ThereB次元官网网址檚 a balance to running a rugby club that is expected to compete amongst the elite teams in the province, but also put up with everyday scheduling conflicts.
Such is community rugby. But this isnB次元官网网址檛 any rugby community. ItB次元官网网址檚 Oak Bay.
Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 Castaway Wanderers rugby club dates back to 1906 and its history is storied. The womenB次元官网网址檚 premier program didnB次元官网网址檛 even exist until five years ago when it promptly won the B.C. premier title and interrupted the Westshore (Velox Valkyries) womenB次元官网网址檚 Island monopoly.
The B.C. Premier League menB次元官网网址檚 season starts Saturday when the Castaway Wanderers host the always-dangerous, always fast UVic Vikes at Windsor Park. It starts with the 12:45 p.m. premier menB次元官网网址檚 reserve game followed by the premier men at 2:45 p.m. CW premier women start Saturday, Sept. 14, versus Westshore, 11 a.m. at Windsor Park, followed by the CW premier men hosting Westshore men at 2:30 p.m.
Ex-national player Jess Dovanne helped coach that CW 2016 champion womenB次元官网网址檚 team and is now the premier womenB次元官网网址檚 head coach. The 2015-16 season was a great start for the CW womenB次元官网网址檚 program but they have yet to make the B.C. premier finals since. This year, again, they have a core of established players. National player Julia Folk at scrum half and provincial player Lauren Sargent at fly half lead a crew of players that include ex-Vikes and others with national aspirations.
B次元官网网址淭here is a mix of players, some who aspire to the national team, some who just want to play rugby and run around,B次元官网网址� Dovanne said.
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| Scrum half Julia Folk, coach Jess Dovanne and fly half Lauren Sargent make the C W sign as the Castaway Wanderers premier women's team readies for the rugby season. (Travis Paterson/B次元官网网址 Staff) |
The key is finding balance, but Dovanne also has some strong expectations from her premier squad.
This year the women will start with a premier team and in December, launch a Div. 1 team at a developmental level.
Dovanne is also excited to announce a coaching staff that includes Amy Hawkings, Katie McNally and Rosie Lang, all university varsity players who have now hung up the playing cleats.
Likewise, on the menB次元官网网址檚 side, longtime CW captain Kenny Goodland, who won multiple provincial championships, is now the forwards coach with head coach Scott Manning.
B次元官网网址淲e have just over 40 guys which is great for this time of year,B次元官网网址� Goodland said.
One of the biggest challenges is fitting in players who canB次元官网网址檛 always make it to all training sessions, or even matches, Goodland said. CW men have won the last three straight Barnard Cup titles as Island champs but have been unable to turn that into a provincial title.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a hard balance sometimes, guys have to work, so we know some guys arenB次元官网网址檛 always available. If weB次元官网网址檙e adaptable, and flexible, we should be successful,B次元官网网址� Goodland said. B次元官网网址淭here are premier players here who have expectations and aspirations beyond this club and we try to support them in that as best we can.B次元官网网址�
That includes what to do during off days between training, and how to develop as an athlete.
However, some guys will get a surprise when it comes to selection time, Goodland said.
B次元官网网址淭here is always a surprise along the way,B次元官网网址� Goodland said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 when theyB次元官网网址檒l find out they havenB次元官网网址檛 been working hard enough.B次元官网网址�
CanadaB次元官网网址檚 menB次元官网网址檚 team competing in the Rugby World Cup in Japan features former Castaway Wanderers players Hubert Buydens, Ciaran Hearn, Jake Ilnicki and Djustice Sears-Duru, as well as Oak Bay High grads Phil Mack and Luke Campbell (who both played club with James Bay).
