Red Deer Titans Rugby

RED DEER TITANS JUNIOR MEN'S RUGBY

2011 Year End Report

With Rugby Alberta changing age groups form even to odd, the U18 program had to change to meet this, hence the U19/U17 program was created. While the ultimate goal was to have a team at each age group for both girls and guys, this did not happen but still remains a goal for the future. There were 33 registered girls and 36 registered boys, not enough for two teams, a few too many for one.

Girls Coaches for this year were Mike Haugen and Laura Young. The team played in the ERU U19 league. The girls finished 2^nd overall, losing the city final to the Druids. Coaches for the guys were Scott Blundon and Aaron Sewards. The boys played in the ERU U19 league as well. The team finished tied for 4^th but due to the tie breaker, landed in 5^th place overall and missed the play-offs.

Highlights for the seasons included the Boys attending the inaugural Hornets Swarm Tourney and defeating the U18 Saskatchewan Provincial team. Six boys from the Red Deer Titans got invited to the U19 Mavericks try-outs with three making the final cut to travel with the team to Montreal. Several of the boys were also invited to attend the Vancouver Rowing Club U19 academy for the fall. Four players total made the trip and will be back in the spring.

As for the girls, they attended a mini rugby fest on Rugby day in Red Deer with teams from Calgary and Edmonton attending. It was a fun day with costumes and some great rugby. The girls also hosted a set of games against an Ontario team that was traveling through the province.

For this year, the teams were fortunate enough to receive a major sponsorship from MGM Ford Lincoln in Red Deer. The sponsorship covered two complete sets of jerseys, one guys and one girls. The teams were excited to have a new kit and wore them with pride both on and off the field.

Capping the season was the development of the Titans Rugby Academy, a four month ongoing skill and fitness development program taking place in Red Deer, Rimbey and Rocky Mountain House. Approximately 40 high school students from grades 10-12 from Central Alberta are have 1-2 training sessions a week in a local gym as well as the new Titans workout facility. Responses thus far have been really positive and bodes well for the future of the U19 program as well as the Senior Titans

Submitted by Aaron Sewards, U19/U17 Coordinator

2011 Players Awards

Most Valuable Back: Chay Stearns

Most Valuable Forward: Logan Sabourin