Mini Pagans growing
Building from the bottom up
The Peterborough Pagans rugby club is building from the bottom up.
The expansion of the Pagans mini program, for children 12and-under, insures the province's second largest club will continue to prosper.
The club hosted an annual mini festival Sunday with six visiting clubs joining eight Pagans teams in three divisions for games on four pitches at Nicholls Oval.
The mini Pagans started 13 years ago with 30 children and this year has 120 among four age groups including U6. The minis practice and play every Friday night and travel to tournaments.
Minis coach James Brake said the emphasis is on skills development in a fun and social environment.
“There is a community element to it,” said Brake. “It's a big community, great park and great location. Now that we have the splash pad it's even better. It's about learning and development for the kids rather than competition. It's like a big game of tag.”
The children play flag rugby from U10 down with modified tackling introduced at U12. Girls and boys played together until they graduate from U12.
Girls rugby is among the fastest growing sports in Canada and it's no different in Peterborough.
“It's the only contact sport they can play unless they are playing with the boys,” said Brake.
“We have so many girls we were able to field an all girls U12 team today,” said coach Rick Nydham.
Each Ontario club hosts its own mini tournament absorbing all the costs.
“We're not
like
soccer
or lacrosse where there are fees involved for tournaments,” said Brake. “The club hosts the tournament and its free of charge. Today we have almost 450 kids here and nobody paid to be here. We supply a hot dog and drink for each player and coach. The barbecue is open for everybody else at a cost. The clubs contribute a lot of money to insure these programs run. It's that community feel to building the game.”
Maddie Wood, 12, is in her fourth year with the Pagans and one of four children in her family playing rugby.
“It's a sport anybody can play,” said Wood. “I like being competitive and it's also a game you learn in stages here in Peterborough. It's fun. It's my second year in tackle and it's definitely a lot more exciting.”
Matilda Debues, 12, is in her fourth year as well and admits being nervous about tackle rugby until her older brother and coach Rowan Debues taught her the finer points.
“He took me into the backyard to practice and he was my tackle dummy,” she said. “I find it very enjoyable and fun. I get angry sometimes so it's nice to be able to express it in sports.”
Jacob Angermann, 11, is in his first year and was inspired by older sister Hannah, who is off to play rugby at Queen's University, to give it a try.
“I'm definitely going to play next year,” Angermann said. “I like the tackling and the experience of playing a new sport.”
Braden Bruce, 12, is in his second year.
“It's my favourite sport because I'm really into contact sports,” said Bruce. “My sister (Harlee) started playing, she plays for the Ontario U16 team, and I wanted to try it.”