Here's to Marcus

Here's to our son.

You all know who this is. Marcus - our funny, loving, caring, goofy, fabulous son.

Several years ago a teacher introduced him to rugby. He loved it. Move 3 years later and he is in love with it even more.

This year he played U13 for the Calgary Saints Junior program. A fantastic team.  At the end of May he was invited to try out for the U14 Southern Alberta Boys team. He was one of the younger players to try out and that was out of about 50 kids. We even had to head to Edmonton to play the Northern Alberta team before the team was picked.

Seemed like weeks went by - never heard a peep. Then an email stating if you made the team and email would come to you shortly. Shortly never came. Well that's not true - seems rugby players, managers etc can't tell time and I was being impatient.

Many many hours later we got an email - CONGRATULATIONS.

OMG I couldn't believe it - I actually woke Marcus up and told him. He was so excited and I know he was proud of himself. As parents we were too. I cried. Yup I admit it. I cried. I knew he was good at playing rugby but didn't think good enough to make that team this year. Hell he was playing against some of the best of the best.  Guess my boy is one of them.

He has played the summer of his life, playing for two teams. The Saints took a break at the end of July and the provincial team took over, well after a short break. Marcushad to take a week off due to receiving a concussion/whiplash. That was the only time I heard "I'm bored" all summer.

The beginning of August was National Junior Rugby Festival in Calgary. Approx 1000 rugby players from all over Canada between the ages of 12 to 19 played a week on the pitch. Marcus even spent a day volunteering and being a ball boy for the older teams games.

Our boys did great. I am actually not positive of all the stats as one team never showed and 3 games were called due to rain/lightening.  We did win one and they played great. A few great friends and family came to watch, maybe they were the lucky charm we needed.

A week later we travelled to Kelowna for another tournament. Marcus on the team bus and staying with the team in dorms at the UBC Campus and Terry and I on our our. First time ever since July 2000. We did fun childless things and showed up in time for the game (ok we missed about 10 mins of it, there was wine to buy and fun to be had).

They played hard but unfortunately lost that game. Marcus was however named "Man of the Match" along with another player from his team. They are such a great bunch of kids. Even though their home teams are all rivals they all came together and did Southern Alberta proud.

Next week we are back to playing for the Saints for the fall session, and then we will be done until next March. That is unless Marcus makes the 2015 U14 Southern Alberta Rugby team.  Stay tuned.