Kris Witkowski has won the 2010 Pat Anderson Commitment to Excellence Award.  Canadian rugby is very fortunate to have a company like Pat Anderson Insurance taking a leadership role with regards to funding and player support.  This generous award is geared specifically to helping the Canadian Men’s 7’s Team build towards the 2013 Rugby World Cup and eventually the 2016 Olympic Games.   Rugby 7’s inclusion in the Olympics means that the amateur nations must be particularly wary of being left behind by the professional nations in the quest for Gold.  Pat Anderson’s Award aims to help bridge this gap for Canada by ensuring the countries core players stay in the game. 

The 7’s team has a strong core at the moment with some young up and coming talent.  Their results in the recent Hong Kong 7’s were exceptional.  They won the Bowl and beat Tonga (twice), Portugal and Wales (RWC 2009 7’s Champions).  Kris Witkowski was one of the core members of this successful squad and was genuinely ‘shocked’ to have won the award despite playing a significant role in the Team’s success.

“I didn’t know what to say when I was called up for the Award.  I felt that any one of the nominees could have won as there were lots of strong contenders”.

In Witkowski’s appearance there are traces of Bodhi from Point Break and in his attitude towards life there seems a smattering of the Dude from The Big Lebowski, but he has been inspirational for his team mates and knows how to work hard. 

Morgan Williams, the National Men’s 7’s coach said of Witkowski, “We brought Kris in because he has played a lot of 7’s in the past and would bring some leadership to a young squad.  Kris has worked very hard this year, and fully deserves this Award.”

Witkowski is clearly passionate about Canadian rugby and is quick to acknowledge the significance of the Pat Anderson Award.

“This award is great as there’s not much funding for 7’s players.  Often a lot of the carded players are geared towards the 15’s game and direct funding for 7’s players is rare”, Witkowski offers.  “There is a difference between 7’s and 15’s and it is nice to see it being acknowledged by supporters like Pat Anderson.  I’d also like to mention the Rugby Canada Foundation who have helped with funding too and this really makes a difference for the players.  This support will be important on the long road to the 2016 Olympic Games”.

Witkowski goes on to say, “No one does 7’s for money. You play for your buddies, country and any extra money you get is just a bonus.  There needs to be more funding for players to help keep the core guys sticking around.  When the core members stay together for a while Canada has had success”.

Neil Meechan, the 2009 winner of the Pat Anderson Award, completely agrees with Witkowski, “It is good that the non carded 7’s players, who are often away for two weeks of every month, get financial support.  It helps pay the bills and keeps the core of the squad together.  Wales won the last Rugby 7’s World Cup and their squad had been together for the 3 years prior to lifting the trophy”. 

Here’s hoping that the core members do “stick around” as Canada will want to build on their Hong Kong performances.  Construction starts on May 22nd in London and then the following week in Edinburgh where Canada have been pooled with Australia, England and Portugal.  Pat Anderson relishes seeing Canadian players going above and beyond the expected in their quest for excellence.  In Pat Anderson the Rugby Canada Foundation is proud to have such a fine contributor to the sport and our congratulations go to Kris Witkowski on his efforts that led him to winning the Commitment to Excellence Award.