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CHAMPIONING RUGBY
An innovative New York City Education Department Sports Program is incorporating Flag Rugby to teach learning - and physically-disabled middle school students important life lessons and social skills.
By Jackie Finlan
** DOWNLOAD ARTICLE HERE **
AMERICAN RUGBY NEWS ARTICLE
Play Rugby USA update
Posted in: Coaching column
By Bruce McLane
Sep 3, 2008
Bruce McLane
Many people say that the key to successful growth in the USA is to get children playing the game at an early age, what steps is Play Rugby USA taking to make that happen?
I agree, arguably in the long term developing the grassroots of the game is the only sustainable way of ensuring successful growth of rugby in the USA. Play Rugby USA is primarily an educational-focused youth development program, so we're dedicated to getting rugby into after school programs and PE curriculums of schools and youth organizations. Rather than building a community-based or club program which can be challenging in urban areas, we're taking the game to the students as a tool for them to develop character, fitness and academic improvement. Therefore, we have developed various curriculums, training programs and coaching structures to support the incorporation of the game into America's educational infrastructure.
So what's new with the program?
Hah, tough one - well the program evolves day to day given we have five people currently in the office pushing things forward. However, perhaps the exciting 'hot off the press' development is the "Play Rugby Club - Online" www.playrugbyclub.com This is a free online educational tool for youth, parents and teachers to learn about rugby, share their knowledge and experiences and connect with peers online. Anyone interested in rugby or with information to share should check this out and become part of a growing community working together to promote the game to youth throughout the country and even internationally. Promoting the educational and developmental benefits of the game is huge to ensuring the game becomes a systemic part of the educational infrastructure in America in the future. We welcome everyone to join us in developing appropriate content, curriculum materials, discussions and multi-media and connect with other like-minded people to promote this great game!
How do you plan on taking this model to a national or regional level?
Other than the online initiatives, there are two main ways we plan to scale up the program 'on the ground' starting in September this year. The first is through us setting up and replicating Rugby Leadership Academies under our Non Profit organization; Play Rugby, Inc. These are urban after school sports education programs co-located through a partnership with a school or youth organization. We deliver our various curriculum to their students including character development, fitness and nutrition, online learning and homework help. The Academies also act as the hub for the local PRUSA program outreach, delivering services to other local schools and youth organizations in their area.
The second way is through a licensed affiliate program we have developed and are currently piloting in San Francisco and Portland Oregon with SFGG Rugby Club and Rugby Oregon, respectively. This licensing program is intended to enable other clubs and rugby organizations to replicate our program in a defined territory, giving them the opportunity to generate hundreds of grassroots players in their area in addition to revenue to support their organization's development efforts.
What clubs are you currently working with and how are you working with them to make this happen?
Locally, we have established strong relationships with Old Blue, NYAC and New York Manhattan in regards to sourcing coaches and volunteers. This spring, Christian started a program in Westchester for a number of NYAC parent¹s and the junior team won the Mayor¹s Cup tournament on May 31st. We also helped Ridgewood and Hudson Valley establish their youth programs and provide various clinics and camps around the area to support such programs. Finally, San Fran Golden Gate Rugby Club and Rugby Oregon have recently started an affiliate programs with us. Clearly, there are many more to work with!
You have done remarkably well getting full recognition by NYC Public schools, how important is it to have the school administration on board with what you are trying to achieve?
Extremely important, in fact it's really the most important thing we can do other than running a great program. Schools have to believe in the difference rugby can make and in many instances justify supporting it over something else. After some time advocating our program to various groups, this winter we had a very successful partnership with the NYC Dept of Education ŒCHAMPS¹ after school program a middle school initiative aimed at keeping students engaged with physical education after school when it¹s a high risk time for them. The PE teachers elected to coach rugby from numerous other options and fortunately 17 teachers signed up. Play Rugby provided a training course, the curriculum, equipment, 10 hours of mentoring (co-coaching) to help them along the way and the 10 week season culminated with 2 tournaments in the Bronx and Brooklyn, with the teams coached by the teachers. It was a terrific effort from all involved and the teachers did a tremendous job embracing a sport they had never coached before.
