Registration now open for youth and adults at Red Deer Titans Rugby Club

Age groups include U5, U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, U16, U18, and seniors’ teams for men and women.

The youth teams have two sections: competitive and community. Part of the Calgary Rugby Union, the competitive teams will frequently play weekend games in Calgary. For parents who don’t want to travel, the community teams will play locally.

While senior teams only have the competitive option to choose from, various divisions dictate the degree of seriousness within the games. For men, divisions two and three are more relaxed while division one is highly competitive. For women, there is one division for each level.

“At any age, we want you to come, wobbly legs, it doesn’t matter if you’ve ever done sports before. We want you to enjoy the community aspect of it, and that’s what rugby offers,” said Lewis. “With rugby, there’s so much diversity with body types and athletic ability that you can really take on anyone.”

For parents who may have reservations about the rough nature of rugby, without helmets and padding like football, Lewis says players are heavily taught the safety precautions over the year.

“I think a lot of times, if your sport is a contact sport, you’re safer than in sometimes sports that are rough and aren’t contact sports because you don’t learn how to absorb contact and tackle someone or get on the ground from a tackle. It’s interesting; it’s a lot safer than you would think it is,” she said.

Youth under nine will play without contact in a touch or flag-rugby setting, while U11 and U13 will have intro-to-contact games.

Lewis became part of the club roughly six years ago when she moved from Ontario. She says rugby is not only a family sport where participants are encouraged to bring their spouses and children, but a program where she has made some of her best friends.

“Going through a sporting endeavor with someone really brings you closer but with rugby, I would argue that it brings you super close because not only is it contact and you’re going to war, but after every game, every team that is the home team, we all have clubhouses, and we all host the away team for dinner. After you fight on the field and beat each other up, right after, you’re forced to look at each other, and share a meal with each other, and have drinks together,” she said, adding that players also appoint an MVP on the opposing team.

Before the season starts, those interested can begin with a free no-contact spring training session, held on March 31, April 7, 14, and 28, all from 12 – 2 p.m. at the MEGlobal Athletic Park in Lacombe (5644 56 Ave.).

Youth from age seven to 16 can also attend a free “try rugby event” from 12 – 3 p.m. on April 27 at the Titans field, where there will also be food and drinks available.

Registration is due by the first contact practice, expected to begin in May. Seasons for youth last until June while those for U15 and older end around August.

Practices are every Tuesday and Thursday evening, from 6 – 7 p.m. for youth and 7 – 8:30 p.m. for seniors.

Rental opportunities for the facility are also available for as low as $250 for 12 hours. The clubhouse has a full banquet hall, industrial kitchen, wet bar, projector, and more.

—–

Download the rdnewsNOW mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store for all the latest updates on this and other stories.

by Alessia Proietti

Registration now open for youth and adults at Red Deer Titans Rugby Club

What's Trending