Fourth-Overall Pick Logan Martin-Feek Discusses “Gratifying” Draft Experience

“With the fourth selection in the Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft, the Toronto Arrows select Logan Martin-Feek from the University of Victoria.”

When Commissioner George Killebrew said those words on national (and international) television on the evening of Aug. 19, 2021, it marked an important milestone in league history: Logan Martin-Feek became the first player selected to ply his trade north of the Canada-US border.

“To be drafted to the only Canadian team, and a team that really tries to give back to rugby in Canada, is an extremely exciting opportunity,” said Martin-Feek after the Draft. “It feels like I’m joining more than just a rugby club in MLR; it’s something where I can hopefully join in helping to make a difference to rugby in Canada.”

Born and raised in Victoria, British Columbia, 23-year-old Martin-Feek is a dual Canadian/New Zealand citizen whose primary position is fly-half, but offers flexibility to cover throughout the backline.

“It’s an extremely gratifying experience to be drafted. It was something that when I put my name in [to declare for the Draft], I truly didn’t expect this outcome, and certainly didn’t expect to go as high as I did. I’m really grateful for the opportunity that the Arrows have provided me.”

The 6’1″, 205lb versatile back began playing the sport as a five-year-old at Westshore RFC (then Velox RFC) on Vancouver Island. He also spent a year in New Zealand playing for Sumner RFC; the Christchurch-based club also had its hand in developing England international Nathan Earle and Scotland Sevens player Ross McCann.

Martin-Feek has started over 65 times for the University of Victoria, captaining the side since 2020. He counts winning the 2019 Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship with the Vikes as his favourite rugby memory; Martin-Feek’s strong performances at that tournament saw him land on the competition’s 1st XV All Star Team.

The UVic product stands to become the fourth Vike to play for the Arrows,  joining fellow Victoria program grads Guiseppe du Toit, Jamie Mackenzie and Ollie Nott at the club.

 

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The fourth-overall pick was poised to gain international experience with Canada’s under-20 side in 2018, but he cruelly suffered a broken leg in a warm-up game shortly before the Canucks were due to begin their tour.

“It was just a freak accident. It’s part of the game, but it was tough to accept, for sure.”

Martin-Feek counts the Kiwi trio of Dan Carter, Conrad Smith, and Richie Mo’unga as his favourite players.

“Smith in particular did all the basics extremely well, and he was a player that didn’t necessarily shine game-to-game, but when he was on the field, all the other players around him were able to drive to a higher success rate. He was one of those players that increased everyone else’s game by 5 or 15%.”

“Carter is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, to ever play.”

Looking ahead, Martin-Feek wants to end his post-secondary career on a high before turning his full attention to club and country.

“I’m definitely striving for higher honours. I’d like to land on the senior national team, but to be honest, I haven’t done too much forward thinking. I have those goals in mind, but right now I’m focused on more immediate goals: the next half-season with UVic, and then to see what I can do to help the Arrows to achieve success. We’ll see what happens from there.”

Header Photo Credit: Ned Bekavac