High school rugby has been cancelled for the current season.
In a stunning decision issued May 2, the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation announced that the season will cease, effective immediately.
In a statement sent to school principals, the NSSAF wrote the following:
“Please be advised that the Board of Governors of the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation, at their regularly scheduled spring meeting, has removed rugby from the NSSAF sports calendar. All rugby play within the NSSAF shall cease, effective May 2, 2019,” it stated.
“After a thorough review of incident report data provided by the School Insurance Program, the Board has decided to take this action. Student safety remains the top priority of the Federation.”
Wow @NSSAFsports removes rugby from its sports calendar! #FallRiverNS #EastHants @lockviewhigh @EnfieldRFC #rugby #NSSAF pic.twitter.com/rpwt917NiH
— Pat Healey 🇨🇦 (@Laker_PatHealey) May 2, 2019
Rugby Nova Scotia responded to the situation with a Tweet of its own.
RESPONCE TO THE NSSAF IN RELATION HIGH SCHOOL RUGBY.@RugbyCanada @RugbyNS pic.twitter.com/2rmwH86gBa
— Rugby Nova Scotia (@RugbyNS) May 2, 2019
“We are very disappointed with the decision and have requested a meeting with the NSSAF to better understand the reasoning behind their decision,” it said in a release.
“This will affect thousands of students, parents, coaches, match officials and supporters.”
There are somewhere around 90 players in Pictou County playing high school rugby, with boys and girls teams at NNEC and NRHS. The boys team at NRHS are the defending provincial champions.
“It’s unfortunate for the kids, absolutely, who are the ones that are directly impacted,” said NNEC athletic director Shane Hampton.
Harvey Hillis has been involved in rugby as a player and coach for 50 years.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Harvey Gillis, former girls coach at NRHS. when told of the NSSAF’s announcement.
“I can’t believe it. You can get a head-butt in soccer just as easy as rugby.”
