The man who has promoted rugby in Newfoundland and Labrador for a long time has been rewarded for his dedication to the sport.
Pat Parfrey has been named to the World Rugby Council. He will be the Canadian representative on the Council.
Parfrey started playing rugby at age 13 at the CBC in his native Cork. He played his club rugby for University College Cork R.F.C., London Irish, Montreal Irish and Swilers RFC.
Between 1970-77 he played in all of Munster’s games, including the game when Munster drew 3-3 with the New Zealand All-Blacks in 1973; he also won a cap for Ireland as a wing against them in 1974. He was the coach who led London Irish to the club’s first ever Cup Final in 1980.
He left London Irish in 1982 and moved to Montreal, where he coached Montreal Irish. He then become coach of the Canadian National side and led them to the 1999 Rugby World Cup. He also led Canada to victory in the Pacific Rim championship in 1997 and 1998. He later became the President of the Canadian RFU, and is still a Director. More recently he coached the Newfoundland Rock team and won the Rugby Canada Super League.
