Secondary school boys rugby teams from Williams Lake and 100 Mile House played their final autumn games on Thursday, Oct. 19 in Williams Lake.
The Lake City Secondary seniors won both their games against Peter Skene Odgen with scores of 29-7 and 15-5. Peter Skene Ogden juniors emerged the winners of both games against Columneetza, 17-10 and 24-0.
Williams Lake coach Braden McCallum said the seniors played amazingly.
“It was probably the best we have played all year. They looked awesome,” he said after the games.
“They passed well and were positioned well. If we can carry that momentum into our 15s season, we are going to be in a great spot.”
The juniors are learning, he added, noting there are several Grade 8s and 9s on the team, and some new players who are still trying to figure out the game.
“It’s wonderful,” he said. “I have 30 athletes from Grade 8 through to Grade 12. It’s almost the most I’ve ever had and the most First Nations athletes that I have ever had. It’s absolutely awesome.”
He said the boys rugby program has never been stronger and he hopes to help build it to become even stronger for years to come.
100 Mile House coach Kameron Taylor said it was a good day for his teams.
“It went really well,” he said.
Taylor said he prefers to call it “winning and learning,” rather than losing.
“The learning dictates what we can practise on next time,” he said. “When you do everything right, it’s hard to decide what you should practise on.”
He said his juniors were very impressive.
“They hardly won any games last year. They are winning a lot this year, which is great.”
For the seniors it has been about finding chemistry as a team, he explained.
“We lost a lot of players from last year and lost that natural chemistry so it’s about filling those spots and constantly being at practices.”
He said he has noticed in previous years, when players missed practices they would be “totally lost.”
“Last year everybody was at every single practice and they had good chemistry that way. All in all, the seniors have to get used to being together at every single practice for them to start achieving.”
McCallum said boys rugby will pick up again in March 2024.
He hopes the Williams Lake teams will get the opportunity to compete in Kamloops, maybe play a game with Barriere and go to Surrey where they have been invited.
“We also hope to get some teams to travel up here so we can showcase rugby in Williams Lake as well,” he said.
Last weekend the Williams Lake teams travelled to Prince George. There the juniors played against Prince George and the seniors played against 100 Mile House.
“Rugby in the north is really starting to grow,” he said.
While practices began as soon as school started in September, he said some players wanted to start earlier.
“They are that excited. They are that into the game. It’s amazing.”
McCallum also gave a shout out to Max Goldman who refereed the games Thursday.
Taylor said they will be hosting the girls rugby team from Williams Lake Wednesday, Oct. 25 in 100 Mile House.
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