Parent Information:
Dear Rugby Parents:
Parents are
an important part of each High School rugby team. We hope you will
support your daughter or son by attending matches, and by cheering for
the team. We also have a Rugby Parents Club...all are welcome.
Many
parents are brand new to rugby. Most parents have questions about our
sport, and about how our teams are operated. We have prepared a special
"FAQ" section in an effort to provide answers to most such questions.
For
those who have questions about the Rules of rugby, please refer to the
article entitled "Spectators Guide to Rugby", which is included on the player forms page.
Thank you,
The Syracuse Youth Rugby Football Club RFC Coaching Staff
QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED BY PARENTS ABOUT RUGBY
1. What can my son or daughter expect from rugby?
2.
What is the Syracuse Youth Rugby Football Club, and why isn't it
affiliated with the school district? 3. Who is in charge of the
various teams?
4. What can parents do to help the rugby program?
5. How do High School coaches feel about High School soccer and football athletes playing rugby in the Spring?
6. When does the rugby season begin and end?
7. Can my son or daughter still play other sports and also play rugby?
8. Do the coaches suspend rugby athletes who are not getting passing grades at school?
9. Is there a fund raising obligation?
10. Is there any college scholarship money available for rugby athletes?
11. What kind of equipment is needed to play rugby, and what is the cost?
12. How much are individual member dues for the season, and how are they spent?
13. SAFETY IN THE TACKLE: How can these kids play "football" without wearing pads or helmets?
14. Are there a lot of injuries in rugby?
15. What happens if my son or daughter is injured during a match or practice?
16. Does the club provide medical insurance?
17. Is there a lot of travel involved?
18. Who is in charge when the team goes on overnight trips?
19. Does the club provide transportation to and from "away" matches?
20. Does the team have a drug and alcohol policy in place?
21. How much time is spent on rugby on a weekly basis?
22. Are there any special considerations for female rugby athletes?
Answers:
1. What can my son or daughter expect from rugby?
Fun.
First and foremost, rugby is a lot of fun. It is a simple game that
requires aerobic fitness, and provides an outlet for youthful energy
and athletic expression. Rugby is considered the ultimate "team" game,
with camaraderie its centerpiece. Rugby is played in every nation on
earth, and is now the most popular club sport on the American college
campus, especially among college women.
Joining the local rugby
team also brings membership in an international athletic fraternity...a
chance to tour and travel, and to establish lifelong friendships with
teammates and opponents alike.
Playing rugby also helps athletes
fine tune skills that are important in other sports such as football,
wrestling, lacrosse, soccer and basketball.
2. What is the "Syracuse Youth Rugby Football Club", how is it organized, and why isn't it affiliated with the school district?
Our
Rugby Team has opted to remain unaffiliated with the school district so
that we may offer rugby to student athletes from all local
schools...not just Jamesville-DeWitt or Syracuse City Schools.
ABOUT THE CLUB
All
of our coaches are required to be trained and accredited by USA Rugby,
our national governing body. The club is also a member in good
standing of the New York State Rugby Football Union.
3. Who is in charge?
Our
High School team is operated by the NYSRU and at least one adult who is
trained and fully accredited by USA Rugby is assigned to coach and
administer each session.
4. What can parents do to help the rugby program?
Each
team needs parents to take turns supplying items like oranges and
drinks for matches, and helping to launder the team's jerseys. We need
parents to take turns videotaping our home and away matches. We need
parents as chaperones when the teams travel, and to drive vans to rugby
events. We need parents' ideas and suggestions.
We are also in need of parents with medical training (EMT, RN, MD, DC, etc.) to attend matches.
But
most of all, we would be thrilled to have as many parents as possible
on the sidelines at matches, cheering for the teams and providing fan
support.
5. How do High School coaches feel about High School soccer and football athletes playing rugby in the Spring?
It
depends on which school is involved, and which coach you ask. There is
no single answer, and the answers seem to vary a bit from year to year.
We have communicated on this issue with several football coaches in
our area. Most of these coaches have stated in the past that they do
not object to their football athletes playing rugby, as long as rugby
does not interfere with Spring weight lifting programs. Some coaches
look at rugby as great spring football training.
Parents and players are encouraged to discuss this issue directly with the coaches at your school.
It
may be worth noting that there are dozens of schools in the USA and in
Canada where football, soccer and rugby co-exist as varsity sports.
