“Coach, Rugby is my NEW FAVORITE SPORT!”
For anyone of a certain age that has either played, or been exposed to rugby, hearing these words from the mouth of a 13 year old is nothing short of astonishing. Up until very recently, most players in the United States never saw a rugby match until they stumbled upon it in college. Outside of a few pockets of high school rugby around the country (i.e. California, New York City), access to rugby was very limited for most young men and women.
My, how times have changed. Interest in youth rugby is spreading like wildfire and each year has seen the introduction of new teams. Today our U-15s have representation from Union County, Greensboro, Fayetteville, Raleigh, and Charlotte.
The U-15 game is a modified version of rugby with 12 players per side as opposed to the standard 15. Newcomers are exposed to a freewheeling game that combines aspects of many sports (i.e. football, basketball, soccer, etc.) while fostering virtues that we all want for our children, including:
- Sportsmanship
- Respect for One’s Opponent
- Respect for the Referee
- Fair & Unselfish Play
CYR, in conjunction with guidelines established by USA Rugby, is committed to the growth of youth rugby throughout North Carolina. Coach training emphasizes the promotion of safe and fair play with a commitment to a culture that is unique to the sport of rugby. For more information on U-15 rugby, please contact Rob Futch at (919) 360-4131, or at rkfutch@yahoo.com. We look forward to seeing you on the pitch!