Youth movement
The P.E.I. Mudmen ready to start another season; women’s premier team set to launch
It might seem like a youth movement, but long-time P.E.I. Mudmen organizer and player Phil Gallant is more than happy to welcome new ruggers into the Charlottetown-based club his season.
“There’s lots of new faces. A lot of young guys from the high school level,” said Gallant.
The influx is a result of getting its name out there, letting the rugby-watching community know the Mudmen are a quality organization which has reached the Nova Scotia Senior Rugby League division one final the last three years.
The work is paying off, too, as the Mudmen play the Nova Scotia-based Keltic All-Stars, arguably a level or two above the club, May 27 in Truro, N.S., in a friendly exhibition match.
“It’s a huge compliment that they think we’re high enough competition for them,” said Gallant.
The game is one of several new events for the club this season.
First, the league is transitioning to a regulation system.
Division one is expanding to eight teams and the second and third divisions are combining to make a single division. The top teams in the second division will move up to the first division for the following season, while the division one bottom feeders will move down to the lower division.
Meanwhile, the Maritime Elite which features teams from New Brunswick will continue with the division one Mudmen included.
The Mudmen fielded a dominant third division team last season but, Gallant said, the club likes the new combined system because it gives the Mudmen’s third division team stronger competition.
“That’s the game plan. It’s a good thing. It’s going to allow us to take a step up,” Gallant said.
Also, a new women’s premier team is set to launch Sunday in an exhibition game this weekend in Halifax. The team is part of the new Charlottetown Rugby Football Club.
“There’s a really good blend of players and a lot of talent,” said Gallant.
The Halifax Tars has ruined the Mudmen’s title hopes for several seasons, including the last three, but Gallant has nothing but respect for the Nova Scotia club and likes to model the Mudmen after the consistently strong organization.
Still, that doesn’t mean the club isn’t looking for the secret to beating its nemesis.
“We need to be better on (championship) day. Maybe the fifth time is the charm. We’re an elite team and proud of that and hopefully we can put that all together at the send of the season… and find a way to get over the hump.”
The Mudman start the regular season June 24 on the road. The July 1 weekend will feature a triple-header with the Mudmen first and second division teams and the women’s premier division team playing on the same day.