JUNIOR RUGBY

JUNIOR RUGBY2024-06-04T16:46:06-04:00

Junior Rugby at Balmy Beach RFC is an excellent introduction and development program at one of Canada’s most successful rugby football clubs. Our junior players have gone on to win the Ontario Championship McCormick Cup, the Canadian Rugby Championship with the Ontario Blues, play for the Toronto Arrows, and represent Canada at the Rugby World Cup. We have a dedicated team of NCCP Level 1 & 2 certified coaches and look for players, parents and supporters who are committed to making a positive contribution in an environment that fosters mutual respect, sportsmanship and a lasting love of the game.

The Beach offers co-ed teams from U6 to U12, with gender-specific squads from U14 to U18. The regular season runs from May to August depending on the age level, with opportunities to play festivals and host international touring sides. A separate 7-a-side season for U14-U18 runs from September to October.

Players can start at Mini-Rugby (U6/8), a modified flag-version of 7’s played on a smaller pitch (similar to rugby league). We emphasize, fun, friendship and development of the core skills needed to enjoy and advance the game.

At U12 modest contact (tackling) is introduced, along with uncontested scrums and lineouts in a 7-a-side game. At U14, the core concepts to play contact rugby safely and effectively are expanded as the game is adjusted to 13-a-side.

From U16 onwards, players compete as a 15-a-side squad on a full-sized pitch with modified rules to encourage safety and correct technique.

Practices are held at a various locations in east end Toronto, depending on cohort:

  • SATEC (W.A. Porter CI) 40 Fairfax Cres, Scarborough (Warden Ave & St. Clair Ave. East)
  • RH King Academy 3800 St Clair Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1M 1V3
  • Tubs & Gee Gage Rugby Field 1091 Eastern Ave (Lower Coxwell at Lakeshore E).


Mini Games (U6-12) are usually held Saturday mornings at various locations across the GTA with Beach Junior Rugby hosting its annual Sand Tournament at Ashbridge’s Bay in July.

Junior games (U14-18) are played at various locations across the GTA and may be hosted by the Beach at either SATEC or Tubs & Gee Rugby Field on weekday evenings or weekends.

For additional details you may contact Chris Kalbfleisch – Director Junior Rugby at beachU8@icloud.com

Membership CategoryContactDescription
U6/8 Flag (Mini)Mini Coordinator: Matt Bernardo
Email: matthewbernardo@gmail.com

Mini Coordinator: James Camp
Email: james@campadvocacy.com
For players born 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016. A FUN activity-based program that introduces rugby awareness and game play through practice and weekend festival competition. Practices are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.
U10 Flag (Mini)Mini Coordinator: Matt Bernardo
Email: matthewbernardo@gmail.com

Mini Coordinator: James Camp
Email: james@campadvocacy.com
For players born 2015 and 2014. A FUN skill and fitness program that continues the development of rugby awareness and game play through practice and weekend festival competition. Practices are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.
U12 Intro To Contact (Mini)Head Coach: Thomas Rapley
Email: thomas.rapley@yahoo.ca
For players born 2013 and 2012. Skills and fitness focused program that introduces the core concepts required to play contact rugby safely and effectively during weekend festival competition. Emphasis is placed on activity, body mechanics, skills development and FUN! Practices are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.
U14 Boys Intro To Contact (Junior)Boys Head Coach: Dave DeNoble
Email: david@adgar.com
For players born 2011 and 2010. Skills and fitness focused program that builds on the core concepts required to play contact rugby safely and effectively combined with formal weekend competition. Emphasis is placed on activity, body mechanics, skills development and FUN! Practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM with supplemental practices scheduled at the discretion of the coaching staff.
U14 Girls Intro To Contact (Junior)Girls Head Coach: Marty McLaughlin
Email: mclaughlin.marty@gmail.com
For players born 2011 and 2010. Skills and fitness focused program that builds on the core concepts required to play contact rugby safely and effectively combined with formal weekend competition. Emphasis is placed on activity, body mechanics, skills development and FUN! Practices are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Tubs & Gee Gage Rugby Field with supplemental practices scheduled at the discretion of the coaching staff.
U16 Boys (Junior)Head Coach: Chris Kalbfleisch
Email: beachU8@icloud.com

Assistant Coach: Kathy DeNoble
Email: kathryn.denoble@icloud.com
For players 2009 and 2008. Skills and fitness focused program based around formal weekday evening competition. Emphasis is placed on fitness, strength, body mechanics, and skills development. Practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at SATEC with supplemental practices scheduled at the discretion of the coaching staff.
U16 Girls (Junior)Head Coach: Chris Hewitt
chrisjhewitt37@gmail.com

Manager: Tanis Hewitt
tanishewitt@hotmail.com
For players 2009 and 2008. Skills and fitness focused program based around formal weekday evening competition. Emphasis is placed on fitness, strength, body mechanics, and skills development. Practices are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Tubs & Gee Gage Rugby Field with supplemental practices scheduled at the discretion of the coaching staff.
U18 Boys (Junior)Head Coach: Andrew Steele
Email: asteelie@gmail.com
For players born 2007 and 2006. Skills and fitness focused program with emphasis on fitness, strength, body movement, and skills development based around formal weekday evening competition. Practices are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at SATEC with supplemental practices scheduled at the discretion of the coaching staff.
U18 Girls (Junior)Head Coach: Chris Hewitt
chrisjhewitt37@gmail.com

Manager: Tanis Hewitt
tanishewitt@hotmail.com
For players born 2007 and 2006. Skills and fitness focused program with emphasis on fitness, strength, body movement, and skills development based around formal weekday evening competition. Practices are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Tubs & Gee Gage Rugby Field with supplemental practices scheduled at the discretion of the coaching staff.

My name is Derek Persaud. I am currently in grade 12 at Neil McNeil and am 18 years old. I play rugby for Balmy Beach and for my high school. Recently, my twin brother (Jordan) and I were selected to be members of the HOOPS program at The Balmy Beach Club, receiving free memberships to the club for the next year. 

I started playing Rugby in grade 10 when I played 7s for my school Junior team where we won the TCDAA championships. The same year, we were finalists in TDCAA 15s. After having such a fun time playing rugby and developing a passion for the sport, my brother and I convinced our ever so skeptical parents to sign us up with Balmy Beach to play 15s in the summer of 2016. During the season, the team played very well but were eliminated in the semi-finals by Ajax. However, the following season at Balmy, we bounce back and won the championship.
In grade 11 at Neil we were able to win TDCAA Senior 7s in the fall. Unfortunately, I was unable to play in the 15s season in the spring of 2017 for Neil as I was out with a knee injury (hockey-related injury). The following high school season however was another bounce back, where we won TDCAA 7s finals and were again crowned champions. The upcoming school rugby season was one I looked forward to, hoping to cap off high school with a trip to OFSAA, but Neil does not have a Senior 15s team this year due […]

 

Metro Rugby Association (MRA) – Metro Rugby Association

The Metro Rugby Association is an affiliation of four Toronto-based clubs (Balmy Beach, Toronto City, Toronto Dragons and Toronto Nomads) established in 2015. The MRA runs a spring rugby house league (May to June) at a single location in the GTA where players are organized by age cohort to balanced teams to play weekly competitions in advance of the TRU or Rugby Ontario summer season.

The MRA season increases playing opportunities and development for junior players, and shares resources across the Toronto clubs and to help grow the game across the GTA.

If your player is interested in participating please contact your head coach for information.

 

Archive: 2018 Junior Rugby at Balmy Beach

Junior Rugby at Balmy Beach RFC is an excellent introduction and development program at one of Canada’s most successful rugby football clubs. Our junior players have gone on to represent their club at the McCormick Cup, Ontario and Canada at the Rugby World Cup. We have a dedicated team of NCCP Level 1 & 2 certified coaches and look for players, parents and supporters who are committed to making a positive contribution in an environment that fosters mutual respect, sportsmanship and a lasting love of the game.

We offer co-ed teams from U7 to U13, with boys squads from U15 to U19 and a girls only U17 squad. The season runs from April to September depending on the age level, with opportunities to play festivals and host international touring sides.

Players can start at Mini-Rugby (U7/9), a modified flag-version of 7’s played on a smaller pitch. We emphasize, fun, friendship and development of the core skills needed to enjoy and advance the game.

At U11 modest contact (tackling)is introduced, along with uncontested scrums and lineouts as the players continue to develop towards the full 15 player Union rules game.

From U15 onwards, players compete as a 15-a-side squad on a full-sized pitch with modified rules to encourage safety and correct technique.

Chris Kalbfleisch – Director Junior Rugby, U11 Head Coach

2024 U19 Ireland Tour

It came together quickly; towards the end of a successful 2023 U18 season, the coaching staff asked the question “Can we do a tour in the spring?” By September we had 25 players committed and we were on our way to Ireland in March 2024.

Knowing our opposition would be tough, we put together a winter schedule for the players to get them fitter than ever. A 12 week strength and conditioning program was run by Ryan MacSween out of Primal Gym; each Sunday morning 20 players would run, sweat and push harder than they ever have. By February Head Coach Andrew Steele had the squad shaking out the rust and running their attack system at the Metro Sports Dome every Wednesday evening.

As we got closer to flying out, last minute itinerary changes were handled by Assistant Coach and travel pro Eric Barber directly with our tour operator InspireSport UK. By Saturday March 9, it had all come together with an incredible jersey ceremony at the Club and the (now) 30 players, 9 supporters and 3 coaches were off to the airport for a red eye flight to Dublin. We didn’t get there by ourselves; to honour the memory of John Foggarty, the Rugby Alumni donated funds to pay for our incredible custom kit designed by Kukri North America. To provide financial assistance to those players in need, Stuart Statton quickly stepped up to deliver through the Bill Webster Fund. This support and assistance from the Balmy Beach Rugby community was incredible and humbling before we even stepped foot on Irish grass.

And when we finally took to the pitch against Terenure College, the boys represented us well. After 3 days enjoying the sights and culture of modern and ancient Dublin, we took to a rainy pitch to face a senior Terenure side. We had visited the college a few days before to sneak in a pre-game workout, and were already aware of their winning history and schoolboy professionalism. A quick trip to a Leinster Schools semi-final the day prior proved the point as we watched their U16s dominate rivals Blackrock. From the first whistle, Terenure showed why they are a top Irish school: pace, power and poise was the rule of thumb. Our boys attacked well, gaining the red zone quickly and often, but a well-trained ‘Nure side pushed them back. We matched their physicality without issue; competing well at the […]

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