A new sport for youth is coming to town.
Touch Sevens is the non-contact version of Rugby Sevens, being introduced as a new Olympic sport in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. The game will be offered to local 10 – 12 year old boys and girls, beginning April 19.
The touch game is a fun, fast, fitness-oriented sport played in various forms all over the world. It is a great sport to help local youth develop their ‘physical literacy’.
“It is important for young athletes to play a variety of sports,” said Doug Manning, President of the Central Okanagan Rugby Enthusiasts. “It enables players to become more resilient and adaptable athletes in their teen and adult years. Touch Sevens complements soccer and other sports by focusing on passing, catching, and picking up a ball on the run. It also emphasizes the importance of enterprise and team play for success. These are vital skills for all athletes.”
The Touch Sevens league will run on Sundays from 10:00 AM to Noon, beginning April 19. After a week of basic skills assessment, players will compete in a 6-week league. League play will end on June 14th with a wrap-up jamboree.
Girls and boys who turn 10, 11, or 12 in 2015 are eligible. Players must register before April 17 at the Parkinson Recreation Centre. The cost is $37 for eight weeks of play.
“Touch Sevens is a lifetime sport,” said Manning. “150 kids participate each spring in the Kelowna Crows Mini-Rugby touch program for 4 – 9 year olds. We have over 100 adults competing in our summer touch league. This new mixed Touch Sevens league for 10 – 12 year olds supports the physical literacy of young local athletes. It’s also just one more fun way to get kids up off the couches and into a fresh air activity.”
Register at the Parkinson Recreation Centre. For more information, contact Doug Manning (4dougmanning@gmail.com).
