From The Originals. Rugby has now become a lifelong sport in Abbotsford with the addition of an old boys’ side to the Abbotsford Rugby Football Club.
“The Originals” play in the Pacific Northwest Old Boys Rugby League competing against teams from the Lower Mainland, Okanagan, Vancouver Island and Seattle.
“We are really pleased that The Originals will round out our rugby program in Abbotsford”, said ARFC president Chris Farley. “Our club now offers rugby from age five, with our mini program, right through to age 70-plus making it truly a lifelong pursuit.”
The formation of The Originals was spearheaded by a group of longtime Abby rugby guys who had ceased playing club rugby on Saturday. “With the club operating very successfully in Abbotsford for over 35 years we have a long storied history and a sizable core of players in the over 37 age group qualifying for the league and looking to continue playing rugby.” said Orginals President Shawn Rideout.
The Originals will draw on players from Abbotsford, Mission and Chilliwack. “We are an eastern valley team”, said Rideout. “Our friends at the Valley Vintage, based out of Langley, draw from the western valley and we always have good friendly competition with them.”
The Originals practice on Thursday evenings at Delair Park starting at 6:30 throughout the year except December and January. Games are on Sunday from September to the first week of December and resume in the spring from the first of February to the wrap up festival in the middle of May. The old boys’ league plays on Sunday freeing up players to participate, coach, or assist in club rugby on Saturdays.
Old boys’ rugby is full on rugby played in the true spirit of the game. Unlimited substitutions and a game divided into four quarters, providing additional breaks, makes the competition appropriate for players regardless of age or acuity of skills.
If you turn 38 sometime in this calendar year or are older and are looking to continue or re-start your rugby career contact
Shawn at 778-552-0259 or via email to: korideout@hotmail.com