It was, in the opinion of the students, too hot to play rugby.

On an abnormally blistering early-May day, volunteers from the Sarnia Saints rugby organization were at St. Anne Catholic School to introduce the students to the sport as part of its ongoing focus of growing rugby at the grassroots level. Because of the sweaty conditions last week, the students initially asked if they could skip the session and stay in the temperature-controlled classroom. But their collective attitudes quickly changed, recalled Saints’ youth director Melissa Parker.

“By the end of it they were begging to keep going for the afternoon,” she said. “That was really nice to see.”

Among the volunteers the club has been sending to local schools are two English imports, Kurtis Knightley and Laurie Dobbin, who are visiting Sarnia this summer from Essex where they play for the Epping Upper Clapton club. The pair were at P.E. McGibbon Public School Thursday.

Sessions typically last around one hour, with the intent to have the students handle the ball and learn the basics of flag rugby.

“It has been an absolute hit. We are getting raving reviews from teachers and principals,” said Parker, a supply teacher with both local school boards. “Principals are e-mailing us and asking, ‘When can you come back? Because the kids absolutely love it.’”

A third import, Sarah Bradley, will be arriving later this month from Dorset, England where she plays for the Oakmeadians RFC. Bradley will be attending Lambton County schools, too.

The trio of imports will be playing for the Saints’ senior teams this season.

As part of the grassroots initiative, the Saints have run the in-school program, week-long summer skills camps for youth, and ‘Try Rugby’ days – get it? – but new this year is a non-contact, in-house flag program for the U8, U10 and U12 age groups. Called Kick-Off Rookie Rugby, it will be a different style of game than contact, with an emphasis on ball handling, aversion, and teamwork. Sarnia’s organization is following the Rugby Ontario kick start program’s concept of instilling the basics in new players.

“To have them understand what it means to play rugby, to be able to move and enjoy the sport,” Parker explained. “Because kids often haven’t been exposed to it, those kids that aren’t as athletic or have not had sporting opportunities, they find themselves engaged and enjoying it because they’re at the same learning level.”

The program coincides with a Rugby Canada initiative to promote the sport from the ground up. The national organization is piloting Rookie Rugby in a number of cities this summer. Sarnia, however, did not receive inclusion into this pilot project, so the Saints will instead run their own version of it. Differences will be minimal outside of the moniker.

It is an in-house program, but depending on the number of registrants there may be rugby festivals against other clubs.

Also returning this summer are the U18 boys and girls leagues, essentially a continuation of the high school season, beginning at the end of May. Last year the club had over 40 boys and 20 girls participate.

“We’re hoping to have a lot more girls this year as the program grows,” said Parker, the coach of the junior and senior girls St. Pat’s Fighting Irish high school sides.

The U18 program is 15-a-side, full-contact, rugby union rules. While they are competitive travel teams, all local players are welcome to participate.

Prior to the Saints senior men’s and women’s home openers May 23 at Norm Perry Park, there will be an open house to promote the kick start youth program and additional information available on the U18 league from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The new youth flag program is $100 for 10 weeks, starting June 6. For more information or to register, contact Parker at saintsjuniorwomen@gmail.com, or visit the Saints’ website sarniarugby.com.

terry.bridge@sunmedia.ca

@ObserverTerry