On Apr. 30 the Elk Valley Bulls Rugby Football Club (RFC) hosted a mini tournament at the Fernie High School pitch. According to the President of the Elk Valley Rugby Club, Peter Dudman, they had three other teams come to Fernie to play.
“Today we are hosting our first ever mini tournament, we are hosting a team from Cranbrook, the Rocky Mountain Rouges, a team from Okotoks, the Foothills Lions, we also have a team from Cochrane, who are the Bow Valley Grizzlies,” he said.
By noon the Bulls were halfway through their second game after losing a close game earlier that day to the Okotoks’ squad.
“We are halfway through our second game, the first game the Elk Valley Bulls lost to the Foothills Lions 24 to 21 in a very tight game. It was a really good game, we dominated and set paces but they just had the youth and the speed outside,” Dudman said. “They just had the legs on the outside to get them over in the end.”
While there were not enough ladies in attendance for a contact game the squad put on a demonstration playing a touch flag game in hopes to get more female participation for the squad.
“The ladies, unfortunately did not have the numbers they wanted in order to have a full contact game. The other clubs couldn’t bring their ladies with them so they are just going to have a touch flag game right now as more of a demonstration for people to see and hopefully drum up some more interest,” he said. “There are quite a lot of girls in Fernie that want to play, we just need a few more to get them over the line.”
More information on the club can be found through their Facebook page, Elk Valley RFC and they always welcome new players with or without rugby experience.
“We’re always welcoming new members, both men and women, no experience needed. Anyone interested can contact us through the Facebook page,” said Dudman.