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LRC hosting alumni weekend |
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Written by Dale Woodard
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Wednesday, July 15 2009, 11:16 PM |
It’ll be a rugby blast from the past.
Many familiar faces are set to return to the pitch this weekend as the Lethbridge Rugby Club stages it’s Alumni Weekend on Saturday.
While wet, grey conditions played havoc with local sporting events earlier this week, the forecast is looking good as the opening kickoff sails when the Division I Women host the Calgary Hornets at noon at the Lethbridge Rugby Club.
With a high of 35 degrees with zero chance of precipitation expected on Saturday, Lethbridge Rugby Club president Alan Hansen urges people to pack up their sunscreen, slap on a hat and come out and witness some prime wrucking.
And bring the kids along, too.
“When the weather is going to be nice like this it just makes it better to go out and watch games,” said Hansen.
“We have (with) alumni and spectators about 100 or 150 or so. It used to be the guys and girls coming up, but now it’s a lot more family oriented. The older guys have children and they’re coming back. So it’s a whole family affair.
“It’s open to the public. There’s no admission.”
The weekend also features the LRC Division II men, who will face the Calgary Saracens at 1:45 p.m. before the LRC Premier Women take on the Edmonton Lep-Tigers at 3:30 p.m.
The one-day event affords the local teams to play in front of the hometown faithful all in the same day, something the typical scheduling doesn’t allow.
“What we usually do when we set up for the Alumi Weekend is all our three teams get to play at home. This is only the second time this year that this happens. We’re spread out everywhere. The first one was the second week in May. You never know with the weather, so we figured July (for) the nicer weather,” said Hansen. “The South Division I women are in a Calgary-based league. So we play Banff and Red Deer and (teams) south of there.”
Meanwhile, the Premier Women play in the top Tier in Alberta that includes Edmonton and other teams from northern Alberta.
“(With) the men we just have one division this year,” said Hansen, adding there are three divisions with the men. “We only have enough for one team this year so we have a Division II team. They just play in southern Alberta.”
Once the game starts, there will be minimal downtime between the matches.
“When one game gets done you maybe have 10 minutes (between) games. You have 40-minute halves and usually a 10-minute break.”
A meet-and-greet will take place at the LRC Friday night before the action starts Saturday, featuring a Polynesian pig roast.
“There will be a pig roast throughout the day and family events,” said Hansen.
“There will be water balloons and a bouncing castle for the kids (along) with the games. After the games we’ll have a 40-metre tarp we’ll throw out for a slip-and-slide for all ages to participate in. That goes into the evening with a band and party.”
And if the weather stays the way it’s forecast to, dress for it, said Hansen.
“Make sure you bring some type of protection for shade. There’s not much shade out there.”
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