The Guardians rugby club will host a pair of touring English men's rugby teams over the next few days at South Surrey Athletic Park.
On Friday, the Guardians – which formed earlier this year, drawing players from throughout the Lower Mainland – will play Kings Macclesfield, from Cheshire, England. Then, on Monday, they'll hit the pitch at South Surrey Athletic Park against Adams Grammar School, from Shropshire, England. Both games begin at 6:30 p.m. at SSAP.
Prior to Friday's game, a U16 game between the Fraser Valley Selects and Kings Mac U16 will hit the pitch at 5 p.m.
The Guardians were the brainchild of Semiahmoo Old Boys and Bayside Rugby's Marshall McDonald, with help from fellow Baysiders Andy Blackburn, Mike Tupper, Adam Roberts, Lee Sullivan and Steve Sayers.
The U19 team is made up from an elite group of players selected from various local clubs, based on their ability, dedication to the game, and most importantly, according to organizers – attitude. The team has no home field and members are chosen by invitation.
"We want these players to play traditional rugby. It`s all about sportsmanship and camaraderie. But we also want to create a team that young players aspire to, and that travelling international sides are challenged by," said Sullivan, the Guardians coach.
- Juliet Sullivan, special to Peace Arch News