The Rimbey senior girls rugby team is off to an excellent start in league play with two wins under their belt.
The Spartans defeated Hunting Hills 61 – 15 in Red Deer last Wednesday and the week prior they won against Notre Dame Cougars 43 – 5.
Coach Ceara Newman is pleased with the effort and skill her team is demonstrating on the field.
“I am really proud of how we’re doing,” she said.
The Spartans also competed in a tournament in Sherwood Park on the weekend, finishing with two wins and two loses.
However, Newman said the losses were justified, as Rimbey was playing against bigger schools in a different tier.
The Spartans will face Lindsay Thurber High School rugby team on May 11 at 5 p.m.
Coach Newman expects the game to be a challenging one.
“Lindsay Thurber is the team to beat,” she said.
The girls rugby program has been ongoing since 2003.
Ciaran Orman, who then coached the team, is now working with his daughter Ceara as assistant coach and her mom, Denise is also helping out as a trainer.
Former player Kelcie Garnick is also an assistant coach as is student Garreth Jones.
Newman said the team has a good mix of rookies and veteran players.
“We have only won the league once,” she said, “but I think we have a shot at it this year.”
Newman said the junior high rugby program is very helpful in preparing the girls for the more competitive senior league. She attributes the junior high program as playing a major role in the success of the senior program.