BOARD MEMBERS

JOHN SILICH

PRESIDENT

The foundation president John hails from New Zealand, where he grew up playing rugby. As many do, he set off on his travels around the globe until he found Aspen, where he joined the Gentlemen of Aspen RFC and ended up calling it home for good. 

John won many titles with Aspen and went on to be the Chairperson of the club, amongst other titles. John has now passed the torch, as his son Storm now plays for the Gents senior team. The main reason for starting the foundation was to give kids in the valley, like his own, access to Rugby. His on-field achievements have translated into his professional life, where he consistently delivers results with the same level of dedication.

ANTHONY GRANT

BOARD MEMBER

Born and raised in South Africa, Tony was introduced to rugby from an early age, and the sport has been a part of his life ever since. he joined the Army in 1977 before he got his diploma in Civil Engineering from Cape Technikon. 

Tony represented both the Defense Forces and Province in rugby and even had been invited to Springbok Trials. After moving to Chicago and playing for the Lions for two years, he found his home in Aspen, Colorado. He played for the club for 27 years, winning multiple national championships. He started a family and a business here and eventually moved to Austin in 2013. He’s still regularly seen around Aspen and the rugby club!

TIM FRANCIS

TREASURER

Tim hails from Atlanta, Georgia but went to school in Buffalo and Huntington, New York respectively. He ended up finishing school in Burlington, Vermont, and ultimately attended the University of Vermont where he majored in Math and Business. after lettering in varsity in Football and Basketball during high school, Tim joined the rugby club at university where he fell in love with the sport and eventually became club president. 

He later moved to Aspen where he played for the Gents for 5 years. After brief stints in Australia and San Francisco, Tim returned to Aspen to finish his rugby career and served as Board Chairman. He still calls the Roaring Fork Valley his home.