Coaching rugby in Burnaby for more than 20 years with outstanding success, bringing international acclaim to Burnaby and Burnaby Lake Rugby Club.

Following successful coaching career with men’s teams, winning three Fraser Valley championships, two Miller Cups and two Provincial championships, turned attention to Burnaby women’s program where he led his teams to five Provincial championships,

BC’s first national women’s title and a win over Japan’s national side in 2009, still today the only time in Canadian rugby history al senior women’s club side has defeated a national team.

John Adams has been a leading figure in the development of Burnaby rugby, especially at the youth level. His creation of the Burnaby Buffalo Junior program during the 1980 and 90s became the leading feeder program to the senior men`s rugby club.

He provided essential help as well to local high school rugby programs by liaising with Burnaby school teachers and coaching at numerous schools for more than 25 years. He also started the BCIT rugby program as another feeder program for the senior club.

A graduate of Burnaby Central Secondary, he was an outstanding wrestler at that school, twice winning his class at the Provincial championships. Put it all together and his outstanding resume reads athlete, teacher, coach, mentor, fundraiser and friend to many.

Anna Schnell Schnell was an elite player on an elite Burnaby Lake Rugby Club squad. In her six seasons (2004-2010), Schnell was a dominating force as Burnaby Lake won three provincial championships.

She also led B.C. to its first Canadian championship in eight years in 2005. Schnell has played more than 30 times for Canada including the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. In fact, she was the second highest scorer in the 2010 tournament in England with 46 points losing out on the scoring title by only two points.

Heather Wilson-Banks was first capped for Canada’s national women’s rugby team against Wales at the 1994 World Cup.

Wilson-Banks, a back row forward, went on to represent her country 15 times, primarily at the No. 8 position.

The Burnaby firefighter played in two other World Cups for Canada, in 1998 and again in 2002. She captained the national team on two separate occasions.

Wilson-Banks played her club rugby for the Burnaby Lake Rugby Club for 12 seasons.

Ryan Banks represented Canada 36 times on the national men’s rugby squad.

The former Team Canada captain and No. 8, played for the national team at the men’s World Cup in 1999 and again in 2003.

Banks played one season professionally for Bedford in England.

Banks, a Simon Fraser University grad, is a 14-year veteran of the Burnaby Lake Rugby Club. He has also helped out the local club as a coach.

Burnaby South grad Dave Milne has been Mr. Everything in his long rugby career. From vice-captaining Canada against the British Lions to coaching his alma mater to three New Zealand Shields in the 1980s, Milne continues to be an icon for the game into his 70s.

Milne was a two-time big block winner in both rugby and baseball at the University of B.C., before beginning a long career in club rugby. As a member of the Trojan Rugby Club, Milne won numerous, local, district, provincial and national team honours. At the same time, he began coaching high school teams in Burnaby over his 34-year tenure, making eight provincial championships appearances, including titles in 1982, ’83 and ’85.

In 1965, he was the recipient of the Howie McPhee Trophy awarded for leadership, sportsmanship and playing ability. He was also the winner of the Jack Patterson Trophy for service and administration with the B.C. Rugby Union.

Milne continues to play rugby and shared a silver medal on two occasions at the world masters championships, including one with Canada’s first over-65 team in 1998.

Mike James was an outstanding rugby player who has represented Canada 36 times, including two World Cup competitions. He began his professional career in 1996 in France after receiving offers from Japan.

James, who started the sport in Grade 11 playing for Alpha Secondary School in Burnaby, starred for Canada’s under-19 and under-23 squads and with the latter had 17 caps in less than one year.

James made 57 appearances for Canada, being named captain for several of those matches. He played nine games for Canada in four World Cup appearances (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007).

He played professionally in France premiership with Perpignan (1996 to 2000) and Stade Français (2001 to 2007) where he won league titles in 2003, 2004 and 2007. He also played five times for the French Barbarians helping them in two Heineken Cup finals.

He retired from rugby in 2007 going on to coach the Burnaby Lake Rugby Club for two seasons and the BC Bears as well as administrative roles for Rugby BC.

James is an honoured member of the BC Rugby Hall of Fame (2020) and Rugby Canada Hall of Fame (2023).