The Houston SaberCats signed Canadian scrumhalf Crosby Stewart for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 26-year-old scrumhalf is 5’8″ and 176 lbs.
Crosby is an indigenous rugby player (Gitxsan and Nisga’a) from Prince Rubert, who grew up in Victoria and attended Oak Bay High School through his graduation in 2012. He ran track as a senior (100 meters & 4×100 relay) and his junior year began playing rugby. He also joined Victoria Island Thunder Rugby, which was founded by Canadian international Phil Mack. The team’s goal is to introduce rugby and train aboriginal youth on Victoria Island. He also later coached the U16’s girls and U16s boys, and in 2018 was a coach at the Indigenous Sports Physical Activity & Recreation Council’s provincial development camp in partnership with Haida Gwaii Recreation & Thunder Rugby.
Crosby attended the University of Victoria from 2014-2019, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry. He played rugby for the UVic Vikes in the Canadian Premier League, won the Canadian University National Championship in 7s three consecutive years in 2014, 2015, and 2016 and was an All-Star in 7s in 2016. He also was a bronze medalist in XVs in the 2018/19 season.
Crosby progressed through the British Columbia age-grade system and helped win the British Columbia championships with the U18s and U19s. He also toured with Rogue Rugby Sevens U18 side to Chula Vista, California. He was selected to represent the Canadian Maple Leafs on their South American Sevens tour at Punta del Este in Uruguay and Viña del Mar in Chile, however, he broke his foot and needed to withdraw prior to the trip. He started all three matches for the Canadian National Team at the FISU Rugby Sevens (International University Sports Federation) in Napoli, Italy in 2019, and then played in the 2019 Rugbytown 7s with the North American Lions.
He played wing for the BC Bears in the Canadian Rugby Championship in 2016 and was honored that same year with the Premier’s Award for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sports, GITXSAN Nation.
Crosby joined the Pacific Pride, Rugby Canada’s centralized National Development Program for 2019-2020, and was the first choice selection at scrumhalf. He was also selected to Rugby Canada’s Senior National Men’s Training Squad, whose camp is November 9-29 at the Al Charron National Training Centre.
Crosby utilizes his speed to attact the 9 channel, like his mentor Phil Mack and should bring energy, enthusiasim, as he continues his development with both Rugby Canada and the Houston SaberCats in 2020.
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