Yukon’s fledgling rugby program will get a shot in the arm from a Canadian star this weekend.

Fresh off last month’s Rugby World Cup, Hubert Buydens will head up two clinics in Whitehorse in the coming days, while former national women’s coach John Long will lead a Level 1 coaching course.

A pro football draftee who successfully transitioned to rugby, Buydens’ visit to Yukon comes on the heels of Rugby Canada’s World Cup run in England, where he was singled out for being one of the workhorses of the forward pack that defends many of rugby’s aggressive open-play contests.

“I’m really excited to be heading to Yukon to help grow our sport,” Buydens said in a press release. “Development clinics are an integral part of getting players hooked on rugby while also allowing them to have fun with their friends. It’s a perfect way to introduce young children to the sport.”

Buydens, 33, will conduct a Yukon Rugby development clinic Friday night from 6 to 7:15 before Long leads a day-long coaching course on Saturday.

The weekend’s festivities will conclude Sunday morning with a Rookie Rugby clinic from 9 to 11.

All events will take place at the Canada Games Centre Field House.

“We’re very excited to partner with Rugby Canada to bring high-level rugby to Yukon,” said Yukon Rugby president Darrin Sinclair.

“Rugby is a sport for all shapes, sizes, ages and skill levels – there’s really something for everyone. There is huge potential for the sport to grow in Yukon and this development weekend is one way we’re expanding our operations.”

Yukon recently established its first rugby club since the mid-90s, competing in a Midnight Suns Sevens tournament in Alaska last June.

The team – known as the Gold Diggers – organizes weekly games of touch and is also slowing moving into light contact drills. New players are always welcome.

“While this development weekend in Whitehorse gives an opportunity for young children to become involved in the game through Rookie Rugby and our development clinics, it also gives us a chance to grow our coaching outreach,” said Rugby Canada’s national development manager Dustin Hopkins.

“Growing our sport, whether it be through players, coaching, refereeing or any other avenue, is critical to the continued development of rugby in Canada. This weekend in Yukon will allow us to continue that trend but more importantly push rugby into new geographical areas.”

Presented by Honda, Rookie Rugby is the national body’s mass participation program that will reach every province within the next year.

It is a non-contact, fun and safe introduction to the game for kids ages six to 14. The program is complete with a full rugby curriculum that is easy to implement and focuses on having fun and learning the basics of the game.

Buydens is a veteran of Canada’s senior men’s team and has competed in the past two Rugby World Cups.

From Saskatoon, Sask., Buydens has become one of Canada’s most recognizable rugby faces of the past decade with 39 test caps to his name.