Seattle, October 10, 2017: The Seattle Seawolves Rugby are glad to announce the inclusion of Ray Barkwill into their ranks. Former Canadian national Rugby team captain and 5 times national champion joins Seattle’s official Major League Rugby team. “We are fortunate to have a player and a man of Ray’s caliber. He is an uncompromising player who leads from the front. His experience, leadership, and ability to transmit his qualities to the service of the team will benefit the Seawolves for this coming season and beyond”, said Tony Healy, the head coach of Seattle Seawolves Rugby. Having spent a lot of playing time in Australia and Canada, Barkwill is excited about the American challenge. “Seattle is a perfect place for Rugby and has some really passionate fans. I can’t wait to get down to the field with the boys and make them proud,” said Ray Barkwill at the time of announcement.

We are proud to welcome Ray Barkwill to the Seawolves family.

More about Ray Barkwill:

Born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Barkwill began playing his rugby at Westlane Secondary School along with Niagara Wasp RFC. He went on to play for the Niagara Thunder while being educated at Brock University in Ontario. In 2007, he captained Brock University team to its first OUA Rugby Championship while being named OUA Finals MVP. Barkwill graduated from Brock University with a BSc. Physical Geography, he continued his post-graduate studies at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. He then joined the University of Western Australia's Rugby Club in and was then selected to the Western Australians Perth Spirit later that season for their tour to Adelaide, South Australia.

Ray also represented Ontario Blues from 2008-2016 while winning 5 national championships in a row. Ray has represented Canada 43 times since 2012 while captaining his national side on numerous occasions. He was a member of the 2015 World Cup team and winner of the prestigious Canadian Shield. In 2010-12, while living in Perth, Australia, Ray also played for the University of Western Australia, Perth Spirit, and the Western Force. In 2011, he also led UWA to a Pindan Grand Finals Premiership while being named Best & Fairest.

More about the Seattle Seawolves:

The Seawolves are proud to be Seattle's Major League Rugby franchise. With an ownership group led by Seattle-based entrepreneur's Adrian Balfour and Shane Skinner, the club was formed in 2017 and is a founding member of Major League Rugby. The inaugural season kicks off in Spring 2018 and the venue will be Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Washington. For sponsorship opportunities please contact Brian Jones at brian.jones@consultingjones.com.