The next two weekends will see boys and girls trying out for the South Island Junior Tide rugby teams who will represent the region at the upcoming provincial regional championships.
This year’s championships have been expanded to include both U15 and U17 men as well as U16 women. Last year’s U16 men finished second, with the U18 men finishing eighth.
A U18 women’s team is formed by combining the South and North Island athlete pool and will compete as the Tsunami. Last year it took first place at the championships.
“We strongly encourage rugby players to tryout for a team, regardless of their experience” said Marlene Donaldson, Junior Tide board chair.
“Each year we are able to identify new athletes to the program, expanding our base of athletes and providing them with an excellent experience.”
Athletes selected for the team will head over to the championships, where they will also have an opportunity to be identified for B.C. representative teams competing this summer.
Trials dates are:
• U15 and U16 Men, U16 Women. St. Michael’s University School, 3400 Richmond Rd., June 6 and 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• U17 and U18 Men. University of Victoria, Wallace Field off McKenzie Avenue. June 13 and 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Tide Junior program represents athletes from the Lower Island selected to compete in U18, U17, U16 and U15 provincial regional championships.
The U15 boys, U16 boys and U16 girl’s teams compete June 24 to 25, with the U17 boys, U18 boys and U18 girls competing July 4 to 5.