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Hayman’s ‘feisty on-field play’ a boon to teammates |
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Written by Jack Borenstein
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Wednesday, 30 September 2009 |
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TORONTO – Twenty-two-year-old Jesse Hayman’s playing, officiating and coaching rugby experiences speak to his dedication and devotion to the sport.
He was born and raised in Toronto and grew up playing hockey, basketball (despite his 5-foot, 8-inch height) and baseball.
His focus on rugby came in part thanks to his brother Corey.
“I watched him play rugby a few times at Westmount Collegiate Institute in Thornhill. A few people told me to attend a team practice and I enjoyed it very much. The physical contact of the game really appealed to me.”
Hayman credited Westmount coaches Doug Brydie, Gerald McLoughlin and Anthony Vultaggio as the biggest influences in his rugby career.
“Their passion for the game makes me excited to be part of rugby everyday. Coach Vultaggio was, and is, an important role model for me in rugby and life.”
Their collective influence has led Hayman to officiate high school rugby games and serve as an assistant coach at Westmount rugby matches whenever possible.
He attended University of Western Ontario, where Scott Stewart was “hard-nosed old school in terms of coaching rugby and made you give 100 per cent during practices.”
Tony Roes coached Hayman his final two years and “gave players more responsibility and he was able to make game adjustments on the fly.”
Roes said Hayman’s “feisty on-field play, combined with his competitiveness, made him someone you liked to have on your team. Jesse’s on-field actions – whether coaching, volunteering or working at events – demonstrates his commitment to rugby and the sport is better for it.”
Hayman originally played the hooker position and eventually added on the flanker role, “because it involved being more mobile, along with being a difference maker on offence. The positions have different focus points and I have been able to switch back and forth as needed.”
He won OUA bronze and two silvers at Western and also competed in the annual Masters of Business Administration (MBA) World Cup of Rugby in North Carolina involving 30 teams from business schools around the world.
“Having studied (and graduated) with a BA in philosophy, Western‘s Richard Ivey School of Business always took some varsity players to the World Cup. I was pleased to be included on those teams. We’re the only Canadian team to ever make it to the finals, losing 8-7 in 2005 and 5-0 in 2009.”
Hayman has played with Aurora Barbarians since 2003. “John Reich, president of Aurora Barbarians, came to a Westmount game and asked me to join the club,” he remarked. “I played on the U18 team and we won the 2005 league championship in my second season, where I was team captain. Every player had a role and knew what needed to be done.”
Barbarians U18 Coach Sandy Townsend said Hayman “had the respect of every player and coach and always led from the front. Jesse was a captain that led by example.”
Hayman was co-winner of the 2008 George F. Jones Scholarship given to a Canadian rugby student athlete, coach or administrator.
He played on Canada’s team at the recent Maccabiah Games in Israel.
“It was one of my best experiences in terms of the intense rugby competition and being in Israel. The heat was very extreme throughout, making the games demanding.”
This is Hayman’s first full season with Barbarians One squad.
“Our head coach Bart Hennessey has been with Barbarians literally forever. He’s a favourite of the players. He expects us to play at a high level and pick our spots during games.”
Having incurred a herniated disc in his neck at Maccabiah, Hayman missed some games down the stretch, including the Barbarians One first playoff pool match Sept.12, a 66-12 win over Oshawa. They won their second playoff game the following week on the road, 37-12 over Ottawa. He hopes to return as flanker for future playoff games.
“We’ve rarely blown out opponents and we’ve been winning close games all season. In late August we won our fourth straight Marshall Premier Division Provincial Club championship in the Ontario Rugby Union. We started strong in the playoffs and look forward to winning another McCormick Cup (previously won in 2007) in October as the top rugby team in Ontario.”
Rugby’s recent inclusion for the 2016 Summer Olympics, resonates strongly with Hayman. “It would be a dream come true for any rugby player, or a player of any sport, to represent his or her country at the Olympics. It is no different for me.”
Jack Borenstein can be emailed at
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 October 2009 )
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