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At the end of a short and successful camp at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island, Coach Geraint Johns 7s squad took to the field for a series of full intensity inter-squad games battling snow and cold conditions.

The 40+ players were separated between skill levels and divided into even groups that would give the selectors an opportunity to view direct competition between the players. For the younger players it was an opportunity to show off the skills and training they have learned over the weekend through the support of the various coaches and older players.

For the older players it was the final opportunity to impress the Canadian Coaching staff that will be picking the National Roster. Rugby fans from all over the Island attended the cold matches played on Shawnigans top field and were rewarded with passion, energy and very physical play in the snow; a display that is well-known in Canadian Rugby.

The players battled in six different games including a final showdown of Canadas top players that seemed to score tries at will, despite the nasty conditions. Team Canada Assistant Coach Quentin Fyffe thought this training camp was exactly what his players needed to start 2011 off on the right foot. "I thought it was a positive start and the guys worked hard all weekend in tough conditions, especially today.

"I don't see as many countries battling as many conditions like snow, weather, and travel like our guys did this weekend" said Fyffe. "The camp was good for the young guys because it gave them a glimpse of where they need to be and also for the older guys because they got a look over their shoulder and saw that there are guys ready to take their spot. All of the coaching staff thinks that the veterans rose to the occasion this weekend"

Veteran Canadian 7s and 15s player Adam Kleeberger has made himself open for roster selection this year after stints overseas last year. Kleeberger thought this camp was good not only on the field, but off the field for bringing camaraderie between the young and old. "This was the first time we've done something so extensive and it was good to bring in the young guys and give them a chance. In Canada we lack depth and this camp was good to develop the next generation for the future" said Kleeberger. "I found at the beginning of the camp there was a bit of a gap between the young and old but throughout the weekend the gap was bridged and I don’t think anyone felt left out and everyone had a positive attitude going towards the same goal"

The Canadian Coaching staff will now have the difficult task of picking a touring side that will travel to the first leg of the 2011 IRB World Circuit in Wellington, New Zealand and Las Vegas, Nevada. The coaches will also pick a longer list of players that can be used throughout the entire IRB 7s series however other players can be added to fill in when injuries and other complications occur.