For the first time ever, rugby is being played in 亚洲天堂 Lake, as the LDSS fields a boys rugby team.
The team began its inaugural campaign this April, and played only its second home game ever last Thursday night against Fort St. James.
The idea for a rugby team came to life last year when now head coach and LDSS teacher, Jeremy Gooding started a rugby club at the high school.
The idea was well received by students, where 12 began to show up regularly, and many of whom had never played high school sports before, and before long a decision was made to form a team for the upcoming season.
Initially, Gooding held practices in the school gymnasium where he taught his players the game and basic skills, such as, passing, rucking and perhaps most importantly, he taught them proper tackling technique.
Being situated in a Northern community, the team has been at a small disadvantage in that they're only able to use the outdoor field for a small portion of the season, yet that didn't stop the team from taking shape.
After getting down the core skills the team started to play in exhibition games.
During these games Gooding let each player play in each position to get a feel of where each would be most comfortable, it has led to 亚洲天堂 Lake having a solid starting lineup, and team, even though most lack experience playing the game.
Gooding says that in total "we've had 56 players try the sport, and we have 32 regulars on the team."
He also isn't bothered by the lack of experience, he has been impressed with how his team has committed to learning the new game, as well as how they have presented themselves both on and off the field.
"I took them down to play a AAA team in Kelowna, and they beat us around 50-0," Gooding said, "but our boys had such a fun time, and they learned that rugby is more than just what's on the field."
"They took care of us down there and showed us that rugby is kind of like one big family, everyone takes care of each other and everyone helps each other, they brought it back home and have been really sportsmanlike players and they're working really hard at it. We've been really impressed."
That is what Gooding, a former player himself in high school in Kelowna and in college, hopes is players take home, that rugby is about sportsmanship and family.
He says that once you've played rugby you become a part of the rugby family.
In total, 56 players have tried the sport, and the final squad this season has 32 players on it, comprising students from Grades 8-12.
A common misconception about rugby, Gooding says, is that it's a sport that injures players frequently.
Gooding says that although rugby is a rough sport, he says there are less injuries than in soccer, hockey and football.
The respect factor is huge, especially since rugby players wear little to no protective equipment.
Players are taught to properly tackling, where to place their head while tackling to avoid neck injuries, and they must make an attempt to wrap the player.
Gooding says a rugby tackle is more like a player trying to wrestle another player to the ground, rather than trying to lay him out with a hit.
The support from the community and school has be enormous for the team.
Spectators have come out in larger numbers for the first two home games of the season, and the high school funded the purchase of brand new uniforms for the team.
The team hopes to payback this support by continuing to play with class and sportsmanship.
The biggest thing Gooding has been teaching his players is why they should be playing rugby.
"You play rugby for the enjoyment and fun of the sport and to improve your personal skills and play to the best of your abilities," Gooding says.
A further example of rugby's camaraderie, Gooding says, is the tournament in Vanderhoof at the end of the month where all the teams will camp out together, getting a chance to meet players on other teams.
It is something that at the end of the day is more important than what is on the field.
"It's not about winning," Gooding said, "it's about camaraderie and competing and having fun."
