North Vancouver Island Tsunami had a large and strong contingent of Campbell River rugby talent at last weekend’s Provincial Regional Championships held at Burnaby Lake Rugby Club.
Kenzie Braden, Meghan Bean, Kaitlyn Jinda and Maren Carter were selected for the U16 Girls, and Kyle Watson and Cole Newman played for the U14 Boys.
Riory Young, Nolan Young, Josef Dirom and Lochlainn O’Leary earned a silver medal with the U16 Boys after a last minute try from the South Island Tide decided the final match by a score of 8-7. The Tsunami boys were previously undefeated in pool play and semi-finals with the help of two tries from Dirom on the wing and another from Nolan Young at 8-man.
Local coach Darren Munro led the Tsunami U18 Men to an exciting 31-29 bronze medal win over Vancouver Wave.
These local players will now be training for the Victoria International Youth 7s to be held at the University of Victoria, July 8-9. Sevens is the Olympic style of rugby and this tournament will feature teams from Ontario, Utah, New Zealand and England.
The Campbell River Athletic Association invites teen and adult newcomers or returnees to the sport to attend Touch Rugby Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Southgate Middle School. The club is starting up its mini and junior rugby season with a series of three free sessions Aug.30 to Sept.1 in the evenings at Southgate, exact times to be announced. The season runs from September to April with a winter break when local fields close. New families and interested coach volunteers are welcome to contact the club at campbellriverrugby@gmail.com or call 250-202-7642.
