What we’re about
Ever since moving from the UK, I have missed playing rugby or even just rugby training. I see some rugby clubs in NYC, but they all train and play too far away.
My ultimate goal for this group is for a Rugby Club to form in the Jamaica area that has teams for men, women, girls and boys.
Rugby has always been an inclusive, fun and tough sport. People of all shapes and sizes can take part, people of all skill levels can play too. Socially, it's the best sport I've ever been involved in.
One of the big things with rugby though, is it can be played competitively, yet socially throughout your life. There's no need to wear armor or helmets, no need for skates or sticks. Just a ball, cleats, maybe a couple of tackle pads to hold for practice. There is still risk for injury when playing full contact, but only the ball carrier can be tackled, so it's less likely to be blindsided.
To begin with though, I know I can't expect a team of 15+ players ready to play in any age group, but I would like to see a few people interested in just throwing a ball around, running some drills to practice, have enough people to play touch rugby together too and maybe get used to tackling, rucking, mauling and scrummaging safely. We'd go over the laws of the game, as it can seem intimidating or confusing, but it's really easy.
Traditionally, rugby practice is Tuesday and Thursday evenings for adults, Saturday mornings for kids, club games would be played on Saturdays, and I'd like to use either Roy Wilkins Park on Merrick Blvd or Baisley Park south of Rockaway Blvd - but really any Football or Soccer pitch will work - actual grass is better, but turf will work too.
If you played Football in college, want your kids to play something a bit tougher than soccer but less dangerous than football, but still instill the drive, teamwork and competitive spirit that football gives, then rugby really could be the sport for you.
