The Hornets women's rugby team will vie for an Island title on Nov. 26 while the men's teams have entered a two month break. (Nanaimo Hornets Rugby)

By Dan Marshall

One More Try

Nanaimo Hornets women’s rugby team vies for Island title

Nov 25, 2022 | 3:02 PM

NANAIMO — There’s only one game left in 2022 for the Nanaimo Hornets rugby program.

The women’s team will battle the Castaway Wanderers #2 team for the Island championship in Victoria on Saturday, Nov. 26

Hornets president Nick Scott said the 4-1 women beat Castaway’s #1 squad 31-17 in the semi final.

“They’ve had some really strong games heading into this final. For the first time in a long time we’ve had nearly had 20 women registered and playing with the team and that’s a real positive.”

Once the final is complete the women will join the Hornets men’s sides on a nearly two month break.

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Scott said while the men are in the middle of the season the women will start a completely new campaign in 2023.

“We’ve put in for the schedule we’d like to see for late January and early February. BC Rugby will put a schedule probably in mid-December.”

The men’s schedule resumes Jan. 28 with a home triple header against UVic at Pioneer Park.

Scott has high hopes for the Division 1 team especially.

“Our Division 1 men are sitting seventh on the ladder out of 21 teams and there’s been a couple of near misses that could have gone the other way. Definitely this is one of the strongest teams we’ve had in the last few years. With our third division team we’re still in mostly a development phase with them.”

The Hornets mini and youth programs have been popular this fall with 92 kids registered and 20 rotating coaches.

“Provincial and local funding as well as sponsorship has allowed us to provide cleats for 60 kids so they an be part of the program. Every kid has received a jersey they can take home, it’s about developing a culture within the club.”

At the youth level there’s a focus on skill development but Scott is hopeful to see interclub games added in 2023.

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