March 30, 2016
Ray Barkwill Joins PRO Rugby Sacramento Team
Photo: Ray Barkwill
Doug Coil
Ray Barkwill grew up in Niagara Falls, Ontario playing rugby for the Niagara Wasps RFC of
Rugby Ontario’s Senior Men’s League. After graduating from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, he relocated to Australia to pursue a graduate degree at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. While there, Barkwill played for the University of Western Australia in 2009-10 and was selected for the Western Australians Perth Spirit 2010-12, as well. He also played for the Western Force A in 2012 before leaving to tour South America with the Ontario Blues. On that tour he played against Argentina’s Salta Provincial team and the national teams of both Chile and Uruguay. In November 9, 2012 he also received his first cap for Canada in a loss to Samoa.
During the 2012 Americas Rugby Championship, Barkwill was a member of Canada’s A side that that lost in the final to Argentina. Prior to that they won against Uruguay and the United States.
According to Rugby Canada in 2013, Barkwill won 9 caps for Canada and
scored a crucial try vs Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup in Ottawa. Barkwill also
started at hooker vs New Zealand Maori, a non-cap appearance.
Barkwill has played for the Ontario Blues since 2012 and the Blues have won four straight MacTier Cups at the Canadian Rugby Championship.
During 2015, Barkwill was a member of Canada’s 2015 Rugby World Cup squad, where he started the first two matches against Ireland and Italy and came off the bench against France. While there, he was voted one of the players with the best beards.
In February to the first week in March, he played for Canada at the 2016 Americas Rugby championship. He helped Canada secure third place in the tournament with wins against Uruguay, Brazil and Chile, while losing to both the United States and an Argentina XV side. He also was captain for one of the matches.
Ray brings a wealth of experience to the front row and will be an excellent addition to the Sacramento team at Hooker. He has been capped 30 times for Canada.
PRO Rugby Press Release: March 30, 2016
“PRO Rugby is pleased to announce the signing of Ray Barkwill to play for Sacramento in the inaugural 2016 PRO Rugby season. Born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Barkwill rose to prominence with Canadian provincial side the Ontario Blues before moving to Australia where he had a stint with Super Rugby’s Western Force. Barkwill is a specialist hooker known for his work-rate and dedication. Ray has represented Canada thirty times in international play, most recently as skipper.”
