High School rugby in Nova Scotia is no more.
The Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation announced Thursday their board of governors have removed the sport from their calendar.
The board says the decision was made after a thorough review of incident report data by the School Insurance Program.
All rugby games in the NSSAF were to cease as of yesterday at noon.
In a release, Rugby Nova Scotia says “it is very disappointed with the decision,” and it will “affect thousands of students, parents, coaches, match officials and supporters.”
Rugby Canada also responded saying “they echo Rugby Nova Scotia in their disappointment.”
A petition titled “Bring rugby back to NS schools” at change.org has gathered more than 14,000 signatures as of 6 a.m.
Meanwhile, the head coach of the Park View Panthers rugby teams says he’s shocked by the decision.
Andrew Dixon says he learned of the NSSAF’s decision Thursday as the Panthers girls team was preparing to head to Horton for an afternoon game.
“We had 30 kids in a room and everybody was emotional; some people were crying, some people were mad and it just took us all by storm.”
Dixon says rugby is a contact sport but they have qualified coaches.
“We have a rule through Rugby Canada and Rugby Nova Scotia; when it doubt, take them out. If there is ever any injury of any sort, we’ll remove them from the field of play and we’ll play short or replace them with another player.”
He remains hopeful Rugby Nova Scotia will meet with the NSSAF and come to a better solution.
In the meantime, Dixon hopes to start a rugby club to give players a chance to stay active in the sport.
Reported by: Nick Yorston
Twitter: @NickYorston
E-mail: yorston.nick@radioabl.ca
