Players from the Highland Rugby Club are heading to Portugal after Christmas for a two-week rugby tour with the Trillium Tigers, a team comprised of players from area rugby clubs.  
A total of 70 people, including 47 players, 10 coaching staff and 13 supporters, will take part in the trip that departs December 26.
The idea for the tour arose from the Under-16 boys tour to England and Wales in March 2010.  
It was a “great tour ... great learning experience for the boys,” said head coach Dean Brattan. “Through the success of that tour and to see the development of the players on tour, we wanted to continue.”
The coaches considered going to Argentina, Australia and France but decided on Portugal as it fit with time and cost restraints. The location was recommended by the Director of Bath Youth Rugby, whose club had previously been on tour to Portugal.  
Two U-18 teams were selected a year ago. An open tryout was held last fall for the boys team. A total of 27 players ranging in age from 16 to 18 years old were chosen, including five who played provincially. Most players are from the Highland or Stratford clubs. Two players hail from London St. George’s RFC.
The girls team consists of 20 players from clubs across southern Ontario including Highland, Stratford, London, Stoney Creek, Oakville and Brantford. They range in age from 15 to 18 years old and at least four have played at a provincial level.
The girls team was formed mostly by word-of-mouth from players.
“Girl rugby teams don’t tour too often,” said head coach Juli Brattan. “We’re really trying to build rapport within the women’s club and across the province.”
Brattan sees the tour as an opportunity for the female players to develop individual rugby skills, build confidence on the rugby pitch and establish social connections. Benefits from the tour will carry over to their own teams.
Her daughter Madison, 15, plays fly-half for the girls team. Although she accompanied her brother’s team last year, this is her first experience on tour as a player.  
“I’m looking forward to winning games,” said Madison and “seeing the different ways they play.”  
Both teams practised all winter in sports domes at Woodstock and Marden. Outdoor weekly practises were put on hold during regular club season play but resumed in September.  
“Now the training is focussed on fine-tuning” said assistant coach Andrea Gerber, who noticed a huge improvement in the girls over the year. “A couple of players had little experience, now it’s a totally different ball game.”  
The rugby matches will take place primarily in the Lisbon area. The girls have four games scheduled and the boys will play five, including one against the Portugal national Under-18 team. Besides matches, the players will have a chance to sightsee.  
“There’s a culture piece to it as well,” said Dean Brattan.