You have also gotten a foothold into the private and Catholic schools, how do the administrations in these institutions take to the program?
The private schools have been very open to our program. Our major triumphs have been through running PE classes which have then lead to after school programs. We have 6 sites currently working with us, including Lycee Francais, United Nations School, Trinity and Epiphany. The parent¹s have also been very supportive, especially at Epiphany.
How can someone or a club who is interested in using the Play Rugby USA curriculum or coaching the program get started in their area of the country?
In terms of setting up an actual PRUSA program for schools and youth organizations in their area the person or organization should review our affiliate / rep program online at www.playrugbyusa.com or contact us to discuss what is required to establish a Rugby Leadership Academy with Play Rugby, Inc.
With regard to using the curriculum there are various tools available to clubs that we have developed. The first is the PE Curriculum which was developed in partnership with USA Rugby with the support of a group of Physical Education professors. This is available directly on the USA Rugby website: http://www.usarugby.org/goto/Physical_Education. Our fun, introductory and character development curriculum "Give Rugby a Try" is available on DVD through the World Rugby Shop site: http://www.worldrugbyshop.com/departments-dvds-and-books-rugby-dvds-give-rugby-a-try-developing-youth-through-rugby-dvd.html Unlike a regular DVD it contains the entire curriculum in printable form in addition to digitized animation and video designed to help coaches (including first time coaches) understand the types of games at their disposal and how to deliver them.
What type of relationship do you have with established youth programs such as the Morris RFC and Union RFC out of NJ, and if none are you trying to build relationships with other clubs trying to build youth rugby programs?
We worked with Morris RFC in the production of our DVD and have run various clinics with Ridgewood & Connecticut Yankees youth teams. We believe there is a great opportunity to work more closely with such clubs, especially those such as Morris that have done an amazing job developing the game in New Jersey. Given the school-focused approach of our program, it is pretty complimentary to youth rugby clubs and therefore we intend to build our relationship with more clubs in the future.
If you could look ahead three years from now, what would be the ideal projection of what Play Rugby USA will be accomplishing throughout the country at that time?
Great question. Of course it would be largely dependent on funding. However, my three year goals would include having 10 Rugby Leadership Academies up and running in urban areas throughout the country, 20 affiliate locations, 7.500+ students engaged weekly in PRUSA programs and at least another 50,000+ introduced to the game through PRUSA clinics, camps, and PE programs. We would want an engaged online community with 100+ schools participating in our online 'PenPal' program and even a couple of program 'graduates' on the age-grade national teams. There are of course many more important youth development goals in relation to student behavior, ability, awareness, knowledge & attitude for instance. Lastly, behind the scenes we would have secured appropriate funding from foundations, individuals, corporations and public sources to support and further enrich the programs and their future growth.
27 EAST
PLAY RUGBY INTRODUCES LOCAL SPORT TO YOUTH
Cailin Bradly
July 15, 2008
If the scene at the Stephen Hands Path Field in East Hampton on Sunday afternoon was any indication, rugby is gaining in popularity among young athletes on the East End.
More than 20 children ranging from elementary school to middle school age took part in a three-day rugby clinic sponsored by Play Rugby USA, a national program that aims to develop youth through the sport. Play Rugby was founded in 2003 by Mark Griffin, a former professional rugby player who helped create a national physical education program for non-contact rugby, which introduces children to the sport at a young age and, most importantly, in a safe way.
On Sunday, the large group of local kids showed off the skills that they had learned during the first two days of the clinic, adeptly passing the ball to their teammates in a flag rugby game that was coached and officiated by Christian Mayo, a Play Rugby counselor who made the trip to the East End for what was the organization’s first clinic on Long Island.
Montauk Rugby player Gordon Trotter helped bring the youth program to the East End, setting up the clinic after meeting Griffin at a tournament in San Diego in March.
