Education
Barkwill graduated from Brock University with a Bachelor of Science
Barkwill graduated from Brock University with a Bachelor of Science
Born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Barkwill began playing his rugby at Westlane Secondary School along with Niagara Wasp Reconstruction Finance Corporation. He went on to play for the Niagara Thunder while being educated at Brock University in Saint Catharines. In 2007 he captained Brock University team to its first OUA Rugby Championship while being named OUA Finals Most Valuable Player. Physical Geography, at this time he continued his post graduate studies at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. He then joined the University of Western Australia"s Rugby Club in June and was then selected to the Western Australians Perth Spirit at the end of September of that season for their tour to Adelaide, South Australia.
Shortly after the finals Ray was invited again to join the Western Australian State side (Perth Spirit).
In late Barkwill was selected to train with the Super 15 side Western Force "A" for the upcoming season. At this time he caught the eye of Canadian national coach Kieran Crowley.
In January Barkwill made his first selection for the Force "A" side while continuing to play for the Perth Spirit side. In March Ray join the Ontario Blues on there tour of South America versus Argentinean province Salta and National sides Chile and Uruguay.
On this tour is where Ray was given the nickname " Louisiana Flama Blanca " by the Argentinean crowd in attendance.
Concluding this tour Barkwill was informed about joining the Ontario Blues team for the Canadian Rugby Championship season back in Canada. Barkwill was then selected to represent Canada "A" at the Americas Rugby Championship held in Langford, British Columbia. After the American Red Cross concluding in October, Barkwill was then selected for Canada"s Autumn tour to the United Kingdom, versus Samoa, Russia and New Zealand Māori.
On November 9, He started for Canada in his first cap vs Samoa in Colwyn Bay, Wales where they lost 42-12.
Ray was selected for the Canadians team for the Rugby World Cup, which was held in England. Ray started the first two games vs Ireland and Italy while coming off the bench for the France match.
He is recognized by his big beard along with fellow teammate Hubert Buydens making news during the Rugby World Cup.