Yukon’s rugby future is brighter, thanks to Hubert Buydens and his Grizzly Adams-like beard.

The hulking front-liner – who recently represented Canada at the Rugby World Cup – made quite the impression with the territory’s rugby faithful last weekend, leading two clinics at the Canada Games Centre.

Former national women’s coach John Long was also in Whitehorse for a well-received coaching clinic.

“I think he was the surprise star of the whole thing,” Yukon Rugby president Darrin Sinclair said of Long.

“When you get someone with that level and experience of coaching ... it was remarkable.”

In addition to the clinics at the Canada Games Centre, Buydens and Long also put a variety of F.H. Collins Secondary School students through the paces on Friday.

Long then put on a skills development clinic for current Yukon rugby players, before Saturday’s coaching clinic where he helped several players earn their Level 1 certification.

Approximately 30 children and youth were introduced to the game Sunday morning during a Rookie Rugby clinic led by 33-year-old Buydens. Rugby Canada is aiming to introduce the program to every province within the next year.

“It exceeded expectations to a person on our club,” said Sinclair of the reaction from his Gold Diggers teammates. “We had a great showing.”

Following the weekend happenings, a handful of new faces showed up at Yukon Rugby’s drop-in night Tuesday, which bodes well for the future. Current club membership is hovering around 40 to 50 people, Sinclair said.

“We definitely want to grow the rugby community,” Sinclair said. “We just want to get supporters and lovers of rugby together ... there’s a niche here for similar sports that isn’t currently being filled, and we’d like to be that outlet for men, women and kids.”

After opening their tenure at a sevens tournament in Anchorage last summer, the Gold Diggers will take aim at two tournaments across the border next season. A youth program is also being discussed.

Sinclair said much thanks is due to Yukon Rugby’s early sponsors – Yukon Brewing, Riverstone Dental Clinic and Back Country Construction.