Rugby union or rugby league – it doesn’t matter which avenue players take, the skills offered at the upcoming Vernon Youth Touch Rugby program will get them off to a solid start.
The brainchild of Iain Scott and Gordon Cheyne, the grassroots program will provide basic rugby skills for boys and girls ages four to 12 in a safe and friendly environment.
There will be a total of six weekly sessions running Sundays from 10-11 a.m. at Grahame Park starting May 12.
Registration is at 9:30 a.m. on opening day, and the cost is a bargain at $20, which includes snacks and a T-shirt.
“It’s just getting these kids exposed to rugby,” said Scott, originally from York, England (Northern England is the birthplace of rugby league).
“We lose so many kids at the grassroots because they’ve already been exposed to other sports.”
Training sessions will involve running, passing drills and other activities related to mini rugby.
By learning in a non-contact environment, Cheyne said rugby newcomers can focus solely on the skills without the added pressure of tackling. And by starting at a young age, he said it helps prepare them for when the physical element of the game is introduced.
“It’s a great way to get together with other children and have some fun learning about the game,” said Cheyne.
“Rugby not only teaches ball-handling skills, running skills and encourages creativity, but also places an emphasis on teamwork, mutual respect and sportsmanship.”
In the past, there has been a political divide between rugby union and league, but Scott said the touch rugby program is meant to help bridge that gap. He hopes it will become the foundation for a feeder program that will benefit both sports.
“We’re staying away from the union/league nonsense,” he said. “This is going to help both sides.”
Scott added the Vernon Jackals, who play in the Okanagan Rugby Union, are in full support of the program. He is also hoping to have several members of the Kelowna Crows, including hometown standout Jared Curry, help out.
Canadian rugby enjoyed a spike in popularity as the national team, led by a heavily bearded Adam Kleeberger, competed at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Canada is ranked 14th in the world in union, and 18th in league.
The next World Cup will be hosted by the United Kingdom in 2015, and the sport will benefit from further international exposure as rugby sevens is reintroduced at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. The last time it was included in the Games was in 1924 in Paris.
Scott and Cheyne are looking for volunteers to help with registration, set up, supervision and skills coaching.
For more information, or to volunteer, contact Gordon Cheyne at ghcheyne@gmail.com, or 250-938-1162; or Iain Scott at iain.scott@investorsgroup.com, or 250-307-4888.
