Last week the Charles Bloom Senior Boys rugby 7’s team was in Abbotsford for the BC School Sports Rugby Provincial Championships. Any time a team makes it to the provincial championships, it is a major accomplishment. However, given the history and circumstances, this one is extra special.
Charles Bloom was without a rugby team for 17 years. Last year, a keen group of boys decided it was time to bring rugby back to Lumby. Led by coaches Justin Bennet, Brian Krog & Ben Jackson, the first-year team proved that they could compete with more experienced teams and larger schools. Rugby does not yet have a single A division like other sports, meaning Bloom must compete in the double A division.
This season the Timberwolves rugby team made some serious noise by beating Seaton to advance to the Valley Championships, then beating Penticton High to secure their spot at the Provincial Championships. When compared to the size of Charles Bloom, Seaton’s population is about 3 times the size, and Pen High is about 4 times the size!
While at Provincials, the boys played some of their best rugby and represented Lumby well. The coaches had many people asking, “Where are you from?” and “How small is your school?” Our Charles Bloom Secondary Senior Boys Rugby team came home with a 12th place finish and succeeded in putting Charles Bloom back on the rugby map!
