Otago Rugby Club will be sponsoring a rookie rugby mini-camp to introduce seven- to 12-year-olds to the game.
The non-contact session will be held on October 26 from 1 to 4 pm for young people who wish to learn rugby in a fun and accessible setting at Cranberry Field.
Brian Janes, one of the organizers for Otago, said the club is building off the interest and enthusiasm that was shown at last year’s camp.
“I’m a parent and I have three kids,” said Janes. “I’d been out of rugby for about 15 years but I joined Otago this summer. It was my opportunity to get in and bring my nine-year-old son.
“I want to introduce my son to rugby and expose him to the sport.”
Janes said there has been an injection of some new team members who have children and youth.
“We have an interest in bringing rugby to the youth,” said Janes. “There’s an enthusiasm building on the interest that was shown last year in integrating young people into the sport.”
On the day of the mini-camp, the participants will start off with a series of exercises designed to get kids familiar with some of the basic rugby skills, said Janes. “We want them to learn skills like passing and moving the ball, moving the ball backwards and being in a position to receive a pass. So, we will be playing games targeted at learning those specific skills.”
Janes said after the first session, the participants will have some drinks and snacks, then get back on the field and build on the skills that were taught.
“The idea is just to have a really fundamental, basic understanding of where to put yourself to receive a ball, then some general defensive positioning.”
After, the participants will get into playing some mini-games that will be non-contact and intended to be fun.
“That’s really the key thing for the day,” said Janes. “All of us who have played rugby know it’s so much fun.
“Rugby makes use of athletes of all different sizes and shapes, so everyone’s got something they can bring to the table. We’re going to really emphasize that rugby is a super-inclusive, accessible sport and that it’s just a blast to be out there, running around and throwing this super fun ball around. The best way to learn is to actually play the game, so that’s how we are going to finish off the mini-camp.”
By the end of the day, participants will have an understanding of the game and how to play the positions.
“Throughout it all, there is going to be a lot of instruction and we’re going to have some club members out there helping,” said Janes. “We’ll have lots of support to move kids through all the different activities.”
After the on-field activities, there will be more snacks and drinks for the young players.
Janes said Otago is hoping to build a culture of rugby with a younger demographic that can perhaps feed a high school team, and ultimately, the senior side. The team is also hoping to build interest in women’s rugby, which is growing with Otago.
To reach out or register, which costs $35 per participant, email [email protected]. Registration includes a t-shirt and Rugby Canada registration and insurance. Registration closes on October 20.
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