1. What can my son or daughter expect from rugby?
Fun! First and foremost, rugby is a lot of fun. It is a simple game that requires aerobic fitness, and provides an outlet for youthful energy and athletic expression. Rugby is considered the ultimate "team" game, with camaraderie its centerpiece. Rugby is played in every nation on earth, and is now the most popular club sport on the American college campus, especially among college women.
Joining the local rugby team also brings membership in an international athletic fraternity...a chance to tour and travel, and to establish lifelong friendships with teammates and opponents alike.
Playing rugby also helps athletes fine tune skills that are important in other sports such as football, wrestling, lacrosse, soccer and basketball.
2. What is the "Rustin Rugby Football Club", how is it organized, and is it affiliated with the school district?
Our rugby teams were granted "Recognized Club Sport" status by the school district. This means that our school does not offer financial support. The club is also required to supply liability insurance and medical support. However, because we are a “Recognized Club Sport”, we are affiliated with the school district and may use school facilities for games and practices. Our players will also have rugby listed on their high school transcripts and can receive “letters” for the sport.
ABOUT THE CLUB
All of our coaches are required to be trained and accredited by USA Rugby, our national governing body. The club is also a member in good standing of the Eastern PA Rugby Union, or EPRU.
3. Who is in charge?
Our High School team is operated by the EPRU and at least one adult who is trained and fully accredited by USA Rugby is assigned to coach and administer each team.
4. What can parents do to help the rugby program?
Each team needs parents to take turns supplying items like oranges and drinks for matches, and helping to launder the team's jerseys. We need parents to take turns videotaping our home and away matches. We need parents as chaperones when the teams travel, and to drive vans to rugby events. We need parents' ideas and suggestions.
But most of all, we would be thrilled to have as many parents as possible on the sidelines at matches, cheering for the teams and providing fan support.
5. How do High School coaches feel about High School soccer and football athletes playing rugby in the Spring?
It depends on which school is involved, and which coach you ask. There is no single answer, and the answers seem to vary a bit from year to year. We have communicated on this issue with several football coaches in our area. Most of these coaches have stated in the past that they do not object to their football athletes playing rugby, as long as rugby does not interfere with Spring weight lifting programs. Parents and players are encouraged to discuss this issue directly with the coaches at your school.
It may be worth noting that there are dozens of schools in the USA and in Canada where football, soccer and rugby co-exist as varsity sports. Coaches at these schools report that rugby is an excellent off-season sport for football, basketball, hockey and soccer athletes. Be sure to read the article entitled "How Rugby makes Better Football Athletes" by sports journalist Alex Goff.
6. When does the season begin and end?
The competitive rugby season begins in March, and ends in May. There are also optional summer "Sevens" tournaments and All Star programs in June and July.
Informal, optional practices are usually offered in the fall. These sessions are designed to be fun, and focus mostly on two-hand touch rugby, camaraderie, fitness and development of basic skills.
Practice starts officially in late-February in the school gym or outside....if conditions permit. Our team generally practices 2 - 3 afternoons or evenings per week. Start times vary depending on the team and the coaches. Matches start in early March, and are usually held on Sundays.
The High School rugby season concludes in May with local and regional Tournaments involving boys and girls High School rugby teams. If our team does well, we have a chance to move on to territorial and national championship events in May. Rugby is the only High School sport that crowns a National Champion.
7. Can my son or daughter play other sports and also play rugby?
Yes, of course! Our rugby coaches do not support the idea of "single sport, year-round athletes" at the High School level. We believe that student athletes should experience as many sports as possible while they are young and able to do so.
We always encourage our rugby athletes to play fall sports at school, and also a winter sport such as basketball, wrestling or winter track. Athletes engaged in a winter sport may simply join the rugby team upon conclusion of the winter sport program, with absolutely no penalty for having missed our early season practice sessions.
There have been numerous instances in the past where our High School rugby athletes have also played a spring sport at school (baseball, lacrosse, track) in addition to rugby. We leave this up to the individual player and parents, who are best able to determine whether the athlete has enough time and resources to play two sports at the same time.
8. Do you suspend athletes who are not getting good grades at school?
Yes. Because we are a “Recognized Club Sport”, the school district requires that we adhere to the school district’s academic eligibility policy. Please see the school website for details.
9. Is there a team fundraising obligation?
Since we receive no financial or other support from any school district, our teams are dependent upon monies raised from player dues and fundraisers. Players are expected to assist in the fundraising efforts when requested. We would also be grateful for any other support we could get in this department.
