The Nanaimo Hornets are playing exhibition matches ahead of their season which starts on Oct. 14.  The Division 2 women's team comes in to the campaign as defending provincial champions. (Nanaimo Hornets)

By Dan Marshall

On the Field

Nanaimo Hornets rugby returns with new season looming

Sep 19, 2023 | 5:32 AM

NANAIMO — The Hornets are gearing up for a new rugby season in men’s Division 1 and 3 and women’s Division 2.

Practices and exhibition games are well underwaywith the regular season set to commence October 14.

Nanaimo club president Brad Marshall has high expectations, especially for the women’s team who are reigning Division 2 champions from last season.

“I think the women are more than capable of defending the title this year. They’ve got all the numbers, the knowledge and the coaching staff.”

The men’s sides are dealing with some roster turnover and the hope is they can make continuous improvement throughout the year.

100+ transactions

Nanaimo workplace fraudster pocketed $133K

1h ago

competing pressures

'A very uncertain situation:' gas prices expected to rise through Nanaimo

14h ago

protected land

RDN secures Hamilton Marsh purchase

16h ago

“With the men we’re in a rebuilding phase,” Marshall said. “Some of our players had to take a step back this year. There are a few holes that we still need to fill but I still believe no matter the obstacles we have in our way that we will still make it to playoffs and give it a good run to win a cup.”

The Hornets recently set up a booth at VIU to educate potential new players about the program.

Marshall said they had eight people express interest and saw three of them at a recent training session. Practices are held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at May Bennett Pioneer Park.

Anyone with an interest in playing rugby is encouraged to show up and join in.

The last offering of the Hornet’s youth program was very successful and a new fall session is just getting underway.

“Last year we had 130 kids for our minis and youth program from age five to 13 and I expect that to grow. It’s cost effective for parents and the kids get a free meal as well. We really wanted to focus on that and building community, new relationships and friends.”

With a new season the Hornets also have a newly designed website.

Information on the teams at all levels and news on what’s happening with the club is available is available on the club’s website.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW