It may be the off-season for rugby players, but plans are well underway for the Bow Valley Rugby Club's 2020 season.

Among them is sending 60 boys and girls rugby players to Shawnigan Lake, Vancouver Island, in March for preseason preparations.

To assist the youth, there's an ugly sweater event is being held at The Venue on Dec. 20.

On Dec. 28, there's also a special showing of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker." Doors open at 9 a.m. and the show starts at 9:30 a.m. Besides watching the film, people will be able to bid on silent auction items.

Movie tickets are $15 and can be purchased by sending an etransfer to BVRCStarWars@yahoo.com.

Rob Harris, BVRC vice-president of youth programming, says the events are being staged to help make the trip as inclusive as possible.

"We are raising some funds to help keep the costs down for them so that it's inclusive as possible. We didn't want to price out anybody who really wants to go," says Harris.

Boys teams have done the tour before, but it's the first for one of the club's girls team.

"The great news is that we're able to take the girls this time. We're super excited about that."

"B.C. gets a slightly longer rugby season than we do, so we're able to go out there early and get our players prepared for the season here."

Before this, 32 youth will be participating in training at Winsport in the New Year.

Response to the program exceeded the club's original hopes of attracting 15 youth, says Harris.

"It's about identifying their strengths and weaknesses, getting fit and strong, and then delivering performance towards the end just before the season starts." 

The club hopes to repeat the success of the newbie sessions for girls that run from Jan. 6 to Mar. 20 at the SLS Family Sports Centre artificial turf. The result of last year's session lead to the formation of a U13 girls team that went on to win two cups, including the city championship.

The newbie sessions for boys runs from Feb. 28 to Mar. 27.

Adults won't be left out of the picture. There's indoors touch rugby on Friday nights starting Jan. 3.

At the club's recent annual general meeting a new board was elected. Long-time president and dedicated ruby enthusiast Adrian Turner stepped down and Jamie Snowden will take his place.