Rainier Plateau Junior Rugby Club seeks players

The Rainier Plateau Junior Rugby club is seeking both female and male players for its upcoming spring rugby session. According to club spokesperson Andy Ramsay, the club looks to fill rosters on all of its boys and girls squads.

The Rainier Plateau Junior Rugby club is seeking both female and male players for its upcoming spring rugby session.

According to club spokesperson Andy Ramsay, the club looks to fill rosters on all of its boys and girls squads.

“The new season will commence in mid-January with a week of prospective player camps, intended to offer a free-of-charge opportunity for boys and girls who may have an interest in finding out if they feel this is a sport they would like to participate in,” Ramsay said, adding there was no commitment to play after the camps were over.

Once the regular season begins, team members can sign up, with practices taking place twice a week in the evenings at local high schools, including Auburn and Sumner.

“This schedule allows students to continue their commitments to other after school sports or club activities,” Ramsay said. “Students currently involved in wrestling, basketball and other winter sports will be welcomed after those seasons conclude in February.”

Ramsay continued:

“The rugby matches will commence in late February, with the boys playing on Saturdays and the girls on Sunday afternoons,” he said. “The season ends in early May with some byes around spring break. The girl’s team will be traveling to Vancouver Island, Canada for a two-game tour in April and will also be hosting teams from Oregon and Canada. The U17 and U19 boys team will have the opportunity to travel to Oregon to an annual preseason tournament.”

The club also offers a summer season, which last year produced the boys and girls U15 Washington State runner-ups.

The club hosts a series of informational sessions for prospective players and their children in December. For schedules and more information, visit the program’s website at www.rainierjuniorrugby.com, or at its Facebook page at RainierRFC.

“Rugby is a very inexpensive sport to play compared to other youth sports, which require extensive personal equipment and uniforms,” Ramsay said. “With rugby, the only real necessity is a pair of soccer or football cleats.”

Ramsay said financial aid and reduced fees were available for financially-challenged players.