With strong growth, the Bow Valley Rugby Club is once again expanding programming to girls in the U13 and U15 juniors program.

Steve Horton, Vice President of the Juniors, says they decided to create the two divisions after seeing growing interest since last August. Offering up a couple summer sessions last year and seeing ten to twelve girls consistently come out to play indoor touch rugby the club thought maybe they would have to combine the age groups but numbers proved otherwise. "We actually have seventeen girls from Cochrane signed up playing U13 and U15 girls and the local team the Saracens have asked to join in with us so we have four teams at U15 and U13 this year at the league in Calgary."

While local rugby has been highly profiled and dominated by the male league, Horton, shares there is a shift and it is filling a niche "I don't think rugby has ever been focused too much on women in the community enough in the past but people have been seeing how successful the Canadian's women team is, they are number three in the world at the moment, and with professional contracts and scholarships for women in rugby and a lot of that you don't even have for the guy's. I think in terms of filling a niche rugby is a sport that fits any size or any ability, there isn't a specific height or weight you need to be there is a position that will fit you on the team, so it gives an alternative sport for girls in Cochrane."

Attracting females to the league might also have to do with our local club's success. "We really work hard at building our relationship with the community. All our coaches are trained and we are very fortunate with people like Tyler Hawes, Coach of the Canada U18 team and Director of Rugby for the Club who has played for Canada, so we have people here who bring attention to the club from elsewhere."

Tyler Green, JoAnne Howard, Sarah Snowden and Sammy Crandell from the Saracens are coaching the girls and although Horton does not believe it is imperative for girls to have a female coach, he does feel the women are great role models.

Horton is hopeful that spreading the word will attract more girls to the U13 and U15 girls teams. With seeing strong girl representation in the younger age groups such as U7, U9 and U11...this is the next step. "We know there is a high percentage of girls that drop out of sports at this age so we are trying to encourage them now. So we'll start the program and build on the program; we want to expand again next year and rather than having to join other teams, have our own teams."

Girls practice Monday evenings between 6-8 pm at Mitford Ponds and game days are Wednesday and Saturday's either in Cochrane or Calgary.

If you have a girl at home that would like to try a free session they are welcome. "The training sessions are geared up for fun, learning and safety. We're not focused on winning we're focused on development and fun. The more girls we have interested in playing rugby, the better it is for the girls we already have and the town as it offers another sport for those girls we know drop out during their teenage lives."

For more information on Bow Valley Rugby Club, go HERE.