Ottawa Senators Old Boys

Website: http://www.sport.ca/senators
Home Field: Twin Elm Rugby Park
History:
Ottawa Senators Rugby Club has changed its’ player eligibility rule to allow full playing membership to those in the 35 to 40 age group. Previously, the club’s minimum playing age had been 40 years old. According to club President Dr. Andrew Watson, “We have done this for a few reasons. First it will create an option for Ottawa area players that want to stay in rugby but find the wait until age 40 to be too long. Second, it puts us on a more even playing level with most of the other Old Boys teams that include the 35+ group. Finally this will allow us to broaden our recruiting base which will help to keep the club viable in the longer term.” The Ottawa Senators Rugby Club has been representing Ottawa in old boys rugby for 27 years. It began when a group of old geezers sitting in a pub were grumbling in their beers as to how the young upstarts in their 20s and 30s were ruining a perfectly good game by taking it so seriously. Although the main focus of the Senators is playing rugby and the related socializing, the club also puts considerable effort into several charitable campaigns. The Ottawa Senators readily support the Canadian Cancer Society and “Smiles for Seniors”, which provides gifts to Canadian Veterans in senior homes in Ontario and Quebec. Starting in May, and running until the snow flies, club members can be found at run-arounds held every Tuesday, at 6:30pm, on the lawn in front of the Supreme Court on Wellington Street. This is always followed by “choir practice” at The Arrow and Loon Pub, at Bank Street and Fifth. Home games are played at Twin Elm where traditional rugby etiquette is followed by post game toasts. The team regularly travels to Kingston, Belleville, Peterborough, and Markham and have arranged rugby tours to New York for both April and November of 2009. Team Captain Dermot Nally states, "If you still have the itch to play rugby and enjoy the whole rugby experience; playing, meeting some great people, and enjoying a club with a great social atmosphere, this is the place for you." Call Bill Hourston at 613-302-7075 Send an e-mail to ottawa.senators.rugby@gmail.com