Axemen Rugby Club grows the game with help from the Community Partnership Program

Ten years ago, the Axemen Rugby Club was formed. While their membership was barely enough to fill out a team, they came together for the love of the game and the camaraderie that is synonymous with rugby. Over time, that sense of community within the game of rugby has attracted over 200 members to the Axemen Rugby Club and has made rugby one of the fastest growing sports in the Sea to Sky region.

Attracting members from Squamish, Pemberton, Whistler and the rest of the Sea to Sky corridor, the Club fields several teams for play throughout the Lower Mainland and province including a minis (kids) program, an under-14 (U14), an under-18 (U18) squad and a women’s team, and two teams in the senior men’s divisions. By opening avenues for anyone of any age to play rugby, the club has built a pipeline for people to play rugby their whole lives, starting from childhood through to adulthood.

“The consistent growth of the club has helped build a strong base of players and our teams are seeing more consistent and improved performance as a result,” said Neil Irwin, Club Captain of the Axemen, “We’re starting to build a real tradition here in the Sea to Sky corridor.”

That tradition is being built thanks to the investment of time and effort into expanding interest in rugby throughout the Sea to Sky region. Head coach Stephen List travels to schools throughout the Squamish Lillooet Regional District, introducing kids to the game through school physical education classes. The club also organizes free “touch rugby” games for anyone in the community to try, build interest in the game and provide a barrier-free entry into joining the rugby club.

“We’re offering a home for people looking for connection. Men or women. Recreational or competitive. We welcome everyone within a single ethos of competition and family,” said Irwin.

The club is equally invested in providing value to existing players, whether through bringing in coaches to work on skill development or investing in player welfare. Physiotherapists are available at practices and games to provide on-site treatment to players and the club invested in the development of their own concussion protocols, helping to protect their players. But perhaps the greatest benefit that the club provides is the bond between players. The Rugby Club has become a community within the community, providing residents with an athletic outlet and a way to engage with others.

“Rugby is our community. It provides us with opportunity, builds discipline and builds connections with friends. It can set the stage for a lot of personal growth and success for anyone,” said Jacob Karroum, Director of Sponsorship and Fundraising for the Axemen Rugby Club.

With help from the Woodfibre LNG Community Partnership Program, the Squamish Rugby Club was able to fund further growth of their activities including the development of their U18 program; bridging a previous gap between their youth programs and adult teams. In their first year, about 25 members have joined the U18 team, receiving high quality coaching and ready to establish themselves as a team to be reckoned with moving forward. More importantly, it opened the doors for more Squamish youth to be introduced to rugby and join a thriving community.