No sports program has brought more glory to Banff than BCHS rugby in recent years.
Banner wins and trips to the provincial finals have become the norm, star players have emerged and subsequent bruises and scrapes are worn like badges of honour along Banff Avenue.
This year, coaches and players believe they can keep the team’s banner streak going.
National team member Holly Phillips and provincial team member Ashaah Payson will anchor a powerful women’s team, which has an impressive 29 members this year. Captain Payson said the team is ready to defend its regional banner, and has its sights set on a provincial win.
“I think we have a lot of potential. We’re definitely working hard,” Payson said.
The team has become the biggest story at BCHS, as the club has grown from a paltry 10 members to 29 Bears players. Payson said the growth is incredible, and really motivates the veterans.
“It’s the most amazing thing to see. The entire school is coming out. They want to be on the team, or cheer on the team,” Payson said.
Between Phillips and Payson, the team has two potent weapons on the field. Phillips has national team skills, while Payson just returned from the Vancouver 7s festival, where her team finished third overall in a tournament featuring many of Canada’s top rugby players.
“All the best were there. We were within walking distance of the national team. It was great to see people I look up to who play on team Canada,” Payson said.
She has dreams of her own to make the national team, and will play this summer with Calgary’s U20 Wolfpack team. She’s quickly learning how much work is required to reach that level.
“It’s a lot more technical, a lot faster, and with stronger girls. They practice six hours a day, work out six hours a day,” Payson said.
She’s also enjoying playing with Phillips and the two are natural leaders on the rugby pitch.
“Holly is a big asset to the team. We’re good friends, we’ve grown together and want to bring home a banner again,” Payson said. “Let’s go back to provincials. Let’s get that first-place finish.”
The BCHS boys team, meanwhile, only has five seniors, but its junior program is beginning to pay dividends, according to coach Ian Higginbottom.
“We have a decent sized forward pack. We don’t have a lot of experience in the backline, but we have a really strong group of Grade 11s,” Higginbottom said. “We have really big Grade 12 leaders and ideally these five vets will lead the team.
Tackling and defence will be keys to success for the men’s team, he said, and many young players have stepped up. He credits Xander Harvey and Scott Kim for showing great skill and strength in camp.
“Xander Harvey is a phenomenal athlete and really fast. Scott Kim, this is his first year going out for organized sport. He’s shown he is strong and powerful.”
“Half of our juniors have experience and they are quite strong for it,” Higginbottom said.
Captain Saxby Young said defence will be the team’s strength this year.
“We’ve got a lot of new guys. We’re all fast and we’ve got good defence,” Young said. “We’re going to bring that championship banner back.”
The teams opened their season on the road Wednesday against Rundle. Their first home game is May 12 at 5 p.m. at the Banff Rec Grounds.
