Rugby

Everyone!  Both boys and girls play rugby.  Rugby is a great sport for all kids - no matter the body type or whether fast or slow, there is a place for everyone on a rugby team!  The camaraderie of rugby is an aspect of the sport that sets it apart from others.  Rugby is truly a team sport where everyone gets to run with and pass and catch the ball.  Kids age 6 through high school can play in the Hounds Youth Rugby program.  Kids generally play in age groups of K-2nd grade, 3rd/4th grade, 5th/6th grade, 7th/8th grade, and high school.   

Rugby was first played at the Rugby School in Warwickshire, England in 1823.  It's now played by millions of people worldwide.   Rugby, which pre-dates American football, is a fast-paced game with far fewer stoppages than football.  The ball is larger than an American football and has no laces.  The rugby field is called the "pitch."  "Trys" are scored by touching the ball down to the ground beyond the goal line in the try zone and are worth 5 points.  Conversion kicks through the goal posts after a try are worth 2 points.  Penalty kicks are worth 3 points.  Goal kicks are also worth 3 points.  

Rugby has many variations.  It can be played with 7 (referred to as "7s"), 10 ("10s"), or 15 players per side and can be played with no contact or with contact depending on age and experience level.  The Wolfhounds Youth K-2, 3rd/4th, and 5th/6th teams play 7's with no contact flag rugby while the 7th/8th teams add more complex techniques and begins to tackle in addition to what they previously learned.  The high school teams play full tackle rugby. 

The Wolfhounds play the type of rugby that is known as "Rugby Union" which the most popular type of rugby in the world.  "Rugby League" rugby follows a different set of rules, scores differently than Rugby Union, and has a different number of players on the field.  "Gaelic Football" and "Australian Rules Football" have some similarities to rugby but are totally different sports!

For parents:  

Rugby develops:

- respect for self and others

- teamwork & camaraderie

- focus & concentration

- strength & coordination

- confidence & character

through practice and competition.

For kids:  It's just a really fun sport!