“We got to chatting about the game’s development and what he was doing, and I thought it would be a great idea to run a camp out here,” Trotter said. “About two months ago, I contacted him about doing it and in a very short time, with a lot of help from Montauk Rugby, we got it off the ground.”
The Montauk Rugby organization picked up the tab for each player to compete in the clinic as well, and Trotter said he was happy to see the Play Rugby program have success in its first trip out to the East End.
“It was fantastic to see the youth out there playing,” he said. “The young guys and girls really pick up the sport quickly and they all get to participate all the time, which is the best thing.”
Play Rugby does most of its work in New York City and has hosted clinics and after-school programs at more than 50 schools while teaching the sport to more than 5,000 children. Although the clinics focus on teaching the sport to young athletes, developing other off-the-field qualities and life skills is just as big a part of the program.
“The game has a lot of tradition and history and there are a lot of benefits, such as learning leadership, camaraderie and teamwork,” Mayo said. “We like to stress the fitness aspect of it as well.”
Like soccer, rugby has traditionally played second fiddle to sports such as football, basketball and baseball in the United States, while it thrives in other countries such as England and Australia, but the founders and coaches from Play Rugby would like to make the sport more popular in the states and they believe that it can find a niche here as well.
“We’re not trying to make it take the place of other sports, but we want to try to offer it as a complementary sport,” Mayo said. “There is an entirely different style of teamwork and the way the game is played.”
Unlike other popular team sports in the U.S., rugby is restricted to either lateral or backward passing, while sports such as football and lacrosse include forward passing. The unorthodox style of play can make the game difficult to learn, Mayo admits, but he says that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
“It’s a hard game to learn because it goes against what kids have learned,” he said. “But it’s challenging and that’s where it really complements other sports. It’s more challenging to learn to work together.”
Because of the physical nature of the sport, Play Rugby clinics and games are played with flags until players reach the high school level. It enables children to learn the fundamentals of the game while their bodies are still developing. It’s also part of another mission of Play Rugby—dispelling the notion that the sport is violent and dangerous.
“We want to change that negative connotation,” Mayo said. “We want to let people know that it can be coached in a fun and safe way and it really keeps the kids engaged.”
Trotter said he and other members of the Montauk Sharks are in talks with Play Rugby to provide more opportunities for young players on the East End. They are trying to set up another clinic before the summer is over and are hoping to draw even more new players.
Anyone seeking more information about youth rugby on the East End can contact Gordon Trotter at (631) 537-6966.
RIVERDALE PRESS, Bronx, NY
Local ruggers fall hard, but learn a lot in city tourney
By Will Dubbs
June 11, 2008
Several kids from the Riverdale Community Center — an after-school program housed at MS/HS 141 — laced up their sneakers at Columbia University’s Baker Field on Saturday to take part in the city’s first-ever Mayor’s Cup flag rugby tournament.
The RCC competed in the 16-team middle school division of the tournament, sponsored by Play Rugby USA in conjunction with the New York City Sports Commission. Seven Riverdalians tested their rugby skills in sevenon- seven match-ups against PS 279 from the Bronx, PS 195 from Harlem and the Henry Street Settlement from Manhattan.
Despite finishing with a 1-2 record in group play, and being ultimately eliminated by semifinalist PS 279, it was clear the RCC students had their share of fun.
“They might not have been as successful on the pitch as they would’ve liked,” admitted RCC’s coach Dominic Wareing, “But it was a great day and they really enjoyed themselves.”
Participants also received medals, rugby T-shirts and athletic bags as souvenirs for competing in both the tournament and a separate passing, kicking and running challenge during the event.
Ross McClelland, another coach from the Play Rugby USA organization, believes that the main goal of the tournament and the first annual National Rugby Week is to bring together kids of different backgrounds “to play together,” something he believes the Mayor’s Cup successfully achieved.
At the tournament, 23 schools from around the city came together to play flag rugby, a non-contact version of the sport born overseas, which eliminates tackles and dogpile-like scrums, but keeps the basic concepts of rugby intact.
