This is the potential we have

Rookie Rugby Gains Footing in Florida Schools

BOULDER, Colo. – Rookie Rugby will far surpass its goal of getting the ball in the hands of more than 100,000 kids throughout the U.S. in 2009, thanks to the Florida Rugby Union and nearly 70 Florida middle and high schools.

The third largest school district in the state of Florida – Hillsborough County Public Schools – has announced Flag Rookie Rugby as the focus team sport in its 2009-2010 Middle School and High School Physical Education curriculum. The Rookie Rugby program will be rolled out to 54,000 middle school students and an additional 46,000 high school students in the coming school year.

Out of a field of seven traditional team sports under review for inclusion as a focus sport for 2009-2010, Flag Rookie Rugby stood out from the rest due to its low implementation cost, inclusivity for participants, the variations of the game and its high degree of cardiovascular benefit for students.

Florida Rugby Union and Florida Flag Rugby have been working with the Hillsborough County Public Schools since fall 2008, providing after school programs and demos to pilot schools. The program has steadily gained prominence and support with Florida educators. Flag Rugby is viewed as an ideal sport and physical activity to implement when addressing National Standards and Best Practices in Physical Education.

“We received great feedback from the teachers we’ve worked with. The inclusivity of the game especially appealed to teachers and students because every student got a chance to play, touch the ball and have a chance to score – even if they weren’t necessarily the best athletes or regular participants in other traditional team sports,” said Mark Van Trees, Florida Flag Rugby.

In August, Florida Flag Rugby will conduct three, two–hour teacher in-service training sessions to Florida educators that showcase various small group games and the game rules of Rookie Rugby. Teachers will be required to attend the training before implementing the program at their schools.

“USA Rugby is delighted to bring Rookie Rugby into Florida schools; a very safe, non-contact, easy-to-play game for both boys and girls. Rookie Rugby is designed to give young players a fun, safe and enjoyable sporting experience,” USA Rugby’s CEO and President of Operations Nigel Melville said. “The rules are simple, the game is easy to learn and minimal equipment is required. All you have to do is pick up the ball and run with it.”

To download the guidebook, take the on-line course or for more information on how to get started with Rookie Rugby today, visit www.usarugby.org/goto/rookie_rugby or contact USA Rugby Youth Manager Katie Wurst kwurst@usarugby.org.