rugby in my area

Question
I live in central massachusetts and was wondering where there was a team in my area because my school does not support it. I have never played rugby on a team before but would love to try it.  

Answer
Amanda,

There is not a lot of rugby in central Massachusetts.

The following are the MA state youth teams (mostly in Boston):
Arlington Catholic Rugby Foot
Boston College H.S.
Brookline High School
Catholic Memorial
Lincoln - Sudbury
Malden Catholic
Middlesex Youth RFC
St. John's Prep

Middlesex is likely the closest to you.

An option is not have school based, but community based team.  
-The Worchester Rugby Club may be willing to form a youth team.  
-Failing that just put an ad in the local paper; you will be surprised at the interest from other ladies in your community.  Additionally you likely discover that there are former rugby players in your community who would be willing to form a team.  
-Many of the women's colleges in Mass have a rugby team.

I started a youth rugby team in Kitsap country because a high school senior wanted to play rugby.  He did the ground work and recruiting.

You will find a lot of good information about Rugby in your region at the following website: http://www.nerfu.org/teamsidx.aspx

In order for you to better understand the game you want to start playing I have provided the following:

BASIC DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME

Rugby, at its very essence is a soccer game where the players pick up the ball and run with it.  Legend has it that the first Rugby game was a soccer game that a player in a fit of frustration picked up the soccer ball and started to run with it.  A somewhat colorful beginning for what has become one of the most enjoyable sports in the world.

The Object of the Game, as defined in the laws:

?  .  .  two teams of fifteen players each, observing fair play and according to the Laws and in a sporting spirit, should be carrying, passing, and kicking the ball to score as many points as possible.  ?br>
A player with the ball may advance the ball by running, kicking, or passing the ball.  He may kick it forward, but may only pass the ball laterally or behind him.  Other members of the team in possession of the ball must stay behind the ball to participate in the play.  There is no blocking for the ball carrier.  Any player on the pitch may run with the ball.

The field, the pitch as it is known in the Rugby world, is officially 70 meters by 120 meters, which of course is liberally interpreted at the local level.  A full-length rugby field, known as a 損itch,?is approximately 100 meters long by 70 meters wide with a 20-meter try (end) zone.  Many rugby fields in America measure 100 yards long by 75 yards wide, with try zone areas of 10 to 20 yards reflecting the tendency to use football fields.

There are fifteen players on the pitch per side.  The object of the game is to score by bringing the ball down field, crossing the goal (try) line, and putting the ball down with downward pressure in the try zone.  This first of three methods of scoring is worth five points.  The second is the after try conversion that is kicked directly out from the try zone where the ball was placed which is worth two points.  Finally, any other kick that goes between the goal posts is worth three points.

The matches have two forty minute halves with a five-minute half time.  The only substitutions allowed are for injuries, and these are limited.  For that reason, a player with a minor injury may get a minute or two to regain his composure, work out the cramps, or stem the flow of blood.  If the player cannot play on, he leaves the field.  Time taken out for injuries is made up in the last part of the match.

Teams themselves are broken down into two groups, the forwards, and the backs.  The forwards are similar in function to the offensive line in American football, while the backs are similar to the backs.  The forwards generally gain possession of the ball, and the backs generally advance the ball.  Rugby is a possession-based sport that places a premium on keeping the ball.  In addition, once the set play is completed, there is little difference between the forwards and backs.  Both groups can pick up the ball and run, can kick, can tackle, and get into rucks/mauls.  The only ways to advance the ball down the field are kicking or running.  It is illegal to pass the ball forward.  The player with ball may be stopped by tackling.  Play does not stop once a player is tackled.  If a player is tackled and taken to the ground, the tackled player must release the ball and cannot play the ball again until he regains his feet.  Depending on whether the player is on his feet (a maul), or on the ground (a ruck), a struggle ensues to either maintain, or gain possession of the ball and get it out to the backs.  Once a ruck is formed, hands may not be used to gain control of the ball.  This is done by either pushing the opposition off the ball, or moving the ball back with his feet.

For a minor infraction of the laws (rules of the game), or if the ball becomes tied up in a ruck or a maul, the referee will call for a scrum.  A scrum is the large cluster of shoving people, or more correctly the forwards of each team trying to gain possession of the ball by pushing the opposition off it.  Major infractions of the laws will result in either a penalty kick, or a free kick, depending on the severity of the infraction.  When the ball goes out of bounds, the play is reinitiated with a lineout.  This is when both teams line up opposite each other in two parallel lines and the team with the lineout throws the ball down the line between them.  Once the ball is in the air, both teams jump to catch the ball.

The opponents may tackle the ball carrier at any time.  Tackles must be made with the arms wrapped around the opponent抯 body below the shoulders.  A player may not leave his feet to make a diving tackle or to jump over an opponent.  Above the shoulder tackles, and other tackles deemed dangerous, are against the laws (rules) and are severely penalized.

Rugby is an impact sport.  The contact, while vigorous, is much less dangerous than in American football since there is no blocking, no rigid protective equipment allowed, and there are stringent rules on tackling.  The emphasis on possession and the requirement that only allows contact near the ball decreases the number of physical collisions.  Dirty, or dangerous, play is not allowed by the laws, nor is it tolerated by the players.  Rugby is still considered 揳 sport of ruffians and thugs played by gentleman?  Many players consider the sportsmanship aspect of the game its most important and significant attribute.

Good luck in finding, or starting a team.

Deane Shephard
Stuttgart RC