Cheers and laughs echoed across Curtis Field in Redwood Meadows on April 5, sparked by the Bow Valley Rugby Club women's team’s Prom Dress Touch Rugby games.
What organizers hope will become an annual event was a smash hit ahead of the outdoor rugby season.
More than 40 women took to the slushy field to play a few fun matches—trading their jerseys for gowns, but keeping their cleats.
Emily Herron says it was mission accomplished.
"We've been throwing it around for a few years, and I think we said it was time to do it," she explained. "So, we put it together, decided that no matter what the weather looked like, we were going to go for it. We set a date, the field was available, and the sun shone on us today. It was awesome!"
Mamma T said for her and pretty much all of the players, it was their first crack to try an fun event that continues to grow in popularity.
"The Bow Valley women wanted to make a difference, celebrate community spirit, sisterhood, and bring the women of Bow Valley, Cochrane and Calgary together to just have some fun and enjoy."
"We're just so excited to see the rubgy girls, and we're thrilled to have some brand-new rugby players here today," said Kate Kimbrell.
Some members of the men’s team, a referee, family, friends — and even one pooch — showed up in appropriate attire to cheer on the squad.
The women’s team will begin outdoor play as soon as fields open in the area and in Calgary. In the meantime, they continue to train indoors.
This season, the Bow Valley women have teamed up with the Rams to create two supersquads.
There’s still time for women to join the team.
“We’re constantly recruiting, even once the season starts in the first weekend of May,” says Kimbrell. “There’s an open invitation — we’re always looking for more people of all skill levels.”
More information about the Bow Valley Rugby Club and the women’s team is available here.
