North Preston kids learn rugby by playing with RCMP officers

Under the blazing sun on a soccer field in Cherrybrook, kids from North Preston were given the opportunity to try a new sport.

Thanks to the TrySport Initiative organized by local RCMP officers, a group of 40 kids ranging from ages five to 15 were learning how to play rugby.

"This is something we developed in the Preston RCMP office," said RCMP Cpl. Kwabby Oppong. "It's just a way where we can interact in a positive way with youth in the community and offer a sport that is new to them."

Oppong says it gives RCMP officers the chance to meet with the kids. It also gives the kids a chance to see the officers in a different light.

And it's no secret that North Preston has produced lots of great athletes.

Several basketball players — male and female — are currently on athletic scholarships and will be playing in the U.S. this winter.

Coaches and high-level players with Rugby Nova Scotia were on hand to give the young players tips.

"Rugby is a great sport that invites players of all different shapes and sizes," said Jack Hanratty, Rugby Nova Scotia's provincial coach.

"It doesn't matter what your background is, but it is quite a disciplined sport and we're trying to teach the kids the game."

'It was awesome'

Hanratty says most sports fans in Nova Scotia aren't aware how good Canada is when it comes to rugby. Canada's national women's rugby team finished second at the last World Cup and the women's team at St. Francis Xavier University is the defending Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) champion.

Canada's national men's team is among the top 20 in the world and will be playing an exhibition match in Halifax against a team from Scotland on Aug. 29.

A native of Ireland, Hanratty says the clinic gave all the kids an equal chance to learn the sport.

"Everybody here is starting from the ground up," he said. "Some kids have played basketball and baseball and soccer, but here they're all on the same playing level."

The rugby newbies learned how to throw and kick the ball. But for many of the kids, most of the fun was had during the tackling drill.

"It was awesome," said Inez Cain, who said she doesn't get to do any tackling at home.

"Sometimes I get to tackle my teddy bears," she said.

"It's really a lot of fun," said Jamie Lynn Provo, a soccer player. "I learned how to throw the ball and the tackling was fun. The physical part of the game is what I enjoyed the most."