Last weekend Fernie hosted the Rucking in the Rockies festival of rugby, a chance to introduce the game to kids and hopefully inspire a life long love of the sport.
The turnout was great with over 50 children ages between two and 12 showing up.
Kids learned skills such as side stepping and taking on the tackle bags.
After learning on field skills kids enjoyed a bouncy castle, sunshine and Iggy’s food truck while the Bulls men and women took to the field for games against the Cranbrook Rogues and Missoula Betterside. Betterside eventually took the women’s trophy.
Standouts for the Bulls on the women’s side were Laquesha Tumaj, who scored three tries in her debut match, and Janey Yang.
The Bulls Men showed some promise for the coming season beating the Kootenay Crusaders and Missoula Maggots before going down to the Cranbrook Rogues. The Bulls met the Rogues again in the final, with Cranbrook prevailing.
Star for the Bulls was Brodie Majdell.
“Although we didn’t get the win, I’m super proud of the boys,” said Bulls Captain Alex Nunn. “Every single player put their body on the line and left everything on the pitch. We know what to work on now and I’m looking forward to a successful season.”
International referee Chris Assmus officiated the tournament and shared his knowledge as well.
Tournament organizer Lavinia McElwee and the rest of the EVRFC team were very pleased with the weekend and thankful to all the sponsors who helped them out.
Everyone who wants to try out rugby is welcome to come along to men’s and women’s training at 6:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Prentice Park. The next home games are on May 25th. Kids’ Rookie Rugby is every Saturday and registration is open on the Elk Valley Rugby Club website.
