Kala Hooker from the Smithers Camels Rugby team has good reason to believe the sport of rugby is alive and well in northern B.C., after the Camels hosted the third annual Humpfest last weekend.
Teams from Terrace and Prince Rupert travelled to Camelot, the Camels’ home field at the Smithers fairgrounds, to take part in two days of mens’ and womens’ rugby action. Camels players were joined by players from the Smithers Secondary School Gryphons teams, under sunny skies and warm temperatures, to kick off the season in style.
Hooker said the school team has been an excellent way to get young athletes into the sport.
“We’re really lucky that we have a strong high school program,” she said.
The Camels are still actively recruiting players for the season this year. Hooker said experience isn’t as important as a willingness to learn the game.
“If you’ve never played before, that doesn’t matter,” she said.
The team runs twice-weekly practices on the new field beside the arena, and Hooker said she’s planning to run a rugby camp in the summer as well.
To get in touch with the team, email camelsrfc@hotmail.com.