The DVSS girls Rugby team is back on the field for another season, building camaraderie and having fun.
DVSS has fielded a team since 2014, although last season they teamed up with a Strathmore team because they were short on numbers. It was opportune as they went on to earn a provincial silver medal. They are back on the pitch and enjoying the game.
“They love the contact! It will surprise you how quickly they adjust to the physical aspect of the game. They also love the team aspect, you are taking girls from all different walks of life and getting them to work together on a common goal,” said coach Ryan Hatch. “I love how this game breaks down the barriers that divide so many of our kids these days, they have to work together to be successful and they get to know each other on a much different level.”
The popularity of the game has been on the rise over the last few years, especially in the women’s ranks. Coach Hatch attributes that to international success.
“I think there have been quite a few things that have raised interest but the most prevalent would have been the Canadian women’s 15’s making it to the Women’s Rugby World Cup Finals in 2014-2015,” said Hatch. “It showed a lot of these young women that this game is attainable for each of them. Quite a few of the girls on that team came through programs here in Alberta.”
He says one value that is learned on the rugby pitch is teamwork.
“I tell the girls that rugby is the ultimate team sport because no one person can win the game for you, teammates are critical,” he said.
“This team is a melting pot of cultures, we have a few girls that grew up here in Drumheller on the team but then we have a young lady from Mexico and a few girls from Nigeria on the team.”
While there is no league, they have been busy organizing exhibition teams from throughout the area.
“A league is something that we are looking at doing in the next year or so, but right now we are just playing exhibition games. Yes, it is hard to find games when you are outside of a major center like Calgary,” he said.
This Thursday the team is hosting Hanna. Game time is 5 p.m. After that, they are arranging an exhibition match versus a Calgary team the following week.
