Rugby trials in WV Players audition for national rugby squad Bob Mackin Sports Reporter binackin@nusnews.com THE road to the 2003 Rugby World Cup begins at Rlahanie Park. As many as 38 players are expected to try-out for spots on Canada’s national rugby team this weekend at the West Vancouver heme of — the Capilano Rugby Football Club. National team coach David Clark will oversee the three-day training camp which culmi- nates with a 1} p.m. Sunday scrimmage at the ground. Tim Murdy, coach of the Premier league Capilanos, will helm one of the sides in the trial match. Among the players hoping to wear the maple leaf is Capilano Bob Bremner. Clark is expecting as many as 16 spots on the roster will be filled by those attending the camp. ‘The «maining positions will b+ given to the top Canadians playing professional- ly around the world. Canada plays May 20 against Tonga at the University of B.C.’s Thunderbird Stadium. It will be the only local installment of the annual Epson Pacific Rim tournament. While it’s billed as an identi- fication camp for the Pac Rim looking at the identification of talent,” Clark said. “Some young, stuff to put some pres- sure on the established stars, this is the time to do it, aot in a year and a half out trom che World Cup. There are oppor- tunities there for somebody to putina good performance and shine and maybe make a name for himself.” Clark, expects nine veterans of the World Cup team to artend, as wel! as eight mem- bers of the Rughy Canada sev- ens team. Clark is charged with reju- venating the program: the team’s first win of 1999 didn’t come undJ a 72-1] win over Namibia in France at the RWC. The team had already lost twice at the RWC and went heme without advancing beyond the first round. Clark assumed the reins of the national team from Pat Parfrey after the World Cup. The fourth-year coach of the Victoria-based Pacific Pride NORTH VANCOUVER Spring Rugby Canada development team) came to Canada after coaching — the — Australian Institute of Sport’s under-21 taun. He was also a technical advisor co the Wallabees, the nickname given the Australian's World Cup squad. 900 In B.C. Rugby Union play, the Capilano Premier league twam lust 23-21 to the Meralomas Saturday in Vancouver. The Caps overcame a 10-6 halftime deficit to lead 21-18 laze in the game. But the Meralomas managed their third try of the game to grab the win. The ninth place Caps are 4-12-1 and return home March 18. The first division Caps handily defeated the Meralomas 21-3. In under-14 play, the Ravens/Rowers com- bined squad was felled 26-20 by the Caps A tam. The B team, however, lost 25-10 to the Brit-Lions. \_ RECREATION COMMISSION Break indoor Tennis Camps - March 20-23 For all skill levels and abilities. Lots of fun mixed with skill development and play. series, Clark admits it’s actually the beginning of preparations for the 2003 RWC. “This is where it starts, NEWS photo Paul McGrath CARSON Graham’s boys curling team, skipped by Jonathan Norrish, competed at orth Shore Winter Club in the provincial high school curling chainpionship. The - team lost ta Sardis 8-3 to finish the meet 3-4. Vernon was the eventua! champion. ‘Canada’s sports curriculum is lacking From previous page ‘miniature versions of lifeguard competitions, which are termed “Nipper Carnivals.” What really impressed me was the obvious respect and _ Overt encouragement for phys- ical wellness and I wonder if . «we can’t develop some of that fervour in our own backyard. This passion is of course “developed as children, and ‘while vacationing I had the -, Chance to talk with an‘ old friend on the siibject. Barry Binns spent the best , "part of 15 years in Canada as a “squash professional before returning home to resume his career 2s a high school teacher “113 years ago. I learned frora talking with him that much more emphasis is placed on the value of physical health as “a part in the overall develop- ment of children in the public school system and that at least 10% of the average schoo! cur- - ficulum is devoted to sport articipation. =, Now.we're not talking about dodge ball or novelty relays with beanbags here, rather lifestyle activities like _ tenais, squash, cycling and cs Swimming. ~ In fact there is a list of over -. 20 sports kids can leam to ‘ master at their own level of ability, sports that they can carry throughout their lives to enjoy and help maintain physi- cal and emotional wellness. s+ Jf Tve said it once I've said ~~ ita hundred times but I'll “keep repeating it until some- one out there starts listening. All our public schools need to ~ develop meaningful programs within the basic curriculum that educate and encourage physical knowledge and involvement as a normal part of everyday life. We see it in the private school arena and there is absolutely no vatid - reason (though I'm sure there are a load of BS excuses) not to replicate this attitude in government-funded facilities, save the ineptness of the pea- ple we allow to develop our educational format. Talk with your elected offi- cials and school principals because until people (read: parents} start making some toud noises, nothing is going to change. If they can get it going'in the land of Oz, then there’s No reason we can’t get our act together — fair dinkum, mate! Shane Collins is a physical trainer, athleric coach and marathon swimmer, Us is also a professional speaker :s: the sub- Jeet of sport and henizis. Ages 6-9 1 - 2 pm Mon - Thurs Mini - Tennis $26 Code 31247 Ages 10-14 Youth - Tennis 2 - 4 pm Mon - Thurs Code 31248 Grant Conneil Tennis Centra 280 Loyd Ave., North Van Register Now! Limited Enrollment! 983-6483 -