10. Is there any college scholarship money available for rugby athletes?
Several universities offer partial scholarships and grants to rugby athletes.
11. What kind of equipment is needed to play rugby, and what is the cost?
One of the great things about rugby is that there is very little equipment needed. All you really need is a patch of grass, five or six players, and a ball...and you can play rugby.
Athletes will need rugby cleats for both practices and games. It is also recommended that each player by his or her own rugby ball to practice with, but this is not required.
12. SAFETY IN THE TACKLE: How can these kids play "football" without wearing pads or helmets?
It is very important to recognize that rugby athletes are not playing football. They are playing rugby, and there is a big difference. The ball is the same general shape as in football, but that is where the similarities end.
Most of the thousands of injuries suffered each year in football result from dangerous techniques that are only encouraged by the wearing of so-called "protective" gear. Since rugby tackling requires a "grapple-and-wrap" tackle (as in wrestling) there is no need for helmets and pads.
Further, there is absolutely no blocking in rugby, and therefore fewer injuries to knees and ankles as a result of poor or illegal blocking tactics.
Rugby tackling is very different than football tackling, and is much more like a "takedown" in wrestling. All rugby athletes are taught to tackle and be tackled safely, by USA Rugby accredited coaches, before they are allowed to participate in contact practices and matches.
You will not see in rugby the "spearing" type of tackle that is encouraged in football. Football athletes are taught to launch their bodies, and to use their helmets and shoulder pads as weapons. In rugby, there is no spearing permitted, and no tackling allowed by grabbing or hitting above the tackled athlete's chest area. Such tactics are strictly illegal in rugby, and will result in an immediate ejection from the match, plus a suspension for up to three future matches.
Rugby athletes are strictly required to wrap their arms around the ball carrier when making a tackle ...no cross-armed impacts, no purposeful head-on-head collisions, no initiation of contact with the head and neck.
It is also important to understand that the ball carrier in rugby is not striving for the extra yard necessary to make a first down as is often the case in the gridiron game. Many football injuries occur when the ball carrier is clutching the ball very tightly to avoid a fumble, while driving forward, head down, just to pound out the extra yard, foot or inch needed to reach the first down marker.
There are no first downs in rugby. And no fumbles either. Rugby is all about passing.
Rugby is a fast-flowing game of continuous motion. Rugby is based on teamwork, and quick passing ("recycling") of the ball to supporting teammates. Rugby is not focused on individual efforts, or gaining an extra few inches, or crushing a ball carrier. A rugby athlete who is about to be tackled (or who is in the process of being tackled) is primarily interested in passing or rolling the ball back to a supporting athlete. The tackled athlete wants to get rid of the ball, not hold on to it and take additional "hits" in an effort to gain a few more inches. In this way, the rugby ball remains actively in play, and the tackle situation (if one arises at all) is quickly and safely concluded.
Soft "cloth-and-foam" headgear and soft shoulder pads are now available for optional use in rugby. Current data as to the safety and efficacy of these items is inconclusive. The decision on whether to purchase and use these items is up to the athlete and his or her parents.
13. Are there a lot of injuries in rugby?
No, there is a tremendous amount of misinformation on this important issue. Most of this misinformation is given out by folks who know little or nothing about rugby, or who are often personally "invested" in sports that they perceive as competing with rugby for talented athletes.
Coaches and officials involved in "traditional" sports tend to promote their own interests, and protect their own "turf". However, and contrary to popular belief, there are actually very few serious injuries in rugby. As with all contact sports, there are bumps and bruises, and occasional sprains, concussions and fractures.
True, rugby is a contact sport, and a vigorous one. However, the rate of serious injury in rugby is less than that experienced in other contact sports, such as football and ice hockey. The rate of serious injuries in rugby is roughly comparable to that in soccer and lacrosse, and substantially less than in sports like skiing, in-line skating and skateboarding.
14. What happens if my son or daughter is injured during a match or practice?
Injuries do occur in rugby, just as they occur in any contact sport. A fully stocked first aid kit is always on hand to treat minor injuries, (i.e. bumps, bruises and minor cuts and scrapes). Athletes are responsible for reporting minor injuries to their parents. However, injuries that are suspected to be more serious in nature (i.e. fractures, larger cuts, concussions, and serious sprains) are reported immediately to the player's parent or guardian by the coach.
A cell phone is present at all practices and matches in the event of an emergency. A community ambulance is sometimes present at matches (when volunteer coverage is available), or is at least available nearby.
