On top of enjoying some of the most intense sporting drama you鈥檒l ever see, here are 10 reasons to cheer for our ruggers.
1. They鈥檙e the 2023 RSEQ champions
Unfortunately, the Gee-Gees lost in the 2024 RSEQ championship, falling to ETS 19-14 in the conference final. Last season, the Gee-Gees had taken down the ETS Piranhas 18-17. Coming down to the wire against the ETS Piranhas, Glenn Roy made a penalty kick from 34 yards in the 80th minute to give Ottawa an 18鈥17 win and claim its first-ever RSEQ championship.
2. They鈥檙e nationally ranked
Finishing the regular season 5-1, the team has quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with. Ranked sixth in the country, the Gee-Gees have proven they鈥檙e one of the best nationwide. Your vocal support in the stands and the home field advantage could help them rise in the rankings!
3. The Roy brothers
Evan and Glenn Roy are a powerhouse brother duo. Evan just broke the Gee-Gees men鈥檚 rugby program record for career tries. He鈥檚 a three-time RSEQ first team all-star and a pillar of the Gee-Gees front row. With three tries in three games this season, Evan continues to be a player to watch.
Last season, Glenn became the leading point scorer in program history, passing 115 career points. The two-time RSEQ first team all-star holds the Gee-Gees record for most points in a single season, after amassing 70 in 2023. He鈥檚 affectionately known as Mr. Clutch.
4. They keep making history
The team didn鈥檛 become an RSEQ titan out of nowhere. The players come from humble beginnings, playing in the Scholars League, a lower-level Ontario league.
The Gee-Gees joined the RSEQ in 2018 and, in their second season, appeared in their first playoff game. In 2022, the team hosted a playoff game at home for the first time and earned its first post-season win. Though Ottawa fell to McGill in the 2022 RSEQ final, the team made their way back to the championship match up and claimed its first RSEQ title in 2023.
5. Head Coach James Flemming
Named head coach in January, James Flemming is embedded in the program鈥檚 history. He used to play for the Gee-Gees. In 2018, Flemming was named the team鈥檚 most valuable player. He鈥檚 also a 2021 RSEQ first team all-star and a two-time RSEQ second team all-star. He鈥檚 been a part of the program鈥檚 greatest milestones and will look to lead the team to its first national championship.
6. Captain Jamie Armstrong
Jamie Armstrong is as talented as they come, and we鈥檙e lucky to have him back for his fifth and final season. Selected for Rugby Canada鈥檚 , a national high-performance program that prepares emerging players for professional rugby at the highest level, he decided to return to his beloved Gee-Gees. As a recipient of the Gee-Gees Career Achievement Award in 2023, the 2021 RSEQ player of the year, 2024 RSEQ player of the year, three-time RSEQ first team all-star and previous holder of the program鈥檚 career points record, Armstrong is a leader and a highlight reel all in one.
7. They鈥檙e filled with stars
The Gee-Gees have produced conference all-stars every season since they joined the RSEQ. Last season, the Gee-Gees had five players named to all-star teams. In 2021, the year Jamie Armstrong was named RSEQ player of the year and Yenam Zouzoua was named rookie of the year, 10 players were named all-stars. Both are still on the Gee-Gees roster. This year, Ali Awada, Connor Billo, Evan Roy, Glenn Roy, and Jamie Armstrong were named First Team All-Stars. Ben Davis was named the RSEQ rookie of the year, and Jamie Armstrong earned the 2024 RSEQ player of the year award.
8. They have a proven track record of creating high level rugby players
Plenty of Gee-Gees alumni have reached the professional level or represented Canada. Let鈥檚 list a few. Elias Hancock (Canada 7鈥檚), Ryan Surgenor (Toronto Arrows), Theo Espagnol (Pacific Pride), Sam Mace (Toronto Arrows), Connor Williams (Seattle Seawolves), Logan Harris (Pacific Pride), Jamie Armstrong (Pacific Pride), James Flemming (Canada 7鈥檚) 鈥 Should we keep going?
9. They can make a run for the national championship on home turf
Ottawa is hosting the from November 14 to 17. As host, the Gee-Gees have already punched their ticket to the event and will look to cash in on the opportunity to earn a national championship on home turf. You could be there to witness history!
10. Their fans rock
If you haven鈥檛 been to a rugby game at Matt Anthony Field, you鈥檙e really missing out. Rain or shine, the fans have shown up for the Gee-Gees. Banging drums and cheering loud, they make for an atmosphere that鈥檚 unmatched.
Don鈥檛 know rugby? Here鈥檚 a quick guide:
Scoring: A try worth, five points, is earned when an attacking team touches the ball down in the opponent鈥檚 in-goal area or on the line. A conversion kick is worth another two points if it goes through the uprights. A penalty kick through the uprights earns three points. Players can also earn three points by dropping the ball on the ground and kicking it through the uprights.
Lineout: Teams line up on either side facing each other as one team throws the ball straight down the middle of the space between them. This is done to restart play when a ball goes out of bounds. You鈥檒l see each team launching players as they jump to grab the ball.
Scrum: Also used to restart play after some minor fouls, eight players from each team bind together over the ball on the ground and push against each other to gain possession.
The tackle: Unlike in football, when a player is tackled, they release the ball, allowing players on their feet to use it and continue open play.
Offsides: Attacking players can鈥檛 be involved if they鈥檙e in front of a teammate who last played the ball. The ball is passed sideways to players who are slightly behind the player in possession of it. Players also can鈥檛 be involved if they鈥檙e behind the ball when the opposition has it.
Rugby positions: Each team has 15 positions, divided between the forwards, known as 鈥渢he pack,鈥 and defenders, known as 鈥渢he backs鈥 or 鈥渂ack line.鈥 Each player鈥檚 shirt number indicates their specific responsibility.
To fully enjoy the play, find out more by reading the .