Each year old players move on to college and we need players, lots of them. We do have a number of returning players, but we also need some fresh talent to replace our graduating seniors and to spice up our backline. Also, we are altruistic and would like as many new people to experience the game as possible. So come join us and be part of the best team sport in America. Give it a try.
Players must be at least 14 and under the age of 19 to be eligible. If you turn 14 or 19 during the season, you're fine. You must be in High School.
Not in most cases. Our main feeder schools who we draw players from are Fremont, St. Francis, Monta Vista, Mountain View and Homestead High Schools.
We are expanding our player base to: Santa Clara, Saratoga and many other high schools in the area. If you are in the area, you can play for us. Generally our team is restricted from : Los Altos High School, Palo Alto high school, Menlo Atherton, College Park, Aptos, and St. Lawrence Academy . These schools have other Rugby teams which they are afilliated with.
Rugby is a very diverse game. It involves running, passing, kicking, lifting, etc. Because Rugby involves so much action there are concepts from every sport that apply to Rugby. Its a real blend of athleticism.
Also Rugby is a sport where everyone can play. Rugby is for the most part based on natural movements. Its not like diving or gymnastics where you have to get all contorted. The basic rules are very simple to learn once practice starts and anybody who wants to can become a great Rugby player. No body type is favored over any other.
Rugby really is the ultimate team sport. You and 14 mates all work together for a common purpose. Every situation in the game requires the support of other players. When you have the ball, your mates are there to pass to, