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The Chuckanut Bay Rugby Club (CBRC) is proud to announce an ambitious new vision for our youngest athletes. Starting in the 2027 season, we are transitioning our Under 6 (U6), Under 8 (U8), and Under 10 (U10) programs into a vibrant, community-based, intra-club flag rugby league.
By focusing on local growth, neighborhood pride, and high-quality non-contact play, we are building a foundation that ensures every child in Whatcom County has a place to belong.
🎯 THE WHY: Our Mission to Develop Good Citizens
Our goal is to develop more than just rugby players; we aim to develop good citizens. We believe rugby fills a vital void in youth sports by offering an "inclusive first" culture where kids of all shapes, sizes, and athletic backgrounds can immediately thrive.
Our strategy is driven by the core values of the sport:
- A Pathway to Healthy Lives: We focus on fostering a lifelong love for movement, active play, and physical fitness in a supportive team environment.
- Character Building: Our program is anchored by four core values: Camaraderie, Passion, Respect, and Sportsmanship. We use the game as a tool to help youth develop positive personal qualities that serve them well beyond the pitch.
- Safety-First Foundation: By focusing strictly on non-contact flag rugby for these age groups, we provide a safe, high-energy environment where children develop elite hand-eye coordination, agility, and teamwork without the collision.
🗺️ THE WHAT: Six Regional Squads
To foster local community pride and eliminate exhausting travel for families, we are launching six regional squads. Your child will practice right in your local area during the week, wearing their region's distinct club color:
- 🟢 Sehome (Green)
- 🔴 Bellingham (Red)
- ⚪ Squalicum (Silver)
- 🔵 Ferndale (Columbia Blue)
- 🟠 Blaine / Lynden (Orange)
- ⚫ Meridian / Nooksack / Mt. Baker (Black)
New for 2027: We have expanded our age offerings! We are officially introducing an Under 6 (U6) division alongside our established co-ed U8 and U10 flag teams.
⏱️ THE HOW: Parent-Friendly & Player-Centered
We know Whatcom County families are busy. Our 2027–2030 execution strategy is built specifically to be parent-friendly:
- Local Weekday Practices: Mid-week practices will be held directly within your regional zone to keep your evening commute short and convenient.
- 90-Minute Saturday Jamborees: No more driving all over the Pacific Northwest. All six squads will meet at our premier, top-notch deWilde Rugby & Polo Fields on Saturdays. To respect your weekend, game schedules are strictly capped at 90 minutes (typically starting at 9:00 am).
- Games-Based Coaching: We are avoiding tired and boring drills. Our curriculum uses high-energy, fun games to teach technical skills. Kids stay in constant motion and learn organically through play.
- The Chuckanut Variation: To keep the game fast, inclusive, and engaging, we borrow from Rippa Rugby and World Rugby's T1 format. This ensures every single child on the field handles the ball and works as a team to score tries.
- Optional Sundays: For families who still want the traditional cross-border experience, we will keep Sundays open for optional participation in BC Rugby Jamborees.
🤝 How You Can Get Involved
This grassroots movement is entirely powered by our community. We are actively seeking partners to help us build the base of our rugby pyramid:
📋 1. Become a Youth Coach
No prior rugby experience is required! We provide a fully branded curriculum, step-by-step lesson plans, and easy-to-use "skill cards" so you can lead your local squad with total confidence. Because games are hosted at home, your volunteer travel commitment is practically zero.
🏫 2. PTA & School Connections
Through our partnership with Imagine Rugby, we are reaching out to local physical education teachers to add non-contact rugby to the fall elementary curriculum. If you are a parent involved in your school’s PTA, we want to team up with you to share information!
📈 3. Local Business Sponsorships
Align your business with hundreds of young athletes and active Whatcom County families. We are seeking local sponsors for regional team jerseys, field banners, and league assets at our premier deWilde facility.
🎒 Ready to Join the Family?
Give your child a fun, safe, and fast-paced game they will love, right in their own neighborhood.
- Season Months: March, April, and May 2027
- Structure: 2 local practices per week + 1 fast-paced Saturday morning Jamboree
Have questions? Reach out to contact@chuckanutrugby.com for more information.
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