Coaches at these schools report that rugby is an excellent off-season
sport for football, basketball, lacrosse hockey and soccer athletes. Be sure to
read the article entitled "How Rugby makes Better Football Athletes" by
sports journalist Alex Goff.
6. When does the season begin and end?
The
competitive rugby season begins in March, and ends in May. There are
also optional summer "Sevens" tournaments and All Star programs in June
and July.
Informal, optional practices are offered in the fall.
These sessions are designed to be fun, and focus mostly on two-hand
touch rugby, camaraderie, fitness and development of basic skills.
Practice
starts officially in March at the schools, or at a local gym, or on a
lighted field....if turf conditions permit. Our team generally
practices 2-3 afternoons or evenings per week. Start times vary
depending on the team and the coaches. Matches start in early March,
and are usually held on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays afternoons.
The
High School rugby season concludes in May with local and regional
Tournaments involving boys and girls High School rugby teams. If our
team does well, we have a chance to move on to territorial and national
championship events in May. Rugby is the only High School sport that
crowns a National Champion.
7. Can my son play other sports and also play rugby?
Yes,
of course! Our rugby coaches do not support the idea of "single sport,
year-round athletes" at the High School level. We believe that student
athletes should experience as many sports as possible while they are
young and able to do so.
We always encourage our rugby athletes to
play fall sports at school, and also a winter sport such as basketball,
wrestling or winter track. Athletes engaged in a winter sport may
simply join the rugby team upon conclusion of the winter sport program,
with absolutely no penalty for having missed our early season practice
sessions.
There have been numerous instances in the past where our
High School rugby athletes have also played a spring sport at school
(baseball, lacrosse, track) in addition to rugby. We leave this up to
the individual player and parents, who are best able to determine
whether the athlete has enough time and resources to play two sports at
the same time.
8. Do you suspend athletes who are not getting good grades at school?
The answer depends on which school the athlete attends.
No
formal or informal arrangements are in place with any public schools
regarding monitoring of grades yet we will support the will of
parents.
9. Is there a team fund-raising obligation?
No.
Since we receive no financial or other support from any school
district, our teams are dependent upon corporate partnerships and
athlete dues to fund basic operational costs. We depend upon
participation fees and fundraising to pay the costs of tours and
travel.
Thus, no athlete or parent is "required" to participate in fund-raising activities.
10. Is there any college scholarship money available for rugby athletes?
Several
universities offer partial scholarships and grants to rugby athletes,
including Penn State University St. Bonaventure University, UB, Etc...
11. What kind of equipment is needed to play rugby, and what is the cost?
One
of the great things about rugby is that there is very little equipment
needed. All you really need is a patch of grass, five or six players,
and a ball...and you can play rugby.
Athletes may wish to buy
rugby cleats ($35-$90). Football or soccer shoes will suffice if the
player does not wish to buy rugby cleats, but the front cleat must be
removed. It is also recommended that each player by his or her own
rugby ball to practice with ($20), but this is not required.
The club supplies jerseys & Socks, the player must supply shorts, and a mouth guard (Team shorts/socks are available.
Rugby gear may be purchased on line and in sport stores.
12. How much are individual member dues for the season, and how are they spent?
Individual
dues are currently set at $100. This helps pay for the player's USA
Rugby CIPP registration, jersey, field paint, field rental, practice
lights, and Referee fees during the course of the season.
Confidential
payment plans are available for players on a tight budget. Dues may be
waived on a confidential basis in instances of serious financial
hardship, and fundraisers can be in place to assist players with paying
dues.
13. SAFETY IN THE TACKLE: How can these kids play "football" without wearing pads or helmets?
It is very important to recognize that rugby athletes are not playing football.
They
are playing rugby, and there is a big difference. The ball is the same
general shape as in football, but that is where the similarities end.
Most
of the thousands of injuries suffered each year in football result from
dangerous techniques that are only encouraged by the wearing of
so-called "protective" gear. Since rugby tackling requires a
"grapple-and-wrap" tackle (as in wrestling) there is no need for
helmets and pads.
Further, there is absolutely no blocking in
rugby, and therefore fewer injuries to knees and ankles as a result of
poor or illegal blocking tactics.
Rugby tackling is very different
than football tackling, and is much more like a "takedown" in
wrestling. All rugby athletes are taught to tackle and be tackled
safely, by USA Rugby accredited coaches, before they are allowed to
participate in contact practices and matches.
You will not see in
rugby the "spearing" type of tackle that is encouraged in football.
