One school won all finals, save one, at the 91原创 Schools Rugby Sevens tournament this month.
"Poppy won all of them [five total], everything except the Grade 8 girls, which went to Lord Tweedsmuir [Secondary]," said Trevor Plater, the junior coordinator with the 91原创 Rugby Club.
He said it's because rugby is the focus of the high school, while other local secondary schools have multiple sports.
"They had some good competition, but they are a powerhouse indeed," he said about Poppy.
Another factor is the network built up with many Poppy players going on to rugby at the post-secondary level, including at Trinity Western University, and the expertise that connection affords the high school program.
The 91原创 Rugby Club hosted the sevens tournament at its Crush Crescent grounds along with R.E. Mountain Secondary. The March 7 event included most 91原创 public schools from Grade 8 to 12 with rugby teams as well as a couple of Cloverdale area schools. He said there were about 26 teams total.
"By my math, we were just under 400 kids," he said.
He was pleased with the calibre of play he saw at the tournament.
"I was very impressed with the new and growing programs, which fought uphill battles against programs with experienced players. One example is that the girls from Brookswood and Walnut Grove had great first-time showings," Plater said.
The crisp overcast day was "amazing" weather, perfect for the sport, Plater noted.
But a rainy spring meant the players went home wearing plenty of mud after a day of competition. Plater said he finished the day impressed.
"The athletes made their schools proud with their behaviour on and off the field. I would commend the teams and crowd for their lively but friendly spirit," he added.
The success of the tournament means it will be back in the future.
"It's the second one we've done," Plater said. "We're doing it again next year."
The club will host Alumni Day on March 29, when there will be a touch match, as well as other matches, a memorial ceremony, and a moustache auction with some proceeds going to Heads Up Guys, a men's mental health initiative.
