| Ms. Carrie Nussbaum - Advisor |
| Mr. Bob Cronquist – Head Coach |
| Mr. Matt Nussbaum – Asst. Coach |
Dear Rugby Parents:
Parents are an important part of the Lakewood High School Rugby Club. We hope you will support your son
by attending matches, and by cheering for the team. We also have a Rugby Parents Group.....all are
welcome. Many parents are brand new to rugby. Most parents have questions about our sport, and about
how the team is operated. We have prepared the following in an effort to provide answers to most questions
that you may have.
by attending matches, and by cheering for the team. We also have a Rugby Parents Group.....all are
welcome. Many parents are brand new to rugby. Most parents have questions about our sport, and about
how the team is operated. We have prepared the following in an effort to provide answers to most questions
that you may have.
Thank you,
The Lakewood High School Boys Rugby Club Staff
What can my son expect from rugby?
Fun. First and foremost, rugby is a lot of fun. It is a simple game that requires aerobic fitness, and provides
an outlet for youthful energy and athletic expression. Rugby is considered the ultimate team game, with
camaraderie it's centerpiece. Rugby is played in every nation on the planet, and is now the most popular
club sport on the American college campus.
an outlet for youthful energy and athletic expression. Rugby is considered the ultimate team game, with
camaraderie it's centerpiece. Rugby is played in every nation on the planet, and is now the most popular
club sport on the American college campus.
Joining the LHS Rugby Club also brings membership in an international athletic fraternity....a chance to tour
and travel, and to establish lifelong friendships with teammates and opponents alike. Playing rugby also
helps athletes fine tune skills that are important in other sports such as football, wrestling, and basketball.
and travel, and to establish lifelong friendships with teammates and opponents alike. Playing rugby also
helps athletes fine tune skills that are important in other sports such as football, wrestling, and basketball.
What is the “Lakewood High School Boys Rugby Club”?
Our rugby team was granted “Club Sport” status by the school administration in 2006. The club is also a
member in good standing with the Ohio Youth Rugby Association and the Northeast Ohio Rugby League.
member in good standing with the Ohio Youth Rugby Association and the Northeast Ohio Rugby League.
Who is in charge?
The team is run by the Co-Advisors and the Coaches listed at the top of the page.
What can parents do to help?
We need parents to help with fundraising, transportation to and from matches, videotaping matches, and
laundering jerseys. Most of all, we would be thrilled to have as many parents as possible on the sidelines at
matches, cheering for the team and providing fan support.
laundering jerseys. Most of all, we would be thrilled to have as many parents as possible on the sidelines at
matches, cheering for the team and providing fan support.
When does the season begin and end?
Informal, optional practices are offered in the fall. These sessions are designed to be fun, and focus mostly
on two hand touch rugby, camaraderie, fitness and development of basic skills. These sessions will run until
Thanksgiving Break. Practice starts officially in early January at one of the local gyms.
on two hand touch rugby, camaraderie, fitness and development of basic skills. These sessions will run until
Thanksgiving Break. Practice starts officially in early January at one of the local gyms.
Our matches start in early April and end at the end of May.
Can my son play other sports and also play rugby?
Yes, of course! We do not support the idea of “single sport, year-round athletes”. We believe that student
athletes should experience as many sports as possible.
athletes should experience as many sports as possible.
We always encourage encourage our rugby athletes to play fall sports at school, and also a winter sport
such as basketball, or wrestling. Athletes engaged in a winter sport may simply join the rugby team upon
conclusion of the winter sport program, with absolutely no penalty for having missed our early season
practice sessions.
such as basketball, or wrestling. Athletes engaged in a winter sport may simply join the rugby team upon
conclusion of the winter sport program, with absolutely no penalty for having missed our early season
practice sessions.
Do you suspend athletes who are not getting good grades at school?
Yes, we will suspend students because of grades.
Is there a team fundraising obligation?
No athlete or parent is required to participate in fundraising activities.
Is there any college scholarship money available for rugby athletes?
Several universities offer partial scholarships and grants to rugby players.
What kind of equipment is needed to play rugby, and what is the cost?
