Ian Baird: staff reporter
Rugby is back in spring 2022 at Gleneagle! Crouch, bind and set yourself up in the best position on the boys or girls rugby team! Rugby is one of the fastest and easiest sports to learn. Would you be a wing, a scrum half, forward or a hooker? Why not TRY… it out?
This game originated in England in 1823 and has grown in popularity by making worldwide events like Rugby sevens and the World Cup.
“Rugby is one of the most welcoming sports for both men and women, because there is a position for everyone”.
There are two common ways to play rugby, with two teams of seven players or 15 players a side. Sevens is a fast-paced game, because in a game of rugby you get the ball, and you advance to the try zone at speed. You have fewer defenders/forwards tackling you so there are more opportunities for you to run past the opponent’s line. The tackles are the best in sevens because it’s the chasing that gets fans on their feet.
The main rule is to pass it backwards to advance into the opponent’s side of the field. “In rugby the game is about teamwork and support… to go forwards you have to go backwards”-Anonymous.
In the 15’s tackling every three seconds is all it is but if someone breaks away then it is a crazy force of strength by that player. On each team you will need the biggest guys for when you get tackled so they can protect and win the ruck, so if you are strong and have a weight advantage this is your time to shine. It will take a lot of agility to bob and weave through 15 other players and hope that you have two of your own teammates behind you to help you if you get tackled. It is also about teamwork and moving up as a line so the opponents can’t get past you.
What about rugby at Gleneagle? Rugby is easy to learn because there aren’t many rules. According to Mr. Quinto (Gleneagle rugby coach) you don’t need experience to play school rugby. “You try to ask anyone to join because the expectation is that everyone can join, so no experience is needed. Out of ten kids one or two have experience.” Mr. Quinto added “We build a culture of not just playing a game but showing how much fun it is to be with your teammates.”
“Regardless of your body shape size or weight, you can play rugby. Sturdy and strong win the tackles and rucks. Nimble and fast score the tries. It is a true team effort by a group of players who look very different from each other.” -Coquitlam parent
One way to avoid having cold fingers at practice is when catching the ball, don’t tickle the ball hug it. That is a common phrase used in many clubs. “If you tickle it as it is spiraling towards you and hits the tips of your fingers it stings, and you walk around in circles looking for the ball waving your hands like you’re at a rock concert.” Lukas Grade ten, He added “i enjoy rugby because I like contact, tackling sports and to be part of a team.”
Mr. Quinto is most excited about the future for girls and women in the sport. “Rugby is the fastest growing sport for women in Canada. More girls arrive at tryouts for rugby than boys. Most girls, when joining come in with questions, but at the end they come out with a sense of belonging. Can’t wait for my daughters to join the rugby mini league and for me to coach them and watch them as they improve” he added.
Off-season conditioning starts this November in the evenings at 7:30pm. Initially, this will be indoors and will include rugby skills training and speed/agility sets. There will also be weight training in the fitness room.
If you are interested in joining, please contact Mr. Quinto
Mr. Quinto
Lukas Grade 10
Marlene Heymans Rugby mom
https://hanazono-rugby-hos.com/museum-en/origins/
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