Robin MacDowell takes part in a passing drill during the MacDowell Rugby camp at the Cowichan Rugby Football Club. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Robin MacDowell takes part in a passing drill during the MacDowell Rugby camp at the Cowichan Rugby Football Club. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

MacDowell rugby camp coming to Cowichan next week

Six Canadian senior rugby sevens players and six U20 players will be on hand at Robin MacDowell's rugby camp at the Cowichan Rugby Football Club next week.

Six Canadian senior rugby sevens players and six U20 players will be on hand at Robin MacDowell’s rugby camp at the Cowichan Rugby Football Club next week.

“It will prove to be a special few days in the Cowichan Valley for the athletes to learn from and train with Canada’s best,” MacDowell said.

The Duncan-born-and-raised athlete, who has gone on to play and coach at the highest levels, will run the camp next Thursday and Friday (Aug. 29 and 30)0 for boys and girls of all skill levels, ages 10 and up. Athletes from as far as Alberta and Saskatchewan have signed up for the camp.

The sessions will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days, and focus on several elements of the sport, including catch-pass-kick, track-tackle, breakdown skills, rugby intelligence, and position-specific training.

MacDowell played for the national men’s rugby sevens team, and now runs his own rugby academy. He has coached a wide range of teams, including the Mexican women’s national team. He brings that experience to his camps, including the one this August.

In addition to the camp, MacDowell will host a coaches evening at the Craig Street Brew Pub on the Wednesday before the camp, starting at 7 p.m.

For more information, or to register, visit www.macdowellrugby.ca/camps

Cowichan Valley Citizen