Local ruggers trying to scoop up funds to play on provincial teams
It’s no secret that Pictou County can produce rugby talent.
Several Northumberland Regional High School and North Nova Education Centre rugby players have earned spots on Rugby Nova Scotia U18 and U16 provincial teams.
To offset some of the fees, Rugby NS has been provided a ‘sweet’ fundraising opportunity. On June 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., players and their parents will be on hand at the Polymer Road parking lot just past the Agropur/Scotsburn Ice Cream plant (85 Blakeney Dr.) in the Truro Industrial Park, selling off 11.4L tubs of ice cream for $20 each – a roughly 50 per cent saving.
Sales will be on a first-come, first-served basis due to some of the flavours being in limited supply, and payable by cash or a cheque made out to Rugby NS.
Jennifer MacLennan, assistant product manager with Agropur, and whose two sons, Tyler and Justin, are playing for the teams, has helped co-ordinate the fundraiser through the company.
“It was an excellent opportunity, as we’ve had a number of tubs of ice cream that we’ve got an excess amount of inventory in that we need to clear out to create more space in our warehouse,” she said.
“I spoke to management and told them the situation the athletes were in, and asked if it might be possible for us to help sell off the ice cream to raise these much-needed funds.
It ends up being a win-win for everyone. We clear out the inventory (and) the teams raise money for their trips to compete.”
The cost to participate on these provincial teams is steep: $1,000 for U16 players and $2,000 for those on the U18 team.
The fees are to cover travel expenses incurred to compete at the Eastern Canadians in Newfoundland and Labrador, July 6-9 for both teams, and for a trip to Calgary in August for U18 nationals.
For more information on the fundraiser, contact MacLennan at jennifermaclennan@scotsburn.com.