One of the great things about rugby is that there is very little equipment needed. All you really need is a
patch of grass, five or six players, and a ball...and you can play rugby.
patch of grass, five or six players, and a ball...and you can play rugby.
Athletes may wish to buy rugby cleats($45-$90). Soccer shoes will suffice if the player does not wish to buy
rugby cleats.
rugby cleats.
The club supplies jerseys for each match, the player must supply shorts socks, and a mouth guard. These
items can be purchased through LHS Rugby.
items can be purchased through LHS Rugby.
How much are individual dues for the season, and how are they spent?
Individual dues are currently set at $125.00. This pays for referees, trainers, jerseys and all other associated
costs for the season.
costs for the season.
How can these kids play rugby without wearing pads or helmets?
It is very important to recognize that rugby athletes are not playing football. They are playing rugby, and there
is a big difference. The ball is the same general shape as in football, but that is where the similarities end.
Most of the injuries in football result from techniques that are encouraged by the wearing of so-called
protective gear. Football players are taught to launch their bodies, and to use their helmets and shoulder
pads as weapons. In rugby, there is no blocking and the tackling is very different. Tackling in rugby is much
like a takedown in wrestling. You can not “spear” your opponent, you must use a “grab and wrap” tackle.
is a big difference. The ball is the same general shape as in football, but that is where the similarities end.
Most of the injuries in football result from techniques that are encouraged by the wearing of so-called
protective gear. Football players are taught to launch their bodies, and to use their helmets and shoulder
pads as weapons. In rugby, there is no blocking and the tackling is very different. Tackling in rugby is much
like a takedown in wrestling. You can not “spear” your opponent, you must use a “grab and wrap” tackle.
Are there a lot of injuries in rugby?
There are actually very few serious injuries in rugby. As with all contact sports, there are bumps and bruises,
and occasional sprains, concussions and fractures. While rugby is a contact sport, and a vigorous one, the
rate of serious injury is less than other contact sports, such as football, and ice hockey. The rate of serious
injuries in rugby is roughly comparable to that in soccer and lacrosse, and substantially less than in sports
like skiing, in-line skating and skateboarding.
and occasional sprains, concussions and fractures. While rugby is a contact sport, and a vigorous one, the
rate of serious injury is less than other contact sports, such as football, and ice hockey. The rate of serious
injuries in rugby is roughly comparable to that in soccer and lacrosse, and substantially less than in sports
like skiing, in-line skating and skateboarding.
What happens if my son is injured during a match or at practice?
Injuries do occur in rugby, just as they occur in any contact sport. A fully stocked first aid kit is always on
hand to treat minor injuries, (i.e. Bumps, bruises and minor cuts and scrapes). Athletes are responsible for
reporting minor injuries to their parents. However, injuries that are suspected to be more serious in nature
(i.e. Fractures, large cuts, concussions, and serious sprains) are reported immediately to the player's parent
or guardian by the coach.
hand to treat minor injuries, (i.e. Bumps, bruises and minor cuts and scrapes). Athletes are responsible for
reporting minor injuries to their parents. However, injuries that are suspected to be more serious in nature
(i.e. Fractures, large cuts, concussions, and serious sprains) are reported immediately to the player's parent
or guardian by the coach.
A cell phone is present at all practices and matches in the event of an emergency. Professional athletic
trainers are present at all matches.
trainers are present at all matches.
Does the club provide medical or disability insurance?
No. Each player has to have medical coverage before they can play.
How much travel is involved?
Most of our matches are within a 45 minute drive. Parents will be asked to drive to all away matches.
How much time is involved?
We will practice 4 times a week during the season. Each practice session lasts an hour and a half. We will
play most of our matches on Wednesdays or Sundays. Thus, the average time investment per week is about
seven hours on rugby, not including travel. In addition to the seven or so hours of “team time”, athletes are
strongly encouraged to engage in a personal fitness program on their own, outside of practice. Rugby is
much more fun when the participant is fit.
play most of our matches on Wednesdays or Sundays. Thus, the average time investment per week is about
seven hours on rugby, not including travel. In addition to the seven or so hours of “team time”, athletes are
strongly encouraged to engage in a personal fitness program on their own, outside of practice. Rugby is
much more fun when the participant is fit.
| A Letter to Parents |