Kathy Gilson, executive director of the community center, and Mark Grif- fin, founder and president of Play Rugby USA, believe that the reason rugby is a hit with kids is that it gives players equal responsibility on teams.
The fact that flag rugby makes it easier and safer to “tackle” opponents, and places an emphasis on the passing aspect of the sport, allows more kids to get involved.
Also emphasized is the simplicity of the sport. To play rugby, one only needs a ball and fellow kids who want to play, affording more kids from all social and economic backgrounds the ability to play rugby.
The kids at the Riverdale Community Center began playing the new after-school activity at the start of the 2006-2007 school year.
Nearly two years later, more than 150 Riverdalians are playing flag rugby twice a week at the center.
“I think that this tournament showcased why rugby is a good tool for kids,” said Griffin.
The lasting image of the event for Wareing, however, is the response he received from his Riverdale pupils.
“Smiles on faces, and the teamwork and discipline they showed was fantastic,” the coach said. “They persevered, they never gave up and that was great to see.”
E Rugby News
Play Rugby’s Mayor’s Cup Attracts 23 Teams
New York, NY
June 7, 2008
A total of 23 teams (17 middle-school and 6 elementary), most traveling by public transportation from all corners of New York City, gathered at Columbia University’s Baker Field at the north end of Manhattan Island to compete in Play Rugby USA’s Mayor’s Cup Flag Rugby Festival.
At the end of the day the A-side from IS 392 (the Waverly School of Arts - Brownsville, Brooklyn) defeated IS 392 ’s B-side 25-20 to take the Middle School Championship. To reach the final the Waverly School teams defeated PS 218 (the Rafael Hernandez Dual Language Magnet School) and PS 279 (Captain Manuel Rivera Jr. School), both in the Bronx.
IS 392 ’s win was the first ever team competition for the school and the principal presented the Mayor's Cup to all A & B team participants at a school assembly on Monday June 9th. It was reported that the students wore their medals all day - even on the subway.
In the Elementary School Division, Pelham Youth Rugby defeated the Epiphany School 35-30 in the final.
Diversity
The diversity of the teams at Baker Field on that sweltering “summer in the city” day was fascinating. In contrast to the current player population of US rugby, the majority of Mayor’s Cup participants were African American or Hispanic, hailing from public schools in Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens neighborhoods. But there was also a Chinese-American middle school team from Manhattan’s Chinatown YMCA, teams from the affluent NYC suburb of Pelham, and teams from Manhattan’s exclusive Lycee Francis and Queen’s United Nations’ School, attended by the children of many diplomats.
Play Rugby USA
Play Rugby USA, a non-profit organization, was started four years ago by Mark Griffin, an Old Blue (NY) player and Eagle trialist. Griffin gave up a career in banking to organize a movement to bring the benefits of rugby to boys and girls of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
Utilizing professionally trained coaches, Play Rugby USA improves physical fitness and delivers curriculum-based activities themed around non-contact flag rugby. Character development is achieved through a focus on 10 core values designed to improve self-esteem, develop community and resolve conflict.
Approximately 85% of program participants come from underserved backgrounds, with about 70% being either African American or Hispanic.
The first Play Rugby participants were 75 children from a homeless shelter in Brooklyn. It was, however, hard to maintain this program as the children were not always able to make it to the field each week.
So Play Rugby decided to take rugby to the students. Coaching services are now delivered on-site directly to the students both during and after school. Play Rugby’s four full-time employees and 10 volunteers coached 30 programs this year. During the school year an average of 600 students participated in program activities each week.
Play Rugby USA Teaching Youth Through Rugby
October 2, 2007
Play Rugby USA is a recently established youth development program that is trying to help develop a young players character, athletic ability and academic commitment through the game of rugby and Play Rugby USA’s Mark Griffin took a moment to speak to RugbyRugby’s Brad Kilpatrick about the program. Read more...
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