Banff’s rugby Bears are out of the den and ready to feast upon their first opponent of the season as the team kicks off Calgary Rugby Union exhibition play in Canmore at Millennium Field, at 1 p.m., Saturday (April 25).
As many as nine born and raised Banff players could take turns on the pitch this season, as the high school program continues to feed the Bears program. Another season in Division III with rolling shifts will ensure playing time for all.
“On paper, I’m comfortable with the way the team is looking,” said veteran Mark Hooper. “We have a new committee and new structure. On the pitch is a good blend of old and young. I always set the bar high and the boys always seem to hit it.”
Jack Dowson and Jake Rada represent the fresh blood on the team, and will have ample chance to prove themselves against bigger, stronger and older opposition, while cagey veterans Michael ‘Toba’ McKay and captain Jeremy ‘Hollywood’ Woodcock are counted on to lead by example.
“Toba wears his heart on his sleeve, and he backs it up, so you have to give him credit for that,” Hooper said. “Ben and Jack have been a breath of fresh air. They’re so committed to the team, showing up at every practice, and they fit in well.”
Offensively, Banff will have to rely on speed and agility to counter many of the grinding teams, Hooper said.
“We’ve never had the biggest team, but we’ve always had the most mobile. We will get points in the last 20 minutes, weather the storm from some of these big, heavy teams and run them around. Realistically, that’s how we’ll go. We’ve got talented players coming up through the high school. It’s men and boys, but you’ve got to play smart,” Hooper said.
Last year, the young roster ended the season in heartbreaking fashion, missing a trip to the finals by one point. Hooper said since then, the team is learning how to close out games.
“We have to be smarter about playing the field. Just because we’ve run one in from 50 metres doesn’t mean we have to try and run the next one in from 70 metres. Against older teams, we have to be smarter, make them run backwards, chase them down and close them down,” Hooper said. “Last year was a hard lesson to learn. Everyone was so gutted to lose by one point. It was a tough lesson to learn, but it was a lesson.”
Behind the bench, Darrell Cranney will coach the team. Cranney was a key cog on the pitch last season, but suffered a torn ACL and MCL in the final game of the season. He had surgery two weeks ago, but still wants to contribute to the club.
“We will miss Darrel Cranney. He’ll do a lot of coaching for us. He was what I loved in a player, a silent assassin. He doesn’t say much, just works his ass off. We need more Darrel Cranneys, not less. His influence off the field will be good,” Hooper said.
The team’s first home game in Banff will be on May 23.
The team is still accepting new players, who are encouraged to check out the action this Saturday in Canmore. But Hooper said everyone who comes out better be ready to chase a championship banner.
“If you don’t chase a championship every year, there’s no point putting on the boots,” Hooper said.
