Rugby Complex to Open November 15
The Edmond Rugby Complex will officially open Saturday, November 15th with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. The complex is located on the west side of Mitch Park at Covell and Santa Fe.
Following the ribbon cutting, the Edmond Storm will perform the traditional haka to challenge their opponents to battle and will then host Broken Arrow at 11 a.m. in the complex's first game. The Edmond Rugby Club is made up of students from all three Edmond high schools.
The University of Central Oklahoma's Dean Richard Bernard who is the club's president, acknowledged the partnerships that brought the project to fruition. "This has been a wonderful community project, initiated by rugby enthusiasts to engage young people and made possible by a sensitive City Council, Parks Board, and other city officials, attuned to the needs of our city's youth."
Edmond city officials and staff from the Parks and Recreation office worked in partnership with the rugby club to establish two rugby fields, or pitches, each the length of a football field. Parks staff refurbished old goal posts and installed new ones, added new bleachers, and tripled the parking in what was a little-used area of the park's jogging track.
The City of Edmond installed waterlines for irrigation and drinking fountains for ruggers and joggers.
The rugby club coaches Greg McFadden, Garrick Cocker, and Dante Lazzarotto mowed and lined the fields. The coaches, along with rugby parents and players, hoisted the initial goalposts into place. Storm vice-captain Chris Puckett constructed team and jogger benches as part of his Eagle Scout projects.
Mayor Dan O'Neil praised the Edmond Rugby Club for creating the new sporting opportunity for Edmond youth. "A year ago not many Edmondites had ever seen a rugby game. What this club has done in such a short time is just remarkable."
The Edmond Rugby Club teaches rugby as a way to develop in young men teamwork, character and leadership.
"I am extremely honored to be associated with these parents, coaches and supporters, " said Councilman David Miller. "Most especially the young men that are involved in this program. They all demonstrate an enormous sense of teamwork and the values that are the core of what it means to be responsible adults.
"We could use a few hundred more young men and parents that don't just talk the talk. They definitely walk the walk."
The Edmond Rugby Club would like to invite the public to their first game and encourage everyone to wear the Storm's colors, red and black.
For more information about the Storm, visit www.edmondrugbyclub.com.
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