The Potential of Rookie Rugby

This article shows the potential of Rookie Rugby. We have such potential laying around Ohio if we just ask to be included. Lets get out there and get this sport in schools!


500 New Rookie Rugby Coaches in Florida

Tuesday Aug 25, 2009 in Grassroots Rugby Youth
Boulder, Colo. – USA Rugby helped introduce Rookie Rugby - its basic, non-contact version of the game - to physical education programs in the state of Florida last week.

Geared primarily toward children from 6-12 years old, Rookie Rugby is designed to give young players a fun, safe and enjoyable sporting experience and aims to introduce a new generation of fans and athletes to the exciting global game through programs administered through schools, community-based and state-based rugby organizations (SBRO), as well as USA Rugby national events.

Rookie Rugby became required course material for the third largest school district in the state of Florida – Hillsborough County Public School District at a recent in-service training hosted by USA Rugby and the Florida Rugby Union. Approximately 500 educators participated in Rookie Rugby practical demonstrations and program instruction designed to highlight the benefits and resources available to teachers and students alike.

Out of a field of seven traditional team sports under review for inclusion as a focus sport for 2009-2010, 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.

Prior to the in-service day, USA Rugby and Play Rugby USA staff members hosted a Rookie Rugby educator workshop to train volunteer instructors needed to manage the large group of teachers expected the following day. Volunteers from the Florida Rugby Union and University of South Florida easily mastered the curriculum featuring popular Rookie Rugby games, skills and progressions. This year’s program evolved as a result from a successful pilot conducted last year by Tommy Van Trees that reached 30 schools in Hillsborough County.

During the in-service, elementary, middle and high school teachers were divided into groups to vary exposure to the many features of Rookie Rugby. One section worked with lead-up games while another focused on a progressive approach to introducing non-contact rugby. Physical educators were asked to participate and experience first-hand the benefits of Rookie Rugby. After the one hour practical session, groups then rotated to a classroom setting where they were given a guided tour of online resources such as the Rookie Rugby Club and education kit materials.

“Practical instruction combined with the classroom theory and overview of where to find important resources is exactly what these teachers needed to feel confident in teaching the sport. I know the teachers are also very much looking forward to the one on one follow up training sessions from local Rookie Rugby instructors. “We are all excited about this new upgrade in our curriculum.” said Steve Vanoer, Supervisor for K-12 Physical Education for Hillsborough County Public Schools.

All educators who attended the in-service training are now required to complete the online educational coach training survey and register for free as a member of the Rookie Rugby Club. District teachers who complete these requirements will then be provided with flag belts, balls and Rookie Rugby education kit materials through the District to jump-start their programs. They will also qualify for two follow up visits from local Rookie Rugby instructors, courtesy of the Florida Rugby Union. A total of 74 schools are eligible to participate for the remainder of 2009 with an additional 150 schools being added in the spring of 2010. This program therefore has the potential of introducing over 130,000 new students to the game.

“Expanding the rugby community through engaging schools and other educational organizations is a vital initiative in growing the game and putting youth rugby on the map. Physical Education in-service days such as the one in Hillsborough County provide an efficient platform from which to lever the resources available in this process. In just one day we were able to introduce nearly 500 new coaches to the game – that’s 100 coaches, per one USA Rugby staff member in attendance! With professional oversight from the Florida Rugby Union, this program could produce thousands of young, aspiring rugby players.” said USA Rugby National Youth and High School Director, Mark Griffin.

Erin Kennedy, USA Rugby’s new Youth Manager attended the Rookie Rugby training, along with her predecessor, Katie Wurst. Wurst will be leaving USA Rugby to pursue a Masters in Sports Psychology, while Erin joins USA Rugby from the U.S. Olympic Committee.

“Katie has done so much for youth rugby over the last few years,” USA Rugby’s CEO Nigel Melville said. “USA Rugby would like to thank her for all her considerable efforts and wish her well in her studies.”

To download the Rookie Rugby guidebook, take the on-line coaching 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 Erin Kennedy Ekennedy@usarugby.org.

Upcoming Development Camps

Upcoming Camps for player development:

Ohio Elite - Open to boys/girls of all ages:
1. Scrumhalf/Flyhalf - 9/6 @ OSU $5.00
2. Contact Clinic - 9/13 @ Cincinnati $5.003. USA rugby/Ohio Elite Lineout Clinic featuring Luke Gross (USA Lineout Coach) 9/27/09 @ OSU from 12-4 $10.00 Player $30.00 Per Coach


U23 Women Ohio Elite - Open to all Women only under 23's will be considered for selection

Selection Camp: 9/20 @ OSU 1-4 - Srimmage vs.OSU $5.00
Selection Camp: 10/4 at OSU,11-2 - Scrimmage TBA $5.00
Selection Camp: 10/18 @ OSU 11-2 - Scrimmage TBA $5.00

RugbyOhio hits Facebook

RugbyOhio has finally hit facebook with its own group. Recognizing Facebook as the leading communication tool for youth and High School students, this will afford us an opportunity to connect with kids directly.

