Mobile Area Youth Rugby to Invade the Wiregrass

Olympic-style rugby (seven-a-side) will debut in the Rio games next summer but Rugby Alabama and ASF are not waiting until 2016 to feature the newest Olympic sport. Rugby was introduced to the Alabama State Games in 2011, following rugby's readmission to the Summer Olympics. Since 2011, dozens of new teams have popped up all across Alabama. In 2014, over thirty teams competed in various divisions for the prized medals awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers. The divisions include U12, where flags are utilized to simulate  tackle and does not include the typical set-piece play of scrums, lineouts or kicks. U12 teams are traditionally co-ed. U15 progresses to uncontested set-piece play to get our younger players accustomed to the full-on tackle and set-piece play found in the U19 divisions. U15 and above are traditionally not co-ed. There are also Collegiate and Senior Men's and Women's divisions represented.

While Mobile has been well-represented in the Alabama State Games at the Senior and Collegiate divisions, bringing home silver in the Senior division in the 2012, Mobile has been missing in the U19 division and below. 2015 is the year we introduce Mobile Area Youth Rugby to the Alabama State Games. We are registering two U12 and two U19 teams for the Alabama State Games June 13th at Westgate Park in Dothan, AL.  The age determination date for ASF is June 13, 2015. ASF aims to double youth participation each year, and Mobile's efforts will be instrumental in the lasting success of the ASF. 

Mobile Area Youth Rugby (U12 and U15) and South Alabama High School Rugby (U19) are currently practicing at Spring Hill College on Dorn Field Sundays 2pm to 330pm. If you are interested in learning more about Olympic-style rugby, come on out. There is no cost to Give Rugby a Try! Registration is open now for anyone interested in competing in the Alabama State Games. You can start by visiting the USA Rugby link below to register as a member of Mobile Area Youth Rugby or South Alabama High School Rugby, or you can stop by our practice as on-site registration is available.

For more information, email [email protected] or  visit the following links:

www.mobilerugby.org
www.alagames.net/sport/rugby
https://webpoint.usarugby.org/wp/Memberships/Join.wp