Game of rugby

By Bethany Stubna
For the Times West Virginian

October 12, 2008 10:23 pm

— School can be a stressful environment for college students, often leaving students looking for an outlet for their excess levels of energy and aggression.
In that case, the sport of rugby may be for you. Rugby is a fun, fast-paced, competitive, contact sport that can help alleviate anxiety from the realm of academia.
West Virginia University offers a men’s and women’s rugby team, one of 22 club sports provided by the university for students. This action packed sport is growing in popularity and can be feverishly catching for thrill seeking college students.
“I like the spirit of camaraderie that rugby promotes,” said Leah Cunningham, the president of the women’s rugby team. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a small or large player, there’s a place for you on the field.”
Rugby was developed in England in the early 1800s. The sport could be considered a mix between football and soccer. There are 15 players on the field at all times and consist of two groups, the forwards, also known as the “pack,” are made up of eight players. The second group contains the remaining players and they are called the “backs.” There is one referee that serves as: score keeper, time keeper and judge. The game also has two touch judges, appointed by each team to follow the play and designate when the ball is out of bounds.
The ball is slightly larger then that of a football and the field can’t be longer then 110 yards; the try zones harbor goal posts in the shape of an “H.” A try is a score of five points and occurs when a player moves the ball into their opponent’s goal zone. Two additional points can be earned with a successful kick through the goal posts. Also a three point goal can be acquired via a penalty kick from the field of play. Unlike football rugby, players don’t wear padding or protection, aside from mouth guards and the optional scrum cap, a cap made from leather that is designed to protect the ears and head.
“It’s a fun sport. It’s easy to learn and you make a lot of new friends,” said Bethany Jennings, a team player.
Rugby season is currently in full swing and the men and women’s teams play in the Allegheny Rugby Union. The club sport is completely self sustained. The rugby teams were allotted $3,100 this year from the $46,000 that was divided among the university clubs. The teams participate in fundraisers so they can afford insurance for the team and traveling costs to away games. The teams also actively participate in community service events.
This close network of players allows individuals to make new friends and develop a true sense of teamwork. There are two team captains, a captain for the pack players and a captain for the back players. Two heads are better then one as the old saying goes; by having two team captains, there is one individual presiding over the defense and offense. The captains instruct their comrades on what plays to execute on the field and they are the only ones allowed to talk to the referee during a game.
“I think this sport makes you closer to your team then any other sport,” said Jenny Weidman, the team captain for the back line. “It’s hard to stop playing.”
One thing about rugby, play is continuous unless: a try occurs, a penalty takes place or the ball goes out of bounds. The play doesn’t stop if the ball carrier gets tackled. Interestingly enough, the ball can not be passed in a forward fashion. It must be thrown backward to teammates or moved latterly down the field. Players have the option to carry the ball or kick the ball.
Injuries rarely dissuade rugby players of both genders from returning to the field. West Virginia University is unique as it provides the rugby teams with two athletic trainers that attend every practice and every game. There isn’t a moment a trainer isn’t on site in the event an injury should occur.
“Injuries are a fact of life in rugby; big injuries don’t happen often. It’s mainly bumps and bruises,” said Cunningham.
Rugby is notorious for fostering friendships and team unity. After the intense 80 minute rivalry on the field, it is customary for the host teams to hold a coed rugby social. These socials provide players with the opportunity to fellowship with team members as well the opposing teams.
“We leave it all on the field and go hang out with the other team and let bygones be bygones. It keeps the rugby community strong,” said Cunningham.
Rugby provides individuals with friendships, exercise and the opportunity to travel. Prodeo, a Latin word for moving forward, is the team’s motto. So consider yourself challenged to move forward into the world of rugby and dare to be different.

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