Spartan rugby has high expectations

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Strathmore Spartan girls rugby team is splitting into two squads with the addition of athletes from Drumheller and Holy Cross Collegiate.
Head coach Jerry Flaws said he didn’t want to cut any players because of the increases interest.
“It’ll help us develop a lot more because the Grade 10s that may only play 10 minutes a game on a normal year are going to be able to play almost an entire game on the other team for the full season,” said Flaws. “They’re going to have a full season under their belt instead of just a partial season. It should definitely add some motivation for the girls to work hard and try to make that top team.”
Flaws mentioned that they’ll still be playing the same amount of games as before, but will be playing more exhibitions.
“I would like to see both teams highly competitive,” said Flaws. “Our first squad should be fighting for a league title and should be right near the top. And the second squad I don’t see why they can’t be up there in the Top 5 with the first squad. I would like to see some high results going into zones.”
He added that they always hope to rely on the leadership from the older kids because every year there is one-third of the team that doesn’t know the sport and it’s back to the basic fundamentals.
The team will play a sevens tournament, which is a seven players on each side competition, in Springbank and in Calgary, while they will be hosting their annual Ice Breaker Tournament on April 30.