Joshua Li / Staff reporter
The boys rugby team won their first game this season over Alpha secondary 17-0 on March 31.
This season kicked off with an exhibition match against Charles Best secondary on March 10, which resulted in the boys rugby team coming up one try short.
This season, the boys rugby team includes players in grades 9-12. They are coached by Gleneagle alumni Mathew Goroza, Eiman Torabi, Noah Freeman and languages teacher Rachel Ballard.
According to Jacob Goroza, grade 11, the players are “new to the game, but working hard.” Jacob Goroza has been playing rugby for five years and aims to show leadership this season. “Everyone is showing up, and since everyone else [in the district] hasn’t played in two years, I think we have a pretty good shot at winning this year,” Jacob Goroza added.
This season, Ryken Clay-Mehnert, grade 12, is looking to “hone skills [such as] catching, passing, and tackling.” For his first rugby season, Mehnert believes “everyone works well together,” and the team has “a good shot at winning districts.”
The team is happy with their chemistry on the field and efforts being put into practices and games. According to Mehnert, the team “played well together, passed the ball quickly, and got the ball out wide well” in their last game against Alpha Secondary.
“Our team chemistry is amazing, everyone got along right away in the first practice,” said Jafar Jeffrey, grade 11. Jeffrey was happy with the way the first two games helped build teamwork and performance on the field.
“We’re still adjusting on communication but we’re improving, and I feel like the more games we play, the more we can get better at it,” said David Toledo, grade 11. “Our team gives everyone a chance on the field, and no one is left out,” Toledo added.
“I felt our offense was solid, we managed to move around great, and our forwards were where they needed to go,” said Wyatt O’Neil, grade 11. “The biggest challenge will be injuries. So, we need to make sure our bench players can come in for our starters, but everyone shows up to practice and works hard, and I think we’re taking it to provincials this year,” O’Neil added.
Jeffrey also showed confidence and belief in his team, and expressed that “it’s the passion we have, and we’re only going up from here.”
Today, the boys will face off against Burnaby Mountain Secondary for their third game this season.