Our teams presently hire and pay a professional athletic trainer or EMT to provide medical support at games and practices At the beginning of the season, all parents are required to fill out an Emergency Medical Authorization form, so as to provide emergency contact information and authorization for emergency treatment in the event that a parent cannot be located to authorize such treatment.
15. Does the club provide medical or disability insurance?
No, Rustin RFC does not provide medical or disability insurance of any kind to any of its athletes or coaches. Each rugby athlete must arrange for his or her own coverage through his or her family, and this applies to all Rustin RFC teams.
16. How much travel is involved?
Most of our High School team matches are within a 45-minute drive.
If a team wins its entire local and regional matches, that team will be invited to the USA National Championship, which is held at alternating locations in the USA each May.
17. Who is in charge when the team goes on overnight trips?
The ultimate responsibility for supervision of the athletes rests upon the accredited head coach of the team with regard to all rugby activities, including team travel. This is a responsibility that is taken very seriously. After all, most of our coaches are also parents.
In addition to the head coach, parent chaperones and at least one assistant coach travel with the team on overnight trips. Parents must sign a permission slip, and are provided with a comprehensive Trip Itinerary and telephone contact information in the event of an emergency.
All athletes and their parents are required to review and sign a comprehensive "Code of Conduct" in connection with each travel event. Horseplay, and the possession, transport or use of drugs and/or alcohol are strictly forbidden and will not be tolerated. Players who misbehave or violate the Code of Conduct are removed from the travel event and either segregated from the team (under supervision) or sent home, at the option of the coaching staff, and at the parent's expense.
The club reserves the right to permanently revoke or suspend all membership privileges in the event of serious misconduct, including especially the possession, transport or use of drugs or alcohol.
18. Does the club provide transportation to and from "away" matches?
Sometimes. The club cannot afford to rent buses or vans on a regular basis. Ordinarily, team travel to "away" matches is by carpool. Carpool vehicles are operated by coaches, parents and (in some instances) by the athletes themselves. Every effort is made to avoid situations where athletes are operating carpool vehicles, but this is not always possible. Much depends on the level of parental support being offered to the team.
Parents should be sure to discuss travel plans with their athletes, including the identity of the person who will be driving. Rustin RFC is not responsible for the actions of persons operating carpool vehicles.
For trips involving long distance travel, the club will usually arrange for a rented buses or vans. Buses are operated by professional drivers. Vans are operated by adult club members, coaches and parent chaperones. Athletes are sometimes asked to "chip in" so as to help pay for the vans or buses.
19. Do the teams have drug and alcohol policies in place?
Yes, Absolutely. See answer 19, above. Drug and alcohol use will not be tolerated, and is strictly forbidden in connection with all rugby practices, matches, tours and events. Athletes who are suspected of possessing, transporting or using drugs or alcohol are suspended from the team on an immediate basis, pending parental consultation. The club reserves the right to permanently terminate the membership privilege of any athlete suspected of possessing, transporting or using drugs or alcohol in connection with any rugby practice, match or other event.
Further, if a coach suspects that an athlete may be involved in drug or alcohol use outside of rugby events, the situation will be brought to the attention of the athlete's parent or guardian, immediately, and on a confidential basis.
20. How much time is spent on rugby on a weekly basis?
Our teams generally engage in 2 - 3 afternoon or evening practices per week, usually lasting about two hours per session. Matches are usually held on Sunday afternoons. Thus, the average time investment per week is about seven hours on rugby, not including travel.
In addition to the seven or so hours of "team time" mentioned above, athletes are strongly encouraged to engage in a personal fitness program on their own, outside of practice. Rugby is much more fun when the participant is fit.
21. Are there any special considerations for female rugby athletes?
Yes. Female rugby athletes practice and compete separately from male rugby athletes. There is no "co-ed" rugby, except for occasional two-hand touch rugby games and drills. Boys and girls may, on rare occasions, participate in strictly non-contact rugby drills during some practice sessions, under the direct supervision of qualified and accredited adult coaches.
There are no special variations in the rules of rugby for female athletes. Girls tackle and get tackled just as boys do, and tend to practice and compete with the same level of intensity as their male counterparts. In fact, some might argue that high school aged female athletes are more focused on learning rugby skills and tactics than are their male counterparts.
It is interesting to note that Women's' rugby is now by far the most popular club sport on the American college campus. The NCAA has recognized Women's Rugby as an "Emerging Sport" at the college level, thereby paving the way for potential athletic scholarships under Title IX. Further, the USA National Women's' Rugby team won a recent World Championship, and is consistently ranked in the top levels of international rugby. The 2001 "International Player of the Year" was a young female athlete from California.