Into the Scrum! Port of Prince Rupert Community Fund makes investment in youth and High School Rugby In Prince Rupert

The Rugby program at Charles Hays Secondary will be one of the main
beneficiaries from funding through the Prince Rupert Port Authorities
Community Fund

The growing popularity of Rugby in Prince Rupert has received a boost as the Prince Rupert Seamen Rugby Club, Port of Prince Rupert and School District 52 team up to provide for a new training program aimed at advancing the sport through a youth rugby program and with the Charles Hays Secondary Rugby Teams.

In an information statement today, Port officials noted how the Community Fund was used to match other community donations towards the rugby program.  As part of their commitment to youth in Prince Rupert, the Port has invested 24,215 dollars towards the Rugby initiative.

Among the features of the collaborative development of the youth rugby program will be:

The provision of new training and field equipment, a new storage container, and ‘Rookie Rugby’ resource kits which includes training curriculum, drills, lesson plans, and game information designed to improve the development of youth rugby in schools."

Irene Mills, The Port of Prince Rupert's Community Relations Coordinator outlined how the Port was eager to join with the other partners in the program.

“The Community Investment Fund is an invaluable tool for the Port to give back to the community by supporting legacy projects. Strong community programs provide strong life skills that our youth can benefit from for years to come,”  .... “Our thanks go out to this project’s volunteers and contributors for their dedication and contribution to the on-going skill development and expansion of the rugby program in our community.”

Youth Rugby players in Prince Rupert now have new equipment to use
as part of some funding from the Port of Prince Rupert
(PRPA photo)

The Prince Rupert Rugby Club has had a strong involvement in the development of youth rugby in the community for over a decade now, Club President Cody Curry also welcomed the investment from the Port and the continued work with the School District to continue to build the sport.

"The development of youth in our community through the sport of rugby has been a focus of the Prince Rupert Seamen Rugby Club for the past 15 years. The collaboration with School District 52, the support of the PRPA and other partners will allow the opportunity for more athletes to grow and develop both on and off the field,”  ... “Rugby is a powerful tool to build confidence, skills and friendships that our youth can use to achieve their full potential.”

The funding was also hailed by Irene LaPierre the new Superintendent for School District 52, who noted that the Port has been an exceptional community member through its ongoing support of SD 52 programs and initiatives.

The two coaches of the Charles Hays Rugby clubs added some thoughts on how the funding will help with Rugby program at the city's secondary school. with both Amanda Barney and Andy Enns looking forward to putting the new equipment to work.

You can review their comments and more on the funding announcement from this background piece from the Port of Prince Rupert.

For more items of note related to the Port Community Fund see our archive page here.

You can keep up with the latest news from School District 52 from our archive page here.

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