A letter to parents of new players.

So, your son or daughter has decided to play Rugby? DON’T PANIC! Rugby is a wonderful game, with a rich tradition around the world. It is the contact game of choice for countries such as England, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Scotland and Wales. Throughout the world people play Rugby from grade school through adulthood. In fact, Rugby is truly a “Life Sport” because, unlike American-Football, players continue to participate in the Rugby game long after they leave school. Players continue playing competitive rugby for years and years by joining local men’s or women’s clubs. Senior Clubs even have “Old Boys” teams composed of players over 35 years of age! This letter is intended to help you understand the game of Rugby a little better, and give you some information about those that play it.

A few reasons why our game is not the rugby you knew in college, or the extreme game that most Americans think it is;

(1) Possession: Rugby is a game of possession, not yardage. Therefore coaching emphasizes passing and running with the ball before being tackled as well as other skills aimed at keeping the ball in your teams possession, and not struggling ahead trying to gain a few more yards while the opponents entire team tries to drag you down. Rugby players try to find open space and evade the tackle, it is a game of evasion, not collision like football.

(2) NO blocking and safe tackling by rule – Unlike football there is no blocking ahead of the ball carrier. Many of the worst injuries seen in football are caused by blocking. In rugby you must wrap your arms around the ballcarrier and take him to the ground. You cannot run at the player and knock him down. This makes a rugby tackle much less dangerous and violent.

(3) All of our teams have good coaching. A good coaching staff is critical to educating our kids as to the ethics of rugby and make participation a fun, safe and exciting part of our players lives.

(4) The VYRA’s primary goal is to develop the sport in the region, with the emphasis on skill development and having fun. We all are working together to promote the sport, and make it a good experience for players, parents, coaches, referees and spectators.

Finally, the Rugby community is a unique group of individuals (and a group of unique individuals) who dare to try something different… a legendary game that mixes strength, speed and agility. A game that will forever welcome athletes of any and every size and shape. Successful rugby does require fitness, but first and foremost it requires that special person who’s ready, willing and able to give it a go.