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Rampart Lions staying put for now

The Foothills Rampant Lions will not expand for the 2011 men’s rugby season. “We have decided to just have one team and to continue to play in Division III,” said Lions president Steve Wager.

The Foothills Rampant Lions will not expand for the 2011 men’s rugby season.

“We have decided to just have one team and to continue to play in Division III,” said Lions president Steve Wager. “We looked at the number of players we were expecting to return and we felt we didn’t have enough players for two teams.”

The Lions held an executive meeting on Sunday and decided not to expand to two teams next season.

Foothills had a successful first season last summer when the Lions resurrected the program after being mothballed for more than a decade. They were one of the top teams in Division III of the Calgary Rugby Union, before being eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs.

The Lions contemplated having a team in a higher league such as Division I or Division II to go along with the Division III team. However, it was decided not to move too fast.

“Last year we had a successful season and it was only our first year, it’s not like we have been around for five or six years,” said Wager, who played for the Lions in the late 1980s and early 90s. “It’s unfortunate that we have to make a decision this early because the season is still a few months away.”

At this point, Wager estimated the Lions have a commitment of 18 to 20 players. They would need to have between 25 to 30 players to have a Division II team.

In addition, the Lions are still without a coach.

Last year’s coach Darcy Gallant was suspended in midseason for a roster violation. Wager, who gives Gallant credit for resurrecting the Lions, said he does not know at this time who will coach the team.

Wager said he doesn’t think either himself or Holy Trinity Academy Knights coach Joe Buck can step into coach the team due to other rugby commitments. Wager is the coach of the Foothills Composite High School Falcons.

Wager said he would like to have a coach in place for the Lions by April 1.

Wager added the Lions have an executive this year — which includes Buck and Wager — which should enable the rugby organization to run more smoothly.

The Lions are holding a recruitment party this Sunday at 3 p.m. at Rylie’s Cattle Barn in Okotoks. The registration will go from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at which time the public is invited to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers play in the Super Bowl game.

Anyone wanting more information concerning the Lions can call Wager at 403-938-6689.

[email protected]

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