This past week a few of the club elders convened, along with players from our female program, and joined by Linda Gower to present the new Gower Scholarships. The Gower family have been long time club members and supporters and to honour the memory of Linda’s late husband - Frank Gower - she has generously created the Gower Scholarships to support youth players pursue post secondary education and training.
As with the earlier youth scholarships, we have a video available on our YouTube channel and a social media post to follow soon.
The Gower Scholarships
Frank Gower was born in Victoria in 1926. He was drafted into the army before his high school graduation, and as a result is one of the first names on the JBAA Remembrance Day Roll of Honour. He attended Normal School on his return and graduated from UBC, where he won a Big Block Award for playing rugby.
He taught science, mathematics and physical education at the newly-opened Belmont High School. He managed to clear a decent playing field by using rock-moving as a disciplinary measure.
Although Frank played many sports, most of his years playing and coaching was with rugby. He co-founded the Junior High Rugby League and was a proud member of JBAA for many decades as one of our longest serving members. His dedication to the club is commemorated by a tree planted in his honour by his wife Linda Gower.
Frank was also a team player in his greater community, serving on many charitable organizations and encouraging others to find a way to give back. Having been the youngest of seven children and the first to attend university, Frank was aware that students face many barriers to higher education. The JBAA Gower Scholarships are intended to celebrate his love of sport, generosity of spirit and to help remove some of the financial burden for students to pursue their post secondary education and training.
We are grateful for Linda Gowers’ generosity in providing these scholarships for JBAA youth.
Maggie Swan
2020 Esquimalt graduate Maggie Swan is the female version of Faf de Klerk with a fearless, incredible work rate who punches about 100 lbs above her weight. A career in protective services – perhaps corrections, police, security work - is in the cards for Maggie and JBAA knows she will relentlessly attack her future the way she patrols the break-down!
Sarah Walker
Sarah Walker is graduating from Stelly’s Secondary in 2021 and has her eye on a future in nursing. She has been a mainstay of our girls pack the last four years and is a joy to coach – tireless work rate, happy, tough and very bright. JBAA is proud that Sarah has chosen a ‘frontline’ career as it is a natural for this quiet leader who we know will be a ‘pillar’ in the community for years to come!