The Foothills Lions are expanding the Friday Night Light’s concept into the sport of rugby.
The Lions Division II and III clubs are making their home debuts under the bright lights of the Holy Trinity Academy (HTA) field in Okotoks for a Calgary Rugby Union doubleheader versus the Calgary Canucks on Friday May 25.
Head coach Darcy Gallant and the Lions couldn’t have picked a better opponent to kick-off their home schedule against as the Calgary club has developed into the Lions’ biggest rival in recent years. The Canucks edged the Lions in the final game of the 2011 regular season in a win-and-you’re-in situation for both clubs leaving Foothills on the outside looking in on the playoff picture.
The Lions haven’t forgotten what happened in the extremely feisty previous meeting.
“We definitely want the same effort, but a different result,” Gallant said. “Due to last year’s game I would say they’ll be our biggest rival this year.”
The Lions coach has extra motivation every time he steps on the field versus the Canucks.
“I played for them for 14 years,” Gallant said. “It’s always a good time to play against some of your buddies.”
The Division II matchup between the Lions and Canucks, at 8:45 p.m. at the HTA field, will be the first in Okotoks since the Lions added the second division team. Gallant said spectators can expect to see a more polished brand of the sport at that level.
“It’s definitely a lot quicker than Division III,” Gallant said. “There’s a good combination of higher calibre players, especially from larger clubs that are either Division II players or Division II players trying to play Division I.”
The Lions have been working on their offensive creativity in their two weeks of preparation between games as the Division II club has just 15 points through two matches.
“We definitely just need to generate some more offence,” Gallant said. “I think our defence has been pretty good, our set pieces have been good, we just haven’t been able to generate much out of the back and in open play.”
Gallant said there are usually five moments in a rugby match during which capitalizing on opportunities often determines the outcome.
“We’re just working on being a little more creative and being patient and making sure when an opportunity comes that we’ve got to finish it,” he said. “Right now we’re not getting our portion of those plays.”
The Division II Lions are 0-2 on the season while the Third Division Lions are 1-1, with their victory resulting from a forfeit from the Calgary Rams. Gallant is eager to get some wins as home soil has been good to the club in the past two seasons.
“Our home record the first two years has been very good,” Gallant said. “Everyone likes playing at home.”
The numbers don’t lie. Foothills boasts an 11-3 record in Okotoks since 2010, including a 5-2 mark last season.
They’re hoping to put in a good showing for some prospective men’s division players in attendance.
All of the high school rugby teams in the foothills area have been invited to the games to see firsthand what Lions rugby is all about. The Division III Lions and Canucks begin the doubleheader at 7:15 p.m. followed by their second division counterparts at 8:45 p.m. The HTA concession will be open with proceeds going towards the HTA Knights football program. For more information on the Foothills Lions go to www.foothillslionsrugbyclub.com.
