Gustavo Verna, BSc. (Univeristy of Victoria)

Born in Buenos Aires, Gustavo Verna’s early sporting life revolved around rugby and squash.  In 1976, he was lured to Victoria, BC, after playing against a Canadian rugby squad that was touring Argentina. Mr Verna enrolled at the University of Victoria and played varsity and club rugby while he pursued his Bachelor’s degree in human performance. He also found the time, energy, and patience to play competitive squash and soccer, participate in mini-triathlons, and serve as programme director for the YMCA. In the 1980s, Mr Verna spent time in both Germany and the US where he coached squash and tennis, and where he also managed various fitness clubs. 1986 witnessed his return to Victoria. In the first of many successful business endeavours, he assumed co-ownership of the Nautilus Fitness Club. Here, he managed the courts and arranged squash tournaments, the most notable of which—the Pacific Rim Tournament—drew the top players from Canada and the world.  It was through rugby, not squash, that Mr Verna came to Brentwood. At the suggestion of  rugby “mate”, Tony Medina, Mr Verna applied for the newly vacated position of squash coach. Mr Verna continues to coach, and has also started a community league which gives local players the opportunity to play squash in what he considers to be “the finest courts on the Island”.  Mr Verna has two sons and is the co-owner of the Quadra 24-Hour Sports Club.