Building character through rugby

By Brad Underwood

Rugby is a sport of character. There is sportsmanship from beginning to end. There is respect; for your competitors, for the referee and for the game itself. There are champions performing on the field and there are larger than life characters both on and off the field.

James Bay Athletic Association has been a catalyst in the community for all of these things for over 125 years; developing championship teams in rugby, soccer, lacrosse, rowing, swimming and track over that time. Now JBAA has rebuilt its Youth Rugby Program and is sharing those character-building characteristics of the sport with young people from across the Capital Region. Currently a U14 team is actively competing in Vancouver Island Rugby Union competition and JBAA is forming a variety of sevens rugby teams for young girls and different age grades.

The objectives of this program are to provide young people in the community with an opportunity to play this character-building sport, provide mentoring opportunities for our youth with the experienced leaders and coaches that are members of JBAA and enhance the competitive level of the sport in the Capital Region.

MacDonald Park, the home field of JBAA has been undergoing extensive resurfacing this summer. During that time the JBAA Youth Program has been training at school fields around the Capital Region to increase exposure to the game for young students. Soon, we will return to MacDonald Park, for our senior men's programs (Saturday games) and for our youth programs (Sunday games). Come out and watch this exciting sport and experience the character-building lessons it provides for our young people.

The James Bay Athletic Association has opportunities to play in the U14 boys division (11 to 13 year old), or sevens rugby for U16/U14 girls and boys. If you know some young people who are interested in playing, please email Mr. Brad Underwood at bradjodi@telus.net.