Rugby spreads scrum through valley as popularity grows through unique sport
Friday Night Lights 2 emerges, but with a scrum instead of a huddle, and a lineout instead of linemen.
Bill Blake, coach of the Oshkosh rugby squad, hopes to incorporate the sport into the Event City.
“We know that rugby is a foreign concept to the majority of Americans because we don't grow up playing it,” he said. “The vast majority of our players have never held a rugby ball before their first practice and by their second week are watching games online and watching YouTube videos to increase their skills.”
Blake is also looking to introduce the rapidly growing sport to a wide spectrum of competition, from junior clinics to adult leagues.
“Our focus is to build our programs at all levels: youth flag rugby, middle school tackle, and high school tackle,” he said. “ Rugby is the fastest growing sport in the US, and there is an ever increasing number of scholarships becoming available for players at the college level.”
The physically demanding sport runs during the spring season, and has attracted many athletes who enjoy the intense premise of rugby.
Senior Bryce Joel joined on a whim and doesn’t regret his decision one bit.
“I started playing rugby last year after hearing about it from some buddies I used to play football with,” he said. “Rugby is very fun. The games are so fun and the feeling of making a good hit, or getting a good run is a feeling of pure bliss.”
Being involved with many sports himself, senior Taylor Block wanted in on the action.
“I joined rugby simply to try something new and get involved in something that could get me in shape to show off my summer bod,” he said.
Unlike any other sport, rugby features a unique social aspect of the game that allows the players to interact and build a community.
Blake enjoys the sport’s contagious environment.
“One thing that is unique to the sport is the ‘socials’, where both teams get together after the game and sit down and have a meal,” he said. “After a hard fought 60-minute match, the teams sit down for a meal together, commonly followed by each team announcing their ‘Man of the Match’ or ‘Women of the match’. If you try it you are hooked.”
Joel has a favorite part of Oshkosh Rugby.
“By far the best part is the comradery with some fine gentlemen that I wouldn't otherwise have gotten to know,” he said. “I love the grind and seeing these boys get better as the season progresses.”
More than just teammates, rugby also provides an opportunity for players to build relationships with athletes from other areas.
Coach Blake notes the importance of building the rugby community in the surrounding area.
“Rugby gives students the opportunity to play with athletes from other local schools within the conference and state to grow their network,” he said. “We also have a select side team in the state that travels all over the country to play other top tier programs.”
In addition to community, equality plays an important factor in the sport. Men and women are encouraged to play, and there is a role for everybody on the field, according to Blake.
“In our sport there is full equality in the rules and game play for boys and girls teams. They use the same equipment, play by the same rules and have the same sense of community,” he said. “Rugby is a team sport and it requires every player on the field to be able to run with the ball, pass, catch, and tackle. We play 15 players per side and each position requires a different body type and skill set.”
Block agrees.
“It is an engaging sport that challenges players to think on their feet and work with others on a team towards a common goal,” he said. “The Oshkosh Rugby Club has a very close knit group of individuals who are easy going and welcoming to any new members no matter the experience level.”
As a second year team member, Joel will treasure favorite moments from his time on the team.
“I love anytime there is a lineout. I jump for lineouts and it is one of the most fun and unique parts of the game,” he said. “My favorite overall memory was competing in the state semi finals, where we unfortunately lost by two. I hope to go farther with this year's team and maybe bring the Kraft Cup (Rugby state championship) home to Oshkosh.”
Preparing for their first match, Blake can barely contain his excitement for the season.
“Each week we get more players out and are continuing to get better as a squad,” he said. “One of the most common things I hear when talking to some of the players from the Oshkosh Men's Rugby Club about the high school team is ‘man, I wish I knew about rugby in high school’. It's a sport unlike any other and you won't regret giving it a try!”
By John Vanden Heuvel
Oshkosh West Index Volume 118 Issue 7
April 25th, 2022