Football athletes are taught to launch their bodies, and to use their
helmets and shoulder pads as weapons. In rugby, there is no spearing
permitted, and no tackling allowed by grabbing or hitting above the
tackled athlete's chest area. Such tactics are strictly illegal in
rugby, and will result in an immediate ejection from the match, plus a
suspension for up to three future matches.
Rugby athletes are
strictly required to wrap their arms around the ball carrier when
making a tackle ...no cross-armed impacts, no purposeful head-on-head
collisions, no initiation of contact with the head and neck.
It is
also important to understand that the ball carrier in rugby is not
striving for the extra yard necessary to make a first down as is often
the case in the gridiron game.
Many football injuries occur when the
ball carrier is clutching the ball very tightly to avoid a fumble,
while driving forward, head down, just to pound out the extra yard,
foot or inch needed to reach the first down marker. In football,
would-be tacklers likewise drive forward and launch their bodies, head
down, in an effort to put their "weapons" (helmet and shoulder pads)
between the ball carrier and the first-down marker, or to dislodge the
ball and cause a fumble. And that is how most injuries occur in
gridiron football.
In football, the bigger and more violent the
collision, the less chance there is of a first down, and the more
likely there will be a fumble. This is how thousands of football
athletes suffer serious head and spinal injuries each year, despite
being equipped with heavy shoulder pads and hard plastic helmets. But
the violent collisions in football help to sell tickets and generate
vast TV audiences.
There are no first downs in rugby. And no fumbles either. Rugby is all about passing.
Rugby
is a fast-flowing game of continuous motion. Rugby is based on
teamwork, and quick passing ("recycling") of the ball to supporting
teammates. Rugby is not focused on individual efforts, or gaining an
extra few inches, or crushing a ball carrier. A rugby athlete who is
about to be tackled (or who is in the process of being tackled) is
primarily interested in passing or rolling the ball back to a
supporting athlete. The tackled athlete wants to get rid of the ball,
not hold on to it and take additional "hits" in an effort to gain a few
more inches. In this way, the rugby ball remains actively in play, and
the tackle situation (if one arises at all) is quickly and safely
concluded.
Soft "cloth-and-foam" headgear and soft shoulder pads are
now available for optional use in rugby. Current data as to the safety
and efficacy of these items is inconclusive. The decision on whether to
purchase and use these items is up to the athlete and his or her
parents.
14. Are there a lot of injuries in rugby?
No,
there is a tremendous amount of misinformation on this important issue.
Most of this misinformation is given out by folks who know little or
nothing about rugby, or who are often personally "invested" in sports
that they perceive as competing with rugby for talented athletes.
Coaches and officials involved in "traditional" sports tend to promote their own interests, and protect their own "turf".
However,
and contrary to popular belief, there are actually very few serious
injuries in rugby. As with all contact sports, there are bumps and
bruises, and occasional sprains, concussions and fractures.
True,
rugby is a contact sport, and a vigorous one. However, the rate of
serious injury in rugby is less than that experienced in other contact
sports, such as football and ice hockey. The rate of serious injuries
in rugby is roughly comparable to that in soccer and lacrosse, and
substantially less than in sports like skiing, in-line skating and
skateboarding.
15. What happens if my son or daughter is injured during a match or practice?
Injuries
do occur in rugby, just as they occur in any contact sport. A fully
stocked first aid kit is always on hand to treat minor injuries, (i.e.
bumps, bruises and minor cuts and scrapes). Athletes are responsible
for reporting minor injuries to their parents. However, injuries that
are suspected to be more serious in nature (i.e. fractures, larger
cuts, concussions, and serious sprains) are reported immediately to the
player's parent or guardian by the coach.
A cell phone is present
at all practices and matches in the event of an emergency. A community
ambulance is often present at matches, or is at least available nearby.
Our teams can not presently afford to hire and pay a professional
athletic trainer, an EMT, or a team physician on a regular basis.
Certified trainers are present at some matches, and some tournaments,
but not at all events. Appropriate action will of course be taken in
the event that an injury requires emergency attention, and a parent
cannot be located.
At the beginning of the season, all parents are
required to fill out a form, so as to provide emergency contact
information. Parents are also requested to sign a Medical Authorization
form in the event that emergency treatment is needed and a parent
cannot be located on an immediate basis to authorize such treatment.
