· Niagara Falls Public Library

Player Name

Barkwill, Ray

Type

Athlete

Sport

Rugby

Inducted

2020

Era

1991 - Present

Description

Ray Barkwill's rugby career began at Westlane Secondary School in Niagara Falls. While there, he was a prominent player on teams that competed with success at the highest level of high school rugby (S.O.S.S.A. and O.F.S.A.A.). At this time, he also played with the Niagara Wasps and later earned a position with Niagara Thunder of the Canadian Super League. Attending Brock University, he played with the Badgers Rugby Team and his outstanding play led his team to the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championship in 2007.
Ray went to Australia to further his education and played on championship rugby teams that honoured him with several distinguished awards. Ray turned pro with the Western Force of the Super Rugby Competition for the 2012 season, before returning to Canada. Ray played for the Ontario Blues Rugby Team and won five National Championships. The next season, Ray was selected to play with the Canadian National Team, and on a trip to Europe he won his first of many career caps that are received for competing in international level games.
Ray's greatest thrill was when he competed in the 2015 World Cup in England, during part of his five years with the Canadian World Cup Rugby Team. Ray continued to play for Canada, the Sacramento Express, and the Seattle Seawolves 2018 Major League Championship Team in the USA. During Canada's successful 2019 World Cup bid in France, at a qualifying game, Ray sustained an injury that resulted in his retirement from rugby.
Ray's credentials and skills in his chosen sport are fine examples for others to follow, and have earned him Wall of Fame recognition.

Subject

Awards
Portraits - Biographical
Sports - Recreation - Leisure
Niagara Falls Virtual Sports Wall of Fame