Athlete Profile
I love this game.
From the moment I stepped on the practice field in my first year of high school, I was hooked for life.
I don't know why it took me so long to find this love of rugby.
Both of my parents played, and so did my grandfather, back in England.
You could say I grew up on the sidelines of many of the rugby fields across Ontario,
as I watched my parents play the game I would one day call my own.
And now they are my fields to play on.
Coaches have described me as a quick learner, quiet leader, someone that can put the team above all.
My teammates say they love to play alongside me, and I can tell you the feeling is mutual.
I have been privileged to be coached by some really experienced and dedicated coaches,
and very fortunate to play with some very talented up and coming players.
I strive to uphold the values of the game.
I love this game.
JUSTIN TAYLOR: ASPIRING TO PLAY FOR CANADA AND PROFESSIONALLY
My Rugby Journey
2017/2018 - My personal journey started in Grade 9 at Dunbarton High School in the spring of 2018, where I broke my nose at one of the first rugby practices. Fortunately, my dad agreed to let me return to training early, and I have never looked back. That summer I tried out for the Central Ontario Provincial team, and though I was one of the final selections, I kept working hard and earned more opportunities to play including a starting position in the Eastern Canadian Championships in Nova Scotia. My play with Ontario led to an invitation to join the Rugby Canada Development Academy within the Canadian Sport Institute of Ontario.
2018/2019- While at the Academy, I was encouraged to take up rugby 7s, and was invited to play for the Canadian Misfits where I enhanced all the skills I had been taught in the Academy. My pathway continued to expand as I was selected to play for Ontario 7s at the Tropical 7s Tournament in Florida the next Spring.
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2019/2020- One of the most pivotal years in my development pathway came after I had emerged from the Academy as a bigger, stronger, faster and more technically sound player thanks to the focused training I was given.
2020/2021- The pandemic caused everyone to press pause on competitive rugby in March 2020, just after I returned from the Western Canadian 7s Championships with Ontario where we competed in the final and won a Silver Medal. Despite the pandemic, I continued to train with the Ontario Blues and was also selected to the first ever Toronto Arrows Junior Academy. My continued passion for the game was noticed by Robin McDowell, who in his role with Gilbert Rugby, selected me as one of a number of Gilbert Rugby Ambassadors across the country, including some National Team athletes.
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2021 - Enrolled at Durham College, and as a freshman, I was privileged to fill the role of the First XV flyhalf, where I was surrounded by a mix of solid veteran players, many of whom were two-time Provincial OCAA Champions and together we are 2021 OCAA Bronze Medalists. Prior to joining Durham College, I played with the Oshawa Vikings and was invited to the Rugby Canada U19 Talent ID Camp in Kingston. I competed in Dubai with the North American Barbarians 7s team and was also selected to the Canada U19 East/West Camp that was to have taken place in January 2022 (but was cancelled due to Covid19 restrictions).
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2022 - Selected to the Rugby Canada Pacific Pride National Senior Men's Development Academy in January 2022. Invited to the Canada U20 Men's Camp in July. Member of the 2022 Rugby Ontario U19 Men's Silver Medal team for the Canadian Rugby Championships. 2022 Rugby Ontario Senior Male Provincial Player of the Year recipient.
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2023 - Invited to return to the Rugby Canada Pacific Pride National Senior Men's Development Academy for August 2022-May 2023. Selected to the Rugby Canada U20 Men's National Team Long List. May-August 2023 Oshawa Vikings 1st XV Flyhalf, Rugby Ontario Marshall Division.
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2024 - Invited to return to the Rugby Canada Pacific Pride National Senior Men's Development Academy for August 2023-May 2024 - my third season with the development academy.
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