16. Does the club provide medical or disability insurance?
No,
Syracuse Youth RFC does not provide medical or disability insurance of
any kind to any of its athletes or coaches. No rugby club in the entire
USA provides such insurance to its athletes or coaches, at any age
level. No medical or disability insurance is provided for our rugby
athletes by any school, school district, or by the Archdiocese. Each
rugby athlete must arrange for his or her own coverage through his or
her family, and this applies to all RFC teams.
17. How much travel is involved?
Most of our High School team matches are within a 1-2 hour drive. See our schedule.
18. Who is in charge when the team goes on overnight trips?
The
ultimate responsibility for supervision of the athletes rests upon the
accredited head coach of the team with regard to all rugby activities,
including team travel. This is a responsibility that is taken very
seriously. After all, most of our coaches are also parents.
In
addition to the head coach, parent chaparones and at least one
assistant coach travel with the team on overnight trips. Parents must
sign a permission slip, and are provided with a comprehensive Trip
Itinerary and telephone contact information in the event of an
emergency.
All athletes and their parents are required to review
and sign a comprehensive "Code of Conduct" in connection with each
travel event. Horseplay, and the possession, transport or use of drugs
and/or alcohol are strictly forbidden and will not be tolerated.
Players who misbehave or violate the Code of Conduct are removed from
the travel event and either segregated from the team (under
supervision) or sent home, at the option of the coaching staff, and at
the parent's expense.
The club reserves the right to permanently
revoke or suspend all membership privileges in the event of serious
misconduct, including especially the possession, transport or use of
drugs or alcohol.
19. Does the club provide transportation to and from "away" matches?
Sometimes,
but not always. The club can not always afford to rent buses or vans on
a regular basis. Ordinarily, team travel to "away" matches is by
carpool. Carpool vehicles are operated by coaches, parents and (in some
instances) by the athletes themselves. Every effort is made to avoid
situations where athletes are operating carpool vehicles, but this is
not always possible. Much depends on the level of parental support
being offered to the team.
Parents should be sure to discuss
travel plans with their athletes, including the identity of the person
who will be driving. Syracuse Youth RFC is not responsible for the
actions of persons operating carpool vehicles.
For trips involving
long distance travel, the club will usually arrange for a rented buses
or vans. Buses are operated by professional drivers. Vans are operated
by adult club members, coaches and parent chaperones. Athletes are
sometimes asked to "chip in" so as to help pay for the vans or buses.
20. Do the teams have drug and alcohol policies in place?
Yes,
Absolutely. Drug and alcohol use will not be tolerated, and is strictly
forbidden in connection with all rugby practices, matches, tours and
events. Athletes who are suspected of possessing, transporting or using
drugs or alcohol are suspended from the team on an immediate basis,
pending parental consultation. The club reserves the right to
permanently terminate the membership privilege of any athlete suspected
of possessing, transporting or using drugs or alcohol in connection
with any rugby practice, match or other event.
Further, if a coach
suspects that an athlete may be involved in drug or alcohol use outside
of rugby events, the situation will be brought to the attention of the
athlete's parent or guardian, immediately, and on a confidential basis.
21. How much time is spent on rugby on a weekly basis?
Our
teams generally engage in 2-3 afternoon or evening practices per week,
usually lasting about two hours per session. Matches are held on
Saturday, Sunday afternoons. Thus, the average time investment per week
is about seven hours on rugby, not including travel. No player is
penalized in any way if he or she needs to skip rugby practices or
matches in order to study, or to attend family, school or church
events.
In addition to the seven or so hours of "team time"
mentioned above, athletes are strongly encouraged to engage in a
personal fitness program on their own, outside of practice. Rugby is
much more fun when the participant is fit.
Yes, Female rugby athletes practice and compete separately from male rugby athletes. There is no "co-ed" rugby, except for occasional two-hand touch rugby games and drills during the off-season. Boys and girls may, on rare occasions, participate in strictly non-contact rugby drills during some practice sessions, under the direct supervision of qualified and accredited adult coaches.
There are no special variations in the rules of rugby for female athletes. Girls tackle and get tackled just as boys do, and tend to practice and compete with the same level of intensity as their male counterparts. In fact, some might argue that high school aged female athletes are more focused on learning rugby skills and tactics than are their male counterparts.
It is interesting to note that Women's' rugby is now by far the most popular club sport on the American college campus. The NCAA has recognized Women's Rugby as an "Emerging Sport" at the college level, thereby paving the way for potential athletic scholarships under Title IX. Further, the USA National Women's' Rugby team won a recent World Championship, and is consistently ranked in the top levels of international rugby. The 2001 "International Player of the Year" was a young female athlete from California.