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Hornets learning from challenges of first season in Premier Division rugby

Dec 22, 2017 | 10:08 AM

NANAIMO — After winning two cups and nearly a third in the 2016-17 rugby season the Nanaimo Hornets moved up a level to the Premier Division of BC Rugby.
 
It hasn’t been an easy road with one win in the first nine games but Hornets Director of Rugby Darren Wicks isn’t phased by the early results.
 
“We knew coming into this league that it was going to be difficult for us. But we also thought this was a necessary step for Nanaimo, to take that big jump to test our players,” said Wicks. “Part of the reason for the transition is because we were worried about losing players to the premier clubs had we stayed the course in first division. So we decided that we’ll keep our players that we have now and then we’ll also try to build and bring in new players.”
 
Wicks sees a three to four win season being a success, keeping in mind he has a five year plan the squad to reach their full potential at the Premier level.
 
The Hornets have an affiliation with Vancouver Island University that will continue to develop and an international flavour with players from Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji.
 
Part of taking the next step as an organization is to get more school kids involved locally according to Wicks. 
Aside from that Rugby Canada may be a help to the Hornets sooner rather than later.
 
Wicks says Rugby Canada directs carded Canadian players to the more established Premier programs.
 
The Hornets are hoping that there is a spinoff for their side as they gain more traction playing with the elite squads in BC.
 
To that end Wicks says he’s already receiving emails from players in and outside Nanaimo looking at joining the organization next year.
 
Currently the team is on hiatus for Christmas with the next match set for January 20 at UBC.
 
The Hornets don’t play at home again until January 27 against Seattle.
 
 
dan@nanaimonewsnow.com
 
On twitter: @danmarshall77