New players

 

New players of all skill levels are welcome! The OIRC includes players who are just starting up to athletes who have competed for Canada. You may attend a practice to actively participate with no contact or observe to get a feel for the sport. Please contact us to learn more.

 

Player commitment

 

As a member of the Ottawa Irish program you are committed to: 

• Respecting your teammates, coaches, and members of the OIRC

• Informing coaches or team managers of your availability for training and games in a timely manner

• Respecting OIRC team selections

• Attending all training sessions and games by avoiding work conflicts to the best of your ability

• Arriving promptly to games and practices 

• Wearing proper OIRC game kit

• Conducting yourself in a respectable manner as a representative of the club at all team events

 

What to bring to practice​​

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• Water

• Rugby shorts

• Mouth guard

• Rugby ‘boots’ are mandatory (molded soccer-style cleats are acceptable)

• T-shirts are acceptable, however please note that rugby jerseys should be worn or be available during practice. Some of the drills involve pulling or tugging on a teammate's jersey and t-shirts may be torn.

• Scrum caps and soft shoulder pads are not mandatory but can be worn

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What to bring to games

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• White rugby Shorts

• Green rugby socks

• Mouthguard

• Rugby ‘boots’ are mandatory (molded soccer-style cleats are acceptable)

• Rugby jerseys are provided for games

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Weather Policy

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Basic general guidelines:

• If it's raining, practice is a go

• If there is a thunderstorm (see below for details), practice is (or will be) cancelled.

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OIRC rugby events may be cancelled when:

• Any severe weather warnings from Environment Canada (EC) are in effect including thunderstorm, tornado, high wind, and rainfall warnings

• There is a weather advisory issued from EC for air quality or humidex to a degree that causes a health concern for participants or coaches

• There is sufficient wind, rain or other precipitation to cause concern for safety of participants or coaches

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OIRC rugby events will be delayed or suspended when:

• Within 30 minutes of the start time, there is less than 30 seconds between thunder and lightning (indicating lightning is within an approximate 10 km radius

• During the event, there is less than 30 seconds between thunder and lightning

• It will only be considered safe to return to the field of play a minimum of 30 minutes after the final flash of lightning or clap of thunder has been seen/heard

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Cancellation, delays, and suspension of rugby events including practices, tournaments, and special events are done at the discretion of the team director and will be communicated in advance (when possible).

 

Off-season training

 

The OIRC has a great off-season training program with Adam Blandford, the co-owner of CANAM Strength and Conditioning Gym. Interested in joining a gym? Contact Adam or click here to learn more.

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Volunteers

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The OIRC are always welcoming new volunteers to help organize the season, confirm availability for games, organize billets, video tape games, coordinate rides, etc. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for OIRC, please contact us.