The first-ever Piggie Rugby Festival was deemed a success last weekend, and organizers are already looking forward to next year’s event.
“It was good, fun rugby,” said Jenna Bugden, who planned the festival at the Cowichan Rugby Football Club along with Kaelyn Palmer and Quinn Battie. “For the first year, it went really well.”
The tournament attracted six teams of 10 in the men’s division and four teams of seven in the women’s division, surpassing the organizers’ goal of eight teams total.
“We were really happy with the numbers,” Bugden said.
There were two Cowichan teams in the women’s bracket, and both made the final. The men’s division had one representing the CRFC and another representing Coast Roofing, made up largely of Cowichan players. Coast Roofing lost to Westshore in the final.
The 2017 edition is already in the works.
“We plan to make it an annual event now,” Bugden said. “I think it will only get bigger in the future. We are really excited for next year. It’s great for the community, especially the rugby community.”
Bugden expressed her gratitude to Red Arrow Brewing Company and Heritage House Trophies for their sponsorship, and for the “tons of volunteers” who helped out.
“It couldn’t have happened without them,” she said.