and proud to say that Ed has been honoured with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award by . Ed’s tireless commitment to growing the game of rugby at and across the province is truly remarkable. We are so fortunate to have Ed’s plethora of knowledge at our lead year in and year out. We thank him for all his hard work, there would be no without him.

Congratulations Coach, hail and health 🔵⚪️🏉

09/10/2023

Division I 2023 campaign gets underway tomorrow on the Island

3pm Kickoff vs

10/14/2022

Onwards, together, into Hoco Weekend

⚪️🔵🏉💪🏼

07/28/2022

always a great time when former XRFC players come back for a visit! Awesome to see Pat and Ed meeting up for a sneaky pint!

05/13/2022

Wishing the best of luck to our 4 XRFC players as they are competing in Wales, representing the Atlantic U19 Rock team! 🌏🏉

04/22/2022

Good day to reminisce about rugby and our favourite spot on earth 🌏 🏉

04/08/2019

Last week the at the annual StFX Intramural and Club Sport Banquet, the XRFC officially wrapped up the 2018-2019 season with a great dinner, an always good speech from Ed Carty and gave out our annual awards. Alessandro Varlese was awarded the alumni shield of dedication for the 2019 class, while Kaelin Flewelling and Brendan Lesaux shared the Michael Macafee Leadership award and Captain Jack McBeath was voted by the team the 2018-2019 Caledonia Award Winner for commitment and excellence to the club. 4 very deserving winners and further congratulations to all the seniors who will be graduating this spring. Another very successful rugby season for the XRFC and we are looking forward to the 2019 season this fall!

12/11/2018

Just in time for Christmas, the XRFC team photo has arrived. We hope everyone has a great and safe holiday season! We will be back in the winter for indoor 7s season! Missing from photo: Gavin Harmon, Jack Skipper, Justice Gruben, Piotr Dunn, James Macdonald, Charlie Marier, Patrick Dunlop, Megan Lohnes (Physio)

11/02/2018

Jack McBeath will Captain 23 strong tomorrow as the XRFC will travel to Wolfville and take on in the Nova Scotia Provincial Final. Kick off is at 5 PM on the Acadia Turf! We would also like to give a shoutout to on a berth in the National Championship this Sunday also in Wolfville!

10/31/2018

In hard fought playoff weekend, the XRFC came out with some bitter-sweet results. Last Saturday, in the first division semi-final, the XRFC firsts took quick care of .u.r.f.c by a score of 53-10 with tries from Jeremy Smith, Jackson McDonough, Spencer Calvin, Cole Jones And Jack McCarthy. However, on the following Sunday, the XRFC seconds fell in a heart breaking 16-15 OT loss at the hands of to unfortunately end our seconds season. Men of the Match were Jackson Mcdonough for firsts and Sam Stewart for seconds. The firsts will no travel to Wolfville this Saturday to take on and we will look to capture our 5th straight 1st XV Nova Scotia Championship! More details of game and location to come.

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