Now it’s official.

Rugby high school students will be able to participate in boys high school hockey with neighboring Bottineau this coming season.

The North Dakota High School Activities Association’s (NDHSAA) board of directors voted 11-0 on Sept. 14 to approve the co-op which not only includes Rugby and Bottineau but also Rolette.

Both the Rugby and Bottineau school boards agreed to enter a co-op for boys hockey, but a final okay was needed by the NDHSAA.

Earlier this spring, the Rugby Amateur Hockey Association approached school officials about a possible co-op with Bottineau to play NDHSAA-sanctioned hockey.

Low participation numbers did not permit the local hockey program to field its own team for the foreseeable future.

Under the terms of the co-op, Rugby will play under the Bottineau name during the first season. A majority of practices and games will be played in Bottineau.

School officials between Rugby and Bottineau may look into a more equal partnership in future years, sharing costs and splitting games and practices in the two towns.

The hockey season begins in November. Bottineau participates in the West Region and reached the state hockey tournament a year ago.

There has been discussion about Bottineau and Rugby combining to field a NDHSAA-sanctioned girls hockey program as well in the future, however, nothing has been approved.

Currently participants from both hockey programs play together on a 19 and Under team through the N.D. Amateur Hockey Association.