A nationwide introductory rugby program is set to arrive in the Foothills.
Rugby Alberta is hosting a Rookie Rugby Try Rugby Day with the Foothills Lions Rugby Club on July 25.
“A Try Rugby Day will get more kids excited about getting back to playing rugby,” said Callie Eagleton, a youth co-ordinator for rookie rugby with Rugby Alberta. “As well as get kids that have never touched a ball before, familiar with the sport many know and love.”
As Eagleton explained the program is for all ages with a goal of providing both teachers and coaches with a safe, fun and inclusive non-contact curriculum to introduce the global game to both children and young adults.
She can speak to the virtues of the sport first-hand.
Eagleton played high school rugby at Foothills Composite as well as at the club level with the Lions. She has since gone on to play with the University of Calgary Dinos squad and on the Sr. Women's Wolfpack, parlaying her development into a spot onto the U20 national squad in 2020.
"I was introduced to rugby when I was 15, in high school at the Foothills Comp," she said. "I had never heard of the sport and thought it would be a ton of fun to try. Little did I know it would become one of the most important things in my life."
The curriculum is game-based, flag rugby geared towards all ages and abilities with the primary targets of active starts, FUNdamentals and learn to train.
Falling under the LTAD (long term athletic development) pathway the aim is to provide a platform for skill development through physical literacy and promoting active lifestyles through sport.
Participants can expect to work on the skills and movements of running, catching, throwing, jumping, pushing and pulling, agility, balance and stability, co-ordination and speed.
The Try Rugby Day programming will include obstacle course for the younger kids, kicking drills and games, testing for agility, broad jump and 10m dash as well as games of rush rugby.
For those on the fence about giving it a go, Eagleton strongly encouraged taking a leap of faith in the game.
"I would tell that person that they would never regret coming out to a rugby game or practice," she said. "Being in an environment with all different kinds of people is fantastic. Making friends while being active is just something you can’t pass up.
"Rugby is an unbelievable sport I wish was more popular - but that is our goal with Rookie Rugby is to spread the sport to people who may have never heard of it or never tried it out. We encourage everyone."
At the Okotoks sessions, there will be groupings for the U7 to U9 ages, U11 to U13 groups, U15 to U17 as well as the U19 and seniors together.
Each group will be in separate one hour sessions beginning at 10 a.m. There is no cost to participate.
For more information on the event email [email protected].
