The Sea to Sky Eagles Rugby League Football Club is looking for a few good men from Squamish.
The relatively new club is part of the B.C. division of the Canada Rugby League (CRL) and is hoping to hit the field in May.
"Rugby League is a bit of a spin-off of Rugby Union," said Paul O'Keefe, the CRL development manager for B.C. "It's probably a faster game due to the fact that there's no rucks or mauls and you only have six plays to get the ball down the field."
O'Keefe explained that on the sixth play, the team possessing the ball must kick it away or hand over the possession to the opposition.
"It's a very quick game with lots of big hits," he said. "It's similar in terms of speed to a game like hockey, but you use a lot of the same skills you need in football like tackling, passing and catching."
There are also two fewer players (13) than in a Rugby Union game and a try is worth four instead of five points. The sport is blossoming in Ontario and O'Keefe hopes to see that same sort of growth in B.C.
"We had one exhibition game out here last year," he said. "But this season in B.C. we're looking at having at least four teams and running a season from May to July. We're trying to fit it in so that it doesn't interrupt with the Rugby Union schedule and gives players the chance to play both styles of the game."
O'Keefe said there are two teams in Vancouver, one in the Okanagan, one in 麻豆社国产and potentially a pair of teams on Vancouver Island. All teams will play a home and away series against each other starting in May. He said there is a lot of room for growth in the sport in Squamish.
"We really want to develop the sport out here," he said. "We've been talking to Quest University out here and want to get some of the college guys involved. We're hoping to get a skills development program going for Quest and Squamish."
O'Keefe said home games for the Eagles are still to be determined but he did say he's had talks with both Quest and Howe Sound Secondary officials about using their fields. Another opportunity for local players is the news that a B.C. rep team for the CRL will host tryouts in Vancouver on March 18, with a trial match on April 1. The team will travel and play other elite Rugby League teams in North America.
Another opportunity for those who may want to be involved but don't want to hit the field is the coach accreditation program in Vancouver on March 31. O'Keefe said the Eagles are always looking for help from volunteers and this could be a way for those past the age of playing to contribute. He added that the BCRL is looking into adding women's teams for next year.
"This is a way for people who might have played football or rugby in high school to continue enjoying the sport," he said. "It's opening doors for opportunities to play all over and even the chance to represent your province or country."
For more information on how to join the Eagles, contact head coach Ally Mac via email at [email protected].
