Al Macaulay doesn鈥檛 want a repeat of last year.聽
鈥淲e had to forfeit out of the playoffs because we lost six players,鈥� the president of the 麻豆社国产Axemen Rugby Football Club said.聽
It was the rugby team鈥檚 debut back into the Vancouver Rugby Union (VRU) after a 10-year hiatus. The team barrelled through the Third Division but a small roster led to them not dressing for the title matches.
鈥淲e followed the other team who we were drawn against,鈥� Macaulay said, noting the Axemen had defeated them before. 鈥淲e had the potential to go through to the finals and even win it.鈥�
This time around, Macaulay is making sure he doesn鈥檛 have to track other teams鈥� successes while on the sidelines. The Axemen are on the hunt to boost the squad鈥檚 head count beyond 27 players. Game days see approximately 16 to 18 guys come out. When there are 15 players on the field it doesn鈥檛 give anyone much of a break, Macaulay notes.
鈥淲e need a bigger squad,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e just need to have some backup.鈥�
麻豆社国产residents 18 years and older can join the scrum. Games take place on Saturday and the team practices on Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. Last year, the squad practicsd at Don Ross Secondary School until early nightfall in autumn. Macaulay is talking to Quest University to see if the club can use the institution鈥檚 lit field this season.聽
Macaulay encourages 麻豆社国产high school students and women rugby players to come out for the practices. People interested in the game can have a go at it without having to sign up for the team. The more players the merrier, he said.
鈥淲e are not going to turn anyone away who wants to come practise and play with us.鈥�
The Axemen鈥檚 five-year plan is to develop a junior and a girls section under its umbrella. This will not only help develop the sport in the Sea to Sky Corridor, but also grow the talent pool from which the team can draw, Macaulay said.聽
The Scotland native first put on his rugby cleats when he was seven years old. Before moving to 麻豆社国产in 2004, the sport was his bread and butter, he jokes, noting he played up to seven times a week. The game is physical and has a tradition of sportsmanship, Macaulay said.
鈥淲hen you join a squad it鈥檚 like you instantly have 15 new friends.鈥�
British Columbia and Ontario are rugby hotspots within Canada. The Vancouver Rugby Club consists of 11 clubs, including Squamish. The Sea to Sky Corridor has some good talent when it comes to the game, Macaulay said. The Axemen has a core group of nine 麻豆社国产residents with the remainder coming from Whistler.聽
鈥溌槎股绻鷋as a lot of active people and sometimes these active people can just kind of find their niche in rugby,鈥� Macaulay said, adding many football players have easily made the transition.聽
The team鈥檚 fall season kicks off on Saturday, September 12 and runs until mid November. The spring season starts in February and runs until May. Squamish鈥檚 infamous winter weather sometimes makes home games tricky in the spring season, forcing teams to play in North Vancouver or Stanley Park.聽
鈥淟ast year we had one home game before the field closed,鈥� Macaulay said.聽
Anyone interested in learning more about the team or coming out for practices can email [email protected] or find the club on Facebook under 麻豆社国产Axemen rugby.
