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Woodlands Rugby Gets Set For A New Season

By: Clive Rayton
| Published 11/09/2018

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- For anyone wanting to try a different sport, “Why not Play Rugby!” That’s the message from Woodlands Area Youth Rugby Club better known as Woodlands Rugby as they prepare for a new season. Activities begin this November with “Try Rugby Tuesdays”, which are free introductory ‘get to know Rugby sessions’ for new players and ‘touch Rugby’ for the younger age groups. Training also begins for the older age groups, with the regular season starting in January and running through May.

Rugby is one of the fastest growing youth sports in the nation and the Club has seen a big increase in the number of participating players in recent years. Interest in the sport has also driven the formation of many new club, school, college and adult teams across the state. Houston even has a new professional Rugby team, the Houston Sabercats, who debuted this year in the inaugural season for Major League Rugby. The growth in Rugby comes from the sport’s unique values, centered on teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship. More important though, it’s about joining a family. Strong friendships amongst players and fans continue for life and Rugby clubs around the world help making new friends easy wherever you are.

Woodlands Area Youth Rugby Club is a non-profit youth sports organization with the mission and vision to develop and encourage youth players and fuel their passion for rugby and build an appreciation for the game. The Club aims to facilitate access for all local boys and girls from Kindergarten to 12th grade. While many of our players come from the North Harris and South Montgomery county areas, players from any and all school districts are accepted allowing players to bond with a diverse group of teammates from all over the Greater Houston area. Practices and home games are played at the Alden Bridge Sports Park on two lighted regulation size turf Rugby fields.

The club has experienced tremendous growth and on-field success since its inception in 2009. Now recognized as the largest youth Rugby club in Texas by Rugby Texas, the Club received the Club of the Year award for the 2018 season. All youth level teams won tournaments last season with the High School Boys finishing the 2018 season as State runner-up losing in the State Championship by two points after having won the State Championship in 2017. The Club has had players go on to play on select state and national teams, as well as, play in college on partial and full scholarships. There is even one former player playing for the Houston Sabercats.

The Club follows a structured approach to age grade-based player development. Progression through basic Rugby skills and game knowledge form the basis of safety and enjoyment of the game. Head coach Frank Rizzo says that “Unlike almost any other team sports, Rugby is about all players having the same opportunity to run with the ball, pass the ball, and play defense. It’s a game for all shapes, sizes, and skill levels and you need everyone to participate. Because of that, everyone gets to participate.”

More information about Woodlands Area Youth Rugby Club, including training schedules and how to sign-up, can be found at www.woodlandsrugby.org.

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