Alec Crawford is following what’s become a bit of a family tradition.
His dad played rugby, his older brother played rugby, his younger brother just signed up for rugby, and he plays rugby.
But not just any level of rugby.
Crawford, who has played since Grade 6 and is now in Grade 9, has been invited to play for Team BC.
He went to try-outs in the Lower Mainland where he clearly impressed the coaches.
Although he’s not one to brag about himself, he admits that his best skill is speed.
“We had a little mini sevens festival (seven-a-side rugby). I was faster than most of the kids, so it was easy to just run up the wing and score some tries.”
The only downside to the experience on the Coast was when, during the second-to-last trial game with just three minutes left, he took a knee to the head during a ruck, suffered a minor concussion and was told to do nothing for several weeks.
Crawford’s Salmon Arm coaches, Lorne Elder, Geoff Power and Jan Crerar, all emphasize what an excellent athlete and leader Crawford is – and what a great team as a whole the Shuswap Middle School team has been.
Remarks Power: “I noticed Alec the first time that the team did hard laps. Alec was 40 yards ahead of some pretty quick runners. He has an explosive start, strong endurance and no problem running around or through his opposition…”
Elder notes how calm Crawford is, never raising his voice during his game.
“I see a lot of people get out there and start yelling at people,” explains Crawford.
“I’ve just never really done that.”
However, he does acknowledge that he gets really nervous before a game.
With rugby over until the spring, Crawford will be busy snowboarding and paint balling this winter.
Although he loves the sport, at this point Crawford doesn’t have any specific goals for rugby, simply a desire to “see how far I can go.”