1970s UBC rugby star. Played on BC Rugby team and captained Canada's National team. Played over 50 games for Canada over 17 years including playing for Canada in rugby's inaugural World Cup in 1987. Selected to Rugby's All-World team in 1976.
In 1970/71, McTavish, who scored a team high 39 tries, led the powerful UBC Thunderbird rugby team to 21 victories out of 22 games including championships in the Tisdall Cup, McKechnie Cup and World Cup. The Donn Spence-coached team was dubbed "UBC's best rugby team ever" and is inducted into the UBC Hall of Fame. This team which formed the foundation of what would be a successful rugby era at UBC, grew together, exemplifying commitment, experience and strength. The rugby at UBC according to McTavish was "... intense and the socializing was intense too. Rugby was the best thing that ever happened to me. I would have been happy to stay here at UBC for ten years!"
According to the late UBC coach Spence, "McTavish is a coach's dream come true" on teams that boasted incredible rugby talent. "He's so smart tactically" states a former teammate. "He has the ability to read situations and how to use the ball." Canadian National Team coach Gary Johnston echoed the accolades suggesting McTavish was Canada's most exciting player of the 1970s. "He's an amazing physical specimen, a tremendous team leader with an abundance of energy." Barry Legh added, "He’s a great character guy. He kept things from getting too tense because he had a lighter side as well." McTavish was virtually the complete package and was recognized in 1973, receiving the coveted Bobby Gaul Award as UBC's outstanding male athlete. The honor, according to McTavish, "Took me by surprise."
After graduating in Physical Education and Math in 1973, McTavish and Legh with help from rugby great Buzz Moore, formed a new team, the UBC 'Old Boys', which thrives to this day. With the 'Old Boys' McTavish starred as he won the esteemed Howie McPhee Memorial Trophy in 1976 (Rugby's outstanding player) was selected the "Old Boys Back of the Decade" and has had an Old Boys rugby scholarship set up in his name.
International matches were a large component of McTavish's career, starting with his days with the UBC Thunderbirds and on through the 'Old Boys'. In fact, through the 1970s and into the 1980s McTavish played over 50 games for Canada and over 100 games for BC He captained Canada until 1982 and was awarded 23 caps (full international test matches).
In 1987, at age 37, McTavish was asked to come back to the National Team after a five year "retirement" to provide "adhesive for Canada's inexperienced back line in the inaugural World Cup," the first world rugby championship. National Team coach Johnston assessed McTavish at that time saying "he is world caliber, in complete control on the field and has had a fantastic career."
Spence retired from teaching at Vancouver’s Lord Byng High School to serve as head coach of UBC's rugby team. His goals were to make UBC rugby more competitive, to recruit talent and to instill in his players more discipline and accountability. He felt at UBC the young person can benefit through good coaching, good facilities and UBC's special history.
Spence was also on Canada's National Team coaching staff, is a member of the first rugby team inducted into UBC's Hall of Fame and is one of Canada's most revered players. He is also acknowledged as both a rugby player and coach in having the Canadian University Rugby Championship trophy named in his honour. Impressive considering when Spence was a frosh at UBC he was a 119-pounder whose goal was to play UBC basketball. Quips Barry Legh, "When you speak to Spence, if he doesn't give you enough superlatives about his play on the rugby field, just come back and see me."
This Inductee is also in the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Researched and written by Fred Hume, UBC Athletics Historian
