KRC Mini Rugby

We are getting ready for another great year of mini rugby, and look forward to seeing lots of familiar faces, and hopefully lots of new ones as well. For those who are returning for another year, the registration form is available below. For those who are new to Mini Rugby, please check out the "NEW TO RUGBY" section.

Mini Rugby is open to all boys and girls between the ages of 4 (born in 2006) and 14 (born in 1996).

The 2010 season kicks off on April 11 at 11am. This will also be our registration day, so please come a little early so we can get the registration process out of the way as quickly as possible. We also like to start right on time at 11am each Sunday, so please ensure that you arrive ahead of time to get your kids on the field prior to 11am.

For kids born in 1999 or later, the registration fee is $110. For kids born in 1998 or earlier the fee is $125.

Download our registration form, and complete all required sections. NOTE that you can complete the form online but you wont be able to save any changes to it. Mail the completed form and registration fee (Cheques Payable to Kamloops Rugby Club) to:

So, your son or daughter has decided to play Rugby? DON'T PANIC! Rugby is a wonderful game, with a rich tradition both here in Canada and around the world. It is the contact game of choice for countries such as England, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Scotland and Wales. Throughout the world people play Rugby from grade school through adulthood. In fact, Rugby is truly a "Life Sport" because, unlike Football, players continue to participate in Rugby game long after they leave school. Players continue playing competitive rugby for years and years by joining local Men's or Women's clubs. Senior Clubs even have "Old Boys" teams composed of players over 35 years of age!

Rugby is definitely a "contact" sport, but it is not a brutal sport. In fact, it is much less violent than Football. There are several very good and logical reasons for this including the fact that contact, while vigorous, is much less dangerous than in football since neither blocking nor rigid protective equipment is allowed in Rugby. This means players are not getting 'blind-sided' by the unexpected blocker nor striking each other with 'armored' shoulders and helmets. Also, dirty or dangerous play is not tolerated, and the offending player may be ordered off the field or even suspended by his club or the local league. Rugby places as much importance on sportsmanship as on winning. Here are some other reasons rugby compares favorably with football:

1) Possession: Rugby is a game of possession, not yardage. Therefore coaching emphasizes passing the ball before being tackled as well as other skills aimed at keeping the ball in your teams possession, and not struggling ahead trying to gain a few more yards while the opponents entire team tries to drag you down.

2) No Blocking: (Surprise) Most think a lack of blocking makes the game more dangerous, but the fact is it makes rugby safer because defenders are not being blind sided by some sprinting lineman hoping to open a hole in the defense (and in the defender!). In football, space is created for a runner by brute force (blocking). In rugby space is created by guile and cunning (passing the ball and using misdirection). In Rugby, nearly all collisions between players is anticipated by both, and therefore better prepared for.

3) Tackling: Tacklers must wrap their arms when tackling. No 'rolling body block' type tackles aimed at an opponent's knees are allowed. Also, NO tackling is allowed above the shoulders. Also known as 'high tackling', it is strictly forbidden and quickly penalized if it occurs. This not only makes for safer play but for surer tackling. Coaches teach not only how to tackle but how to be tackled (i.e. how to fall so that you are protected and your team keeps possession of the ball).

Finally, the Rugby community is a unique group of individuals (and a group of unique individuals) who dare to try something different... a legendary game that mixes strength, speed and agility. A game that will forever welcome athletes of any and every size and shape. Success in rugby does require fitness, but first and foremost it requires that special person who's ready, willing and able to give it a go.

This year, we are desperately in need of volunteers to help with the administration of our program. Like any other amateur sport, there is no shortage of work to be done, and we are looking for volunteers to take on one or more of the following responsibilities:

Currently, there are only a couple of people doing the majority of the work, and we need some more hands to help with the workload. Our program needs to grow and expand into the community, but we cant do it without volunteers. If we dont get more voluteers involved, this may be the last year of the Mini Rugby Program as we know it, as the current volunteer base is reaching the point where they dont want to do it anymore - kids have moved on to other sports, or have simply gotten too old for mini rugby, or the volunteers would just like someone else to step in and help out.

So, if you want to get more involved with Mini Rugby, please contact our mini Rugby Director, Stacey Charlton at 250-571-0979 or via email at scharlton@golder.com.

Please contact our mini Rugby Director, Stacey Charlton at 250-571-0979 or via email at scharlton@golder.com.