COCHRANE— The Bow Valley Rugby Club is finalizing its plans for the upcoming 2021 season, which is going ahead with some changes to the way the game will be played.
The club was forced to cancel the 2020 season, but they are excited to be able to offer the program to those interested in Cochrane again this year.
“It might not be rugby quite as we know it. At the moment, it isn’t full contact rugby, it will probably be more exercise and touch rugby,” said club manager Francine Horton.
She added that once provincial guidelines allow, the Club will be revisiting the structure of the games to include full-contact options for those who want to partake in the traditional way the game is played.
“Hopefully we’ll move into the next stage at some point and we’ll be playing rugby that’s more recognizable,” she said.
The programming will be offered to all age groups from children as young as five to adults.
Typically the season runs through May and June before breaking for the summer months and resuming in the fall for the younger children. The adult leagues run through the summer.
Horton said the Club is considering some different options to provide some flexibility for families and individuals who chose to register, and to find the most cost-effective option for the club.
“We’ve got a couple of options, we can either try and run through the whole summer or we can give people a 12-week option. We’re still trying to figure out what the best move is,” she said.
The Bow Valley Rugby Club has a focus on being inclusive and ensuring that all of those that come out to play get an opportunity to play.
“They’re never going to get left on the bench, we let everyone play. If you show up you play. We don’t do tryouts, we don’t do cuts,” she said. “There’s no fun in that. Nobody wants to do that.”
Horton said she and the Club want to give children a place to go where they can feel comfortable and build confidence in themselves, and that rugby is the perfect sport to achieve those goals.
Now is the perfect time to try rugby if you are a newcomer, Horton said, as this season the registration fees will be a lot lower than other seasons due to the lack of league play.
“If anyone is really keen to come and try rugby, now is the time to do it. It’s probably not going to be full-contact rugby— It’s going to be touch. It’s a great time to come and see if you like handling the ball and to see if you like the way the game is laid out. It’s a great year to come and try, and you might like full-contact when we get back to playing it.”
The details of the upcoming season are being finalized and registration for the upcoming season is scheduled to open near the end of the month.
Keep an eye on the Bow Valley Rugby Club on Facebook and bowvalleyrugby.com for specific dates and details.
