Great First Practice!

Excellent first practice last night, team. Almost 40 kids, from 7 to 17, all out learning about and playing rugby--what could be better?

I'm especially impressed with our teenagers, a big group of strapping young men who clearly are eager to start playing some real rugby, and with a number of experienced players as well.

Equipment:

1. Good to see everyone had studded boots--wear those cleats for every practice.

2. Get your mouthpieces now, and starting bringing them to EVERY practice. Buy three, one to wear, one extra to bring along, and one extra to keep at home.

3. Leave the jewelry at home. No necklaces, watches, earrings, bracelets, etc. This is for safety purposes, for the safety of you, and other players.

Conflicts with Rugby

A number of parents have asked about committing to rugby, when there is so much else going on during the summer. There are camps, swim and dive team, vacations, holidays, and a ton of other stuff going on, so is it reasonable to commit to rugby?

Of course it's reasonable. Our program is a summer program because the big, mainstream sports have a lock on the fall, winter and spring; that's just the way it is, and we'll take that. So, we'll take rugby players regardless of their ability to commit to a full season. If a kid comes out and has fun playing a week or two of summer rugby, then we've achieved the #1 aim of our program: have fun.

So, parents, don't worry about other commitments during the summer. We are happy that your player is able to come out, regardless of how much time he/she can give.

Coach Dacey

First Practice Rained Out

If I remember correctly, our first practice was rained out last year, too. How disappointing. Man, I'm ready to get out there and teach kids (and parents) about rugby; I can't wait.

But, we're at the mercy of the field status, and if the field is closed we have to respect that.

We'll take another run at it today--if the weather holds.
Coach Dacey

Thinking About Training

Some thoughts about training, which we'll start next Tuesday:

Our training is not about fitness, as we really don't have time for fitness drills, when almost all of our players are rugby novices. We will focus exclusively on the rugby basics, passing, tackling and basic understanding of the Laws, so players can have fun playing in a real match right away. That being said, our practices will be busy and will go a full two hours; I guarantee any player that comes to practice will leave the season more fit than when he started.

The emphasis on safety will be very high. I will not allow our team, or individual players, to engage in a tackle match until I consider them ready to do it properly and safely. We will be very stringent in training about proper contact in rugby, and those players who pick this up and apply it will be the ones who play first.

It's gonna be hot, so bring water. We'll probably have a water jug on hand, too.

I'm looking forward to our fourth season, and expect it to be our biggest and best so far.
--Coach Dacey