It was the little team that could and did.
After only three practice sessions together, the Vancouver Island Tsunami U16 Girls, with local players Georgia Bellamy and Kristine Osachuk, both 16, won the B2Gold Provincial Regional Championships with an intense display of defence over favourites Fraser Valley in the finals, coming out on top with a score of 10-7.
The last 10 minutes were spent in Tsunami’s end, with incredible commitment to tackle after tackle giving Fraser Valley limited options. Dave Ward, Tsunami’s support coach currently based in Vancouver, said of their performance, “I have to say that in the final game I was standing behind their (the Tsunami) posts as Tsunami were defending big time – those young women really had to give everything for each other and the encouragement they were giving each other was fantastic. The scream when the final whistle went was deafening. I think the ref jumped a foot in the air. It was a really tough game, actually none were easy and it took good teamwork to get through, so the Island U16 Tsunami women did a fantastic job.”
“After seeing the first trial camp and the skill and athleticism of all 35 participants, I knew this team would turn heads at provincials. They instantly gelled, in huge part to the efforts of coaches Dwayne Mills of G.P. Vanier Secondary in Courtenay and Ryan Hall of Alberni District Secondary in Port Alberni,” Campbell River Athletic Association President Erin Young said. “And having two Campbell River girls able to contribute to that showing and gain that experience is huge for them and can only help girls rugby development in our North Island region.”
Campbell River Athletic Association’s current focus is on youth rugby with fall club age categories covering ages 7-17. Pre-season training begins in August and is also open to new players wanting to give the sport a go. September and October will see Jamborees for “co-ed minis” which is 11 and under, while the Male and Female Juniors (12 and up) will enjoy a series of 7-aside tournaments prior to the start of their 15-aside season. In the meantime, the club invites teens and adults of all experience levels to Touch Rugby on Tuesdays at the Carihi fields from 6-7:30 p.m. For more info contact Erin at 250-202-7642 or eayoung@me.com.
The club’s website is www.campbellriverrugby.webs.com or find them on Facebook - search “Campbell River Athletic Association Rugby”.