Campbell River’s youngest rugby players visited Comox on Sunday for the Vancouver Island fall season’s first Mini Rugby Jamboree and crossed the try line many times to go undefeated against an assortment of players from the Comox Kickers and the Cowichan Piggies.
Speed, determination, and a lot of heart were the difference in their successful morning of rugby.
Coaches George Cossenas and Erin Young noted that one player in particular, Haley Wingert, 10, probably made half the team’s tags, resulting in turnovers and many offensive opportunities for herself and her teammates.
Tries were made by Wingert, Aidan Lund, Kayla Lund, Tyler Miller and Riory Young.
“As these players gradually make the transition from tag to tackle defence this season, they have a solid knowledge of low, safe body position on defence, as well as how to use the entire space of the field,” Young says.
“They are beginning to see the gaps in the opposition’s defence and run through them, or put a teammate in a position to use those gaps. Every single player has a humble confidence and trust in their teammates that is true to the nature of the sport. Rugby is so good for kids both mentally and physically. Play is continuous – once there is a whistle, the kids automatically realign themselves and the ball keeps moving. There is no time to be standing around.”
The fall Youth Rugby season runs until the last part of November, then continues in spring from early March to early May. New players, both boys and girls ages 8-17 are always welcome to join. Call Erin Young at 250-202-7642 or check out the website, www.campbellriverrugby.webs.com
