Sunny skies and dry pitches allowed local youth rugby players one more fantastic day in two separate jamborees Sunday to finish off the first half of the Island rugby season.
Female athletes took part in all-girls matches hosted by the Castaway-Wanderers RFC in Oak Bay and were treated to a training session ran by three of Canada’s Senior Women’s 7’s Team.
“It was a great example of how the rugby community always gives back,” says club coach and Youth Coordinator, Erin Young. “Three of our country’s talented veteran players, Barbara Mervin, Mandy Marchak, and Brittany Waters, spent the afternoon with about 40 up-and coming girls ages 9-17 just one day prior to boarding their flights to Dubai to defend their championship titles at the Dubai 7’s. They were super supportive and encouraging and admitted to being very impressed with the skill level represented at the venue.”
The club’s male U11 athletes then teamed up with their counterparts from the Comox Kickers and headed to Nanaimo Hornets RFC. Coach Kevin Quin was especially impressed with the offensive performances of Matthew Ravai and Tyler Miller, who seemed to be everywhere that they were needed in order to mount effective attacks, resulting in single tries for each.
Speedster Aidan Lund also saved the day with an all out sprint and try-saving tackle inches from Campbell River’s own tryline.
The Youth Rugby spring half will commence in late February with a couple indoor fun fitness and ball-handling sessions, then move to weekly training sessions outdoors once field conditions are more seasonal. Both female and male players ages 8-14 are needed.
Young adds, “As coaches, we often use the term ‘Give a kid the Gift of Rugby’ when we think of recruiting, as that’s exactly what rugby seems like to us. The camaraderie, excitement, fitness, friendships, and worldwide travel opportunities are endless and lifelong.”
Youth Rugby is affordable, inclusive and complements other sports well. For more info contact Erin at 250-202-7642.
Christmas Salmon Youth Rugby Fundraiser
The Campbell River Athletic Association is currently offering a great Christmas gift and entertaining fundraiser with the sale of locally caught and smoked salmon. Choose from regular, peppered, cajun or candy - all at $15/lb and all proceeds support youth rugby. Call George at 250-202-0088 or Erin at 250-202-7642 to place your order. Thank you to club supporters Mike Thompson, Darren Munro and Mainstream Biological Consulting’s Lance Stewardson for making this possible!