The heart of the Lanark Highlanders club, it all began with a senior Men’s team in 2004. Lanark competes in the Eastern Ontario Rugby Union Division 2 league. The Lads of Lanark are always competitive, and have been finalists or champions in most years, even as many of them cross-over to play Old Boys as well as Senior Men.
2021 Year in Review
John Thurston, VP Men’s Programming
2021 held many challenges for rugby, not only in our community, but all communities in Canada and across the world. The Highlanders set a goal to get as many opportunities for members to participate in rugby for fun, socializing and fitness as possible.
The Lanark Highlander Men’s Program finished 2021 accomplishing this goal. The program welcomed Highlanders, old and new, and joined sides with the Ottawa Ospreys and Barrhaven Scottish Rugby Football Clubs. The combination team, known as “The Merge”, competed in the Eastern Ontario Rugby Union Fall League against the Bytown Blues R.F.C., Ottawa Irish R.F.C. and Ottawa Beavers R.F.C.
The EORU Fall Men’s League began September 11th with a kickoff tournament at Twin Elm Rugby Park. As the first competitive rugby since the beginning of COVID-19, It was an extraordinary day for all the players, coaches, organizers, and spectators alike to renew their love for the game.
The matches occurring in the subsequent four weeks saw The Merge organize and compete in passionate and enthusiastic fashion at the home of the Barrhaven Scottish, Rowan’s Field, Twin Elm Rugby Park, and Oakfield Park.
September 25th was the first Senior Men’s match ever played at the Lanark Highlander’s new home, Oakfield Park. The match against the Ottawa Irish was a spectators pleasure as the Irish came out to an early lead; The Merge fought late in the second half but fell only by a try.
The Highlander Men combined with the Old Boys to play the Brockville Privateers R.F.C. on October 9th.
In addition to the EORU league games, The Merge played a home and away series with the Carleton University Ravens R.F.C.. on October 24th and 30th.
The Lanark Highlanders Rugby Football Club would like to thank all the players, coaches, organizers, officials, and spectators for participating in rugby this fall.