More from Phil Meyer’s Vault. This one from 2009.
Huddy Huddy – Grand Annual JBAA Awards Event – Tribute to Tillman
Last evening, almost 100 happy JBAA Revelers gathered at the House of Bays to eat, drink and otherwise celebrate – as our 26 game season drew to an end! David Smart, BCRU President, had summed up our season earlier in the week:
It is a testimony to JBAA that, having won the provincial Division 1 championship, and lost at game end in the Premier contest, there is an evident feeling in your club that you have had a bit of an off year. Other clubs in BC only dream of such a result!
By last evening, our Bays had left “off year” in the drain that runs away from the clubhouse parking lot – and were again moving forward – celebrating our commitment to each other - players, coaches, administrators, supporters, all together – reprising the accomplishments of our 121st Season as a Premier Athletic Organization – looking forward to playing against Balymena on July 1st.
This is the way it has always been at James Bay – the present Men on the Field walking in footsteps of Bays who have walked here long before – Setting the Standards of Commitment & Excellence that move us forward from year to year to year. They were all there last night – in flesh and in spirit. No one more than Tillman Briggs.
As my young teammate in the 50’s – and later as coach of the Seven Straight Bays - Tillman was a man apart – lifting us all to play better – teaching us to behave better – encouraging us to respect all who came through our clubhouse doors. Much later, still the Compass Keeper for our Bays - he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Pete and Jono in Edmonton, as JBAA won the Canadian Rugby Club Championship.
And so, last evening, as we stood and raised our glasses to Tillman – the Spirit of our JBAA Compass Keeper filled the room - flowing from his sick bed across town – to once again occupy the hearts of those of us who knew him - as teammate – coach – mentor - friend.
What we did not know, was that having seen another JBAA Awards ceremony through – at 10:10 PM, Tillman Briggs went to join some of his great JBAA friends – whose spirits assemble each winter Saturday in the Juan de Fuca clouds that overlook MacDonald Park – to keep an eye on present James Bay ruggers still at play.
illman passed with his family gathered round him. JBAA expresses our condolences, and offers whatever support we can give to Maxine, Cindy, Ollie and the rest of the Briggs family. Information on a celebration of Tillman’s life will be forwarded when available.
JBAA Award Recipients:
The recipients of this year’s awards represent a broader array of excellent athletes and young citizens who carried our Division 1 team to our first BC Championship in 22 years – and a Premier team that continues to put BC on the rugby map with their on-field play. Each one of the Bays receiving awards last night stands proudly in Tillman’s long shadow.
Premier Awards:
MVP – Hugo Belanger.
Tillman Briggs Bay Award – person best representing the values of JBAA – Eric Forsythe.
Most Inspirational Player – Jeff Williams.
Most Improved Player – Ben Johnson.
Rookie of the Year – Thyssen de Goede.
Division 1 Awards:
MVP – Jake de Goede.
Most Inspirational – Ben Peterson.
Most Improved – Jim de Goede.
Rookie of the Year – Pieter van der Merwe.
Women’s Team MVP – Darcy Hill.
The JBAA Awards Dinner concluded with thanks to our outstanding coaches: Pete Rushton and John Buxcey – and a presentation of his World Cup Canada jersey to JBAA by DTH van der Merwe.
Huddy Huddy All You Bays!!!