There's a new youth sport taking to the pitch in Prince George.
The Highlanders Rugby Club was created last month for players who are under 19 and younger.
It's the brainchild of volunteer coaches Jeremy Cundy, Trevor Matters and Dean Roluffs, who oversee the Duchess Park Condors rugby side.
However, due to teachers' job action which has canceled organized sport, Cundy has now taken the Condors to the club level so athletes can continue to play. He has extended the invitation to any Grade 8 to 12 athlete in Prince George.
"Any high school student can join the club and we'll continue throughout the summer," said Cundy, who used to play rugby at the high school level at PGSS. "I want to give the kids something to have pride in, take ownership in.
"The goal this year is to gain interest in the sport and we can also be a feeder system for the Prince George Gnats Rugby Club."
The Condors have been scrimmaging on Tuesday and Thursday nights at Duchess Park's fields.
They've also been fundraising with bottle drives to buy uniforms and balls.
For the last three weeks, the Condors have played three friendlies against a side from D.P. Todd.
The final match is slated for Wednesday, June 11 at D.P. Todd at 6:30 p.m.
So far, 22 Grade 8 to 12 athletes from Duchess Park have strapped on their cleats and scrimmage caps. The squad features a variety of athletes from the high school football team, including junior quarterback Jacob Cundy at fly-half and senior quarterback Rylan Matters as a flanker.
Others include T.J. Kyriakos, Jordan Cundy, and Mat Kelly. Three girls have also taken up the game and include Grade 10 athlete Harleigh Jackson.
"I had no idea we had [rugby] talent like that," said coach Cundy. "The kids who are coming out to practice are amazing."
Practices are Tuesday and Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m. Athletes work on punting, tossing, scrumming and line-outs.
If teachers' job action continues into the fall, the Highlanders club will too.
For students who are interested, they can attend the practices or visit the club's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/highlandersrugby/
