Going for a try on the rugby field is proving to be another great outlet for Dawn Ryan-Finlay in her zest for taking on new activities to stay physically active.
The Corner Brook native, a Grade 4 elementary teacher at Stephenville Elementary, is one of the smiling faces who plays rugby once a week as part of the Corner Brook Touch Rugby Group.
A few months ago she was playing volleyball in the local women’s league when her friend Mariel Parcon brought up the idea of playing rugby. Parcon was having fun being part of the new group formed in Corner Brook by a couple of St. John’s natives and thought it would be something that Ryan-Finley would enjoy.
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The thought of playing rugby never entered her mind because she found it somewhat intimidating and the sport wasn’t being offered on the west coast.
She went for it anyway.
“I’m always up for trying new sports,” Ryan-Finlay said.
She showed up for the open session the following week. She was a tad bit nervous about going into something new with people she didn’t know, but it didn’t take long for her to settle in and know her time was being well spent.
She was happy to walk into an atmosphere where all the players were welcoming and encouraging, but more importantly they had a good grasp of the game they wanted to share with the group so she figured she’d love to be among those in pursuit of a try.
“You felt like you were part of a community already. It just felt like you were part of something walking into rugby,” she said. “Just the encouragement from the leaders of that group … it was just a really nice way and it made you want to keep coming back.”
She didn’t have an idea what the sport would be like, but she’s really enjoying herself because of the nice atmosphere that comes with learning what the sport is all about.
“It’s a nice way to get in some exercise and have a laugh while we’re doing it,” she said.
The next rugby session is scheduled for Tuesday 7:30 p.m. at the Ambrose O’Reilly Memorial Soccer Field.
*****This article was edited to correct incorrect information******
