Local rugby players to try out for national U17 team
Sam Evans and Bobby Grant, both 16, will attend try-outs for the Canadian Under 17 rugby team in Montreal Sept. 2-6
Barbara-Ann MacEachern
(LINDSAY) Two local rugby players have been selected to try-out for the national U17 team following a successful bid for provincial gold in Calgary Aug. 17.
Bobby Grant of Lindsay and Sam Evans of Reaboro, both 16, played four games against Alberta and B.C. teams at the tournament, with Ontario’s team coming out on top against B.C. in the final 29-26.
“Our team really had a lot of heart ... we just didn’t give up,” said Mr. Evans of representing Ontario.
He added that he was happy with his own effort at the tournament and his tackling while playing the prop position.
Mr. Grant, who plays the centre and kicker positions, made an impressive showing, earning 14 points and making the game-winning kick in Ontario’s first game against B.C.
“I was making basically all my tackles,” he said, before adding that he would have liked to have been more consistent in his kicking.
Mr. Grant said the experience was fun to reunite with players the two met while on the provincial team last year. This year’s team was more serious he said, because the national championship was on the line, but the experience helped him grow as a player.
“You get better by playing better at that level,” he said.
Mr. Evans added that it was very helpful to play with different players and learn from their approach to the game.
The training camp will be held in Montreal from Sept. 2 - 6 and will whittle down many talented contenders to enough players for two teams, one that will play in B.C. and the other will compete in England.
“We’re going to have to try harder,” said Mr. Evans about the camp.
“I just want to do my best and show that I can stick it out with the rest of them,” Mr. Grant added.
Mr. Evens said his biggest strengths going into camp were his experience - having played at the high school level with I.E. Weldon, five years with the Lindsay Rugby Football Club and twice representing Ontario - and determination. In terms of where he would like to focus on improvement, Mr. Evans said he would just like to work on his ability to hit harder.
Mr. Grant, who plays with St. Thomas Aquinas and the Lindsay Rugby Football Club locally, sees his athleticism as his biggest strength and said he wants to improve on “everything,” though he noted he was a bit nervous.
“I’m excited, I just don’t know what to expect because the level of athletes out there is going to be so much better.”
Regardless of how the tryouts turn out, both players are also looking forward to hopefully repeating their provincial win last year with the local rugby club.