Carpenter Inducted into Rugby Ontario Hall of Fame

Brantford’s Aaron Carpenter has been inducted into Rugby Ontario Hall of Fame.

Carpenter, a former standout at Brantford Collegiate Institute and with the Canadian men’s team, was inducted during a ceremony earlier this month.

“I’m just happy to be recognized for the years of work I put in,” said Carpenter, now 39 and living in Mississauga.

Carpenter’s career spanned two decades, beginning in Grade 9 at BCI and ending in 2018 after he suffered multiple concussions.

His induction gave him a chance to reflect on his accomplishments.

“I think the 2011 World Cup was one of my favourite memories,” he said. “I think we gave a good account of ourselves and we bonded as a team.”

During the pool portion of that World Cup, Canada beat Tonga, had a strong showing against France and scored its most points against New Zealand.

But that wasn’t the only highlight for Carpenter, who mainly played No. 8 during his career.

He led BCI to an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations gold medal in 2001. At 16, he joined the Brantford Harlequins senior men’s team. Carpenter attended Hamilton’s McMaster University, helping the rugby team win three OAU championships.

He played on various national teams throughout his career and spent nine years playing professionally in the U.K. He appeared in three World Cups.

Carpenter ended his career as the most capped Canadian player in history with 80. And he also owns the record among forwards for most international tries with 17.

Although most of his career was spent outside of Brantford, Carpenter credited those with ties to the city in helping him.

He said Harlequins teammate Dave Neill was “always inspirational and was always there to help me out.”

“Dave Goodrow, one of the club members, he’s a stalwart who is still there. Barclay Luke and Marc Cohoon were senior leaders on the (Harlequins) who dragged me along and Bob McGeein always pushed my named forward.”

He said he was introduced to the sport by his coaches at BCI, Bob Boos and Mick Ferras, who “gave me the love for it.”

He noted that the coaches took BCI rugby teams to play in the U.K. every two years.

“And that was one of the things that got me hooked on rugby.”

Since retiring, Carpenter has remained active in the sport.

He previously helped coach Major League Rugby’s Toronto Arrows and he’s currently the head coach at Seneca College and a co-coach with the men’s team at the Burlington Centaurs Rugby Football Club.

He said the Seneca job came up through a connection with someone at the Burlington club.

“It was a challenging season,” Carpenter said.

“About half of the players I had, I was starting from scratch. It’s a bit humbling when you work with some of the best players in the country and then some players who have never played before.

“You have to start at the very basic skill level.”

Carpenter and his wife, Catalina, have three children – 10-year-old Nathaniel, eight-year-old Cassandra and five-year-old Gabriella. He said Nathaniel has played some rugby but he’s not pushing his kids into the sports.

As for his future, Carpenter said he hopes to continue coaching and giving back to the sport.

He said Brantford remains a special place, particularly the Harlequins Grounds.

“That was my first home,” said Carpenter, who wanted to thank his parents, Kim and Ken, and all his friends and family for their support.

“Every time I go there I feel welcome and supported, even as the opposing coach.”

Source: Brantford The Expositor