The Rainier Highlanders Youth Rugby Club has long looked to the Plateau for players and nothing has changed as the association heads into a girls fall season that is all about developing skills.

The focus, according to longtime rugby advocate Andy Ramsay, is “solely on a development season intended to improve current players’ skills but more importantly attract new players.”

It will be, Ramsay said, a short and low-commitment season. The fall will feature seven-a-side play (normally 15 in rugby). The goal, Ramsay said, is to provide opportunities for middle school and high school girls and introduce them to an Olympic sport which was prominent in the last few weeks when the U.S. women earned the bronze medal. Rainier Youth Rugby will host one evening practice a week (Wednesdays) starting Sept. 4 at an Auburn park.

The season will kick off on Sept. 14 and 21 with community camps featuring players from all the local clubs divided by level of experience. Instruction will be provided by local players from the University of Washington and Seattle Rugby Club women’s programs. In October there will be three game days (all Saturday mornings) which will feature rookie matches.

Teams will be selected from the pool of players to make sure matches are as competitive as possible. The cost to participate is $80 for middle school players (includes uniform shorts and sock)s and $100 for high school players. Rainier Youth Rugby continues to be a “no cut” sport without district boundary restrictions.

More information can be found at Rainier Highlanders Youth Rugby (facebook); rainier rugby on Instagram; or by emailing info@rainierrugby.org.