We were delighted to hear that while the RGS Rugby team have been on tour in Canada, they managed to meet up with former pupil Adrian Lightowler (1996-03). Adrian lives and works in Toronto and Gareth Hughes, former RGS teacher and rugby coach, now Headmaster of RGS The Grange, took the opportunity to reach out. Adrian, a keen sportsman at RGS who himself toured Chile and Argentina with Gareth during the 2001 RGS Rugby tour, is now Manager for Fitness and Performance at the University of Toronto, and he kindly showed the squad around the site, took part in a Q&A covering his time at School and journey afterwards, and even hosted a little shooting hoops basketball session for the boys on the university basketball courts.

On being able to meet Gareth and the RGS tour team on his current ‘home turf’, Adrian says “My memories of Gareth as a teacher, rugby coach and person are so positive and it was incredibly rewarding to be able to give something back by offering him and the teams a taste of what it is like for student-athletes at UofT. The boys were incredibly attentive and thankful which is a credit to them and to Mr. Lewis for the culture he is developing and they seemed to have a great time shooting hoops in our Field House ”.  

Adrian also remembers his time at RGS, the tours he took part in and the impact they made on him, saying, “the sporting experiences that I had at RGS helped me develop many of the life skills and perspectives that have contributed to me finding the balance I have in my life today.  In particular the tour to South America was a life-changing experience that I am so grateful for. The camaraderie between year groups during and following the tour was incredible and something that I will never forget”.

Gareth Hughes was delighted to see Adrian and said on the meet-up “We are indebted to Adrian for taking the time to show us the University Sports facilities. It was a real privilege and it certainly opened our eyes to the extensive opportunities and aspirational environments on offer in Canada. I am extremely proud of what he has achieved here as well as the person he has become”.

A big thank you to Adrian for giving his time so generously. The alumni network is so supportive and encouraging to current pupils, perfectly exhibited here, even miles away from Worcester!

Updates on the Canada tour, and news of this rather special meet-up, has got other memories flowing too. Former RGS teacher and coach Paul O'Sullivan, was also on the 2001 South America tour with Gareth and Adrian, and remembers Adrian well. Paul kindly managed to dig out some photographs of the 2001 South America tour for us to see too. Keep those tour memories flowing and do send any photos into foundation@rgsw.org.uk !