The Nanaimo Hornets have been leading the charge locally in bringing more exposure to rugby for youth in Nanaimo by holding regular workouts and skills sessions over the summer. (submitted/Luke Bentvelzen)

By Dan Marshall

RUGBY RULES

Grassroots rugby initiative offering up new sporting challenge for Nanaimo youth

Sep 15, 2020 | 4:10 PM

NANAIMO — The BC Grassroots Rugby Foundation is up and running on Vancouver Island.

The program which uses rugby to teach kids social skills and physical literacy is running sessions in Nanaimo, Cowichan Valley and Victoria.

Nanaimo’s team lead Luke Bentvelzen said a crucial objective is to promote community involvement in the five to 15 year old age bracket.

“We work to provide opportunities for access to sport. Especially for low income and indigenous families, as well as new immigrants.”

Canadian national team player Clay Panga spearheaded the idea which gained the support of governing bodies Rugby Canada and BC Rugby.

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There are 10 staff members on the Island working to implement the program.

Bentvelzen is heading up the eight mid-island sessions which will conclude at the end of September and funnel into the start of the Nanaimo Hornets fall youth program.

Most of the sessions have had nearly 30 participants at May Bennett Pioneer Park.

“We let them know about the importance of fun,” said Bentvelzen. “They’ll be taught about proper preparation and stretching. Then we go through a socially distanced fundamental skills session and finish by playing some touch rugby.”

Nearly 75 per cent of the participants have no rugby experience while the remaining kids have been part of the Hornets youth program.

If the Grassroots program does draw kids to the sport they can continue on by joining the Hornets youth squad.

Bentveltzen said the COVID-19 pandemic has helped increase local interest from parents looking for new athletic opportunities for their kids.

The success of these current sessions will play a large role in the long term plan of seeing the grassroots program being expanded across the province.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77