Rugby expands again this year

WAVERLEY - Growing Demand And Interest In A Waverley-based Children's Summer Rugby Program Has Allowed Organizers To Expand Their Offerings As They Enter Their Third Season.

"When we first started this, we didn't know it would do what it's doing. The feedback is so unbelievable," said coordinator and rugby coach Steve Lenihan.

Lenihan and his wife, Marianne, started the mini rugby program in 2006 with a handful of about 24 children whose parents played rugby. By the time the Lenihans started the 2007 season, they had attracted about 100 participants between the ages of three and 13. The younger children played non-contact rugby, while the oldest group had some contact. Last year's summer session was so successful, Lenihan was able to offer a fall program.

The Riverlake RFC (Rugby Football Club) offers the only mini rugby program east of Toronto. Until Lenihan and a handful of trained rugby coaches offered the summer program, children who weren't yet in high school had no opportunity to play organized rugby.

As the club prepares to enter its third season, Lenihan has added Under 15 and Under 18 leagues for teenaged boys and girls. In addition to attracting many young rugby players who play on their local high school teams and who want to join a summer league, Lenihan is excited about introducing teenaged females to the game.

"There's not always a whole lot of opportunities for teenage girls to be active, at the junior high age especially. My wife wants to help change that," Lenihan said. "That's why we're offering the summer league for girls under 15, the age group where they typically stop playing sports like basketball and soccer. We're really excited about giving them something new to try."

Rugby for adults

Lenihan also plans to offer flag rugby sessions for adults, and he stresses no previous knowledge of rugby is necessary.

With the exception of rugby players in the off-season or preseason, there is no organized flag rugby being offered locally for grown-ups. Lenihan hopes to offer the first session at the end of this month.

"Although we have not run a session yet, there appears to be huge interest," he said. "This is a new sport and activity for grown-ups who typically don't get much time to be active. Dragging the kids around is usually the limit."

The Riverlake club now boasts its own clubhouse in Windsor Junction. Club members moved in this February and have been able to use it for off season strength and aerobics training. They've also received a federal government grant to hire a summer student to help with the summer programming, and recently received sponsorship assistance from The Quarry in Waverley.

"The older kids need jerseys to wear, and The Quarry bought uniforms. Now we're hoping other local businesses will be able to step up and help," Lenihan said.

Lenihan said the club is also offering their expertise to schools interested in offering rugby sessions for students.

"We just want to give the kids a new experience, and a lot of phys-ed teachers don't have rugby experience or the rugby balls," he said. "We can help with all that."

The next step for Lenihan is securing a dedicated facility in the Fall River-Waverley area that could be used for rugby, football and soccer.

"The Eastern Canadian (rugby) championships are being held in 2010 somewhere in Nova Scotia, and I'd like it to be in Waverley," he said.

Registration for the summer mini rugby program is ongoing. Age categories range from three to 18.

Visit www.riverlakerfc.com for more information.

ydentremont@hfxnews.ca