The group 'RugbyOhio' features videos, links, blogs, friends and pictures of our favorite rugby stuff. Sign up today and join the coolest group on the web.

Finally! Law Clarification on U19 Scrums

To: Secretaries / CEOs of Unions and Regional Associations in Membership
From: David Carrigy, Head of External & Member Relations
Subject: Law Ruling by Designated Members of Rugby Committee
Date: August 10, 2009
Ruling: 6 : 2009

Ruling Request from ARU Under 19 Variations – Law 20 1 (f)

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) seeks a ruling in respect of the following matters
relating to the Under 19 Variations to Law 20.1(f):

1. The U19 Law Variation refers to a team having fewer than eight players in its scrum when “…the team cannot field a complete team, or a player sent off for Foul Play, or a player leaves the field because of injury.” Does this Law Variation also apply if a player is cautioned and temporarily suspended (yellow card)?

2. The U19 law Variation refers to both teams using reduced numbers of players in the scrum formation if “…a team is incomplete…” because it is without one, two or three players. No distinction is made between forward players and back players. If a No. 15 is sent off early in a match, must both teams play with seven players in the scrum, even though both teams still
have eight players suitably trained and capable of playing in the scrum?

3. If a team cannot field a complete team because it is short one or more forward player, but that team is able to provide from the available players suitably trained players to contest scrums, may the game proceed/continue with eight player scrums per team?

Ruling of the Designated Members:

The complete team is a reference to having eight players who can play in the scrum. If a forward leaves the field of play for any reason and cannot be replaced due to injury, sending off, temporary suspension or any other reason then both teams must reduce the number of players in the scrum so that there are equal numbers.

If any player other than a forward has to leave the field for any reason and cannot be replaced there will be no reduction in the players playing in the scrum.

This will be referred to the Chairman of the Rugby Committee for the Law to be amended to provide clarity.

Yours sincerely
David Carrigy
Head of External & Member Relations

Tiger Woods on the Rugby Field?

An amusing quote from Tiger Woods regarding the IOC's recommendation yesterday: http://www.time.com/time/quotes/0,26174,1916473,00.html?xid=rss-quotes

From Nigel Melvilles Blog.

Rugby made first cut for Olympics!

IOC backs golf, rugby for 2016 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee executive board selected the two Thursday from a list of seven proposed sports. Failing to make the cut were baseball, softball, squash, karate and roller sports.The board will submit golf and rugby for ratification by the full 106-member IOC assembly in Copenhagen in October.

Golf was played at the 1900 Paris Olympics and 1904 St. Louis Games. Tiger Woods and other top players have said they would compete if the sport comes back in 2016.

Rugby was last played at the 1924 Olympics in the full 15-a-side format. It proposes to return in the short-format 7-a-side version for both men and women.

Minuteman Award Recipients

The National Guard was generous enough to sponsor an additional award for Ohio High School Rugby Players this year. They stepped up to present the 'Minuteman Award' to one boy and one girl student athlete.

The competition was fierce and the selection was done through coach nominations of qualified players. The coaches were asked to focus their nominations of the students on attributes that are shared between rugby and the National Guard. Honor, First to react, Helpful, Physical Fitness, Work Ethic and Service were the principles the National Guard identified as pertaining to their Minutemen.

For the boys, Pat Van Horn from Parma Blackhearts was awarded the prize. Pat is an amazing young man that has a strong focus on his education, hard work on the rugby field and community service. Pat was awarded the minuteman trophy by a couple of local National Guard recruiters during Parmas old boys game.
Mary Vasinko was awarded the Girls Minuteman award for 2009. She is a founding member of the Mayfield Rugby team and has put countless hours into growing her team, focusing on her grades, working a full schedule and giving back to her community. She always has a smile on her face and was awarded her trophy during the 2009 Girls State Championship Banquet.

State Based Rugby Organization national meeting update

The State Based Rugby Organizations from around the country gathered this weekend in Chicago to discuss the issues of the day. National Youth and High School Director, Mark Griffin led the discussion which included 9 SBROs from around the country.

It was great to meet the representatives from each state and chat about the progress that is taking place. Some states are just starting out and some are fully operational, but all brought something to the table and contributed.


An outcomes document from the meeting will be produced and we will chat about the detail of the weekend at the RugbyOhio summer meeting.