Pulling together to help Lanthier get to camp

Phil Lanthier had been given an opportunity he dreamed of.

But the question soon became, how would he afford it?

The Rugby Canada front row camp is a three-week chance to learn from some of the country’s top coaches while auditioning for a future role with the national squad. It is taking place in Victoria, B.C.

There’s not a lot of financial support to cover flights, accommodations and expenses while on the other side of the country, but the Maritime rugby community stepped up and ensured Lanthier could participate.

A member of the Halifax Tars put out a request for donations on Facebook.

“Within two days my entire trip ended up being funded,” Lanthier said.

He said it shows how the region backs its own.

“We’re all playing this sport together,” he said. “When one person from the East Coast is successful, the whole East Coast really shows what we can do here.

“The support I felt is just overwhelming, not only from P.E.I., but the region as a whole.”

Dr. John Gillis, who plays for the Tars and is a board member with Rugby Nova Scotia, spearheaded the Facebook campaign. His initial goal was $1,500, but it generated close to $4,000 in about three days.

Gillis said the money came from all over the Maritimes, from Maritimers working out West and another in the Middle East.

It came from people who knew Phil and others who had never met him.

“It’s the spirit of the game,” he said.

“Phil, as a player, and Phil’s team (the Hunter’s Ale House P.E.I. Mudmen) are the arch rivals of my team, the Halifax Tars. We’ve played fierce battles with them over the years, back and forth. Phil is a force and has caused us huge problems over the years, but at the end of the day, the spirit of rugby is when the whistle blows, you go have a beer together and you support each other. And it’s really as simple as that – that’s what this is about.”

Enough money was raised to send $250 to a Quebec player also attending the camp. The remaining funds will be held in case Lanthier has any unexpected costs, and from there the balance will be held in trust to help the next man or woman from the region attend such a camp.

“I really wanted to make sure the next person that gets invited to one of these, there’s already a little fund ready for them,” Lanthier said.

Gillis said hopefully it is the start of a tradition among the Maritime rugby community to help their peers.

Lanthier, who has played some with the Atlantic Rock and Nova Scotia Keltics during his career, already felt like he was representing the region before the online fundraiser.

Now he knows he has all their backings.

“As the only one from the East Coast, I feel like I need to really show what level we are at here, so that (national team officials) can start coming out here and they can start realizing the rugby on the East Coast is very good rugby.”

Lanthier, who works at the provincial correctional centre, said he was thankful to have the full support of his management team to purse the camp.

The Mudmen also hosted a fundraising frisbee golf tournament at Huck It Middlet on Disc Golf in Kinkora to help their teammate and friend.