Warriors’ rugby plays waiting game

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This article was published 06/05/2021 (1866 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Eastman Warriors rugby players are back at it this spring, working out a couple of times a week, hoping that this summer they will at least be able to play some games.

It didn’t work out last year as the season never got off the ground due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Formerly the Southeast Thistles, the organization was renamed the Eastman Warriors last year, but have yet to play a game under that new banner.

Warriors’ president Isi Masi says the team has practising once or twice a week for the past month or so as they were able to get out early this year due to the early spring. Currently the team is practising Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. at the rugby pitch at A.D. Penner Park in Steinbach.

He says enthusiasm, despite the uncertainty of the season, has been strong with about 20 showing up to workout as they train for what they hope will be an actual season this year.

Masi is hopeful that the Warriors season, who will play in the Manitoba Rugby League’s Premier Division, will get underway sometime in July.

One of the reasons the club changed their name to the Eastman Warriors was to become more of a regional team and to primarily grow the program at the younger ages.

As such, the eight-week Kids Come Play Rugby program is set to launch next week in Steinbach.

There are two age-group programs, which will run from May 13 to July 3.

Mini Rugby is for kids born 2015-2017. It will involve a 40-minute session on Thursdays and/or Saturdays for children and their parents who will co-actively learn to run, pass, and kick a rugby ball.

Flag Rugby is for kids born 2077-2014, which will involve a 60-minute session, also on Thursdays and/or Saturdays. At this age, athletes are introduced to the key skills required for Manitoba Flag Rugby, which will include running, passing, kicking, catching and defensive flag removal. The second half of the season will build on skills learned in the first half with the introduction of playing full 7 aside games.

All Rugby Manitoba Return to Play protocols will be followed during the sessions and may be altered if Provincial Health Orders change.

Additional information on COVID restrictions, registrations for the kids programs and other rugby information is available on the Eastman Warriors website at eastmanwarriors.ca.