The Axemen Women’s Rugby Club is launching a five-week “Try Rugby” program for girls ages 13-18 at Howe Sound Secondary School Field. Beginning on Feb. 4, the free program will run every Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. until March 4.
Girls of all skill levels are welcome to join the non-contact program, and can register online. The program is taught by coach Mel Michener, Axemen player Chrissie Arnold, and Sam Byrne, the athletic director at Howe Sound Secondary School. The club is funded entirely by Rugby Canada’s ‘Let’s Play Rugby’ grant.
“Honestly, [rugby] is probably the most important thing that I did in my life,” said Chrissie Arnold, one of the coaches. “At this point I’m thinking, how can I offer that opportunity to girls in our community?”
The goal of the program is to create a low-barrier, welcoming entry point for girls to try rugby. While participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, attendance is flexible. Practices will include games and drills, focusing on fun, movement and fundamental rugby skills like catching and passing.
According to Arnold, rugby is also a great way to build relationships. Because there’s so much emphasis on individual sports in the Sea to Sky corridor, Arnold hopes the program can make Squamish a ‘landing spot’ for team sports too.
Following Canada’s second place finish at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, interest in women’s rugby is growing. If interest in Squamish is strong, the Axemen Women’s Rugby Club hope to help establish a girls’ rugby team at Howe Sound Secondary School this spring.
