When you think of rugby, you might picture bulky, sweaty athletes in a huddle battling for an audience of devout fans.

But have you considered the culture of rugby: its roots, and the history of Indigenous excellence in the sport across the globe?

John Lyall, program director at Thunder Rugby in Victoria, BC thinks that both of those ideas are equally important when working with youth.

Lyall has been with The Thunder since its inception in 2013 and, as program director, he is responsible for coordinating Selection Camps for The Thunder.

This January, the Selection Camp was held in White Rock, BC and young players came from across the province to try out, meet other rugby players and participate in cultural learning.

Selection Camp is held for players between the ages 14-18 years old. Anyone who is chosen to play with The Thunder this year has the opportunity to go as a team to New Zealand in the fall in support of the Canadian Women’s Rugby team at the World Cup. 

One of those young athletes was Presley Kallio of Haida Gwaii. Presley's mother, Adeana Young, made a post on Facebook thanking the community for helping support Presley's desire to play rugby.

Presley was unable to speak to CICK News, but we were able to speak to John Lyall the week before Selection Camp in Victoria.

"Selection camp may sound a little more formal than it is," he sadi. "We identify youth that may want to come with us to new Zealand, and we focus on indigenous youth, but we wouldn't turn any youth away."

Lyall is a proud member of the Kwakwaka’wakw nation and said that rugby taught him to respect culture and he wants to pass that on to the next generation.

Listen to Pam Haasen's interview with Lyall below: