Nearly 100 enthusiastic rugby supporters gathered in a new venue for an entertaining evening at the annual Thunder organizations Legends of Rugby spring fundraiser.

This year's guest speaker was Mike James, one of Canada's legendary international players. James recently returned to his home base in Vancouver after retiring from playing professionally in France for the last 11 years.

Born in Vancouver in 1973, James started playing rugby at the age of 16. As a second row forward, he was first capped for Canada in 1994 against the United States. Since then he has played some 60 games for Canada between 1994 and 2008. James played in four World Cups, putting him in with a mere handful of international players to have done so, and captained Canada on numerous occasions.

James turned professional in 1996, signing up for USAP Perpignan, a Premier division team in France. In 2000, he signed with Stade Francais in Paris and played there until retirement in 2008. During James' tenure, Stade Francais were French Champions in 2003, 2004, and 2008. James has played over 50 European games and 300 professional games in France.

Accompanied by his wife Leah, James received warm applause from the guests at the dinner and wine event in Oakville.

James also commented that the characteristics needed to play professional rugby, such as discipline, tenacity and teamwork, which are great life skills and will be valuable in the next stage of his life.

Although he will miss the thrills of playing in the French professional league, James is looking forward to his new career as a mortgage broker, spending more time with family and some part-time rugby coaching at his old club.

Thunder will use profits from the event towards the running costs of the Thunder team and its RCSL Junior division entry, the Niagara Lightning, an under 20-age grade team who will compete for the second year in the national competition.

On May 10 the Thunder and Lightning teams will travel to Montreal play their first 2008 RCSL games against the Quebec Caribou and Junior Caribou respectively.

Thunder were finalists in last year's national championship and the Lightning were runners-up in the eastern conference.

The Super League is played in an Eastern and Western conference format with the winner of each conference playing each other to determine the Canadian Championship. Playing in the league is considered a must if a player is to achieve an opportunity to be considered for Canada's National teams.

For more information go to www.niagarathunderrugby.com or call Dave Burnett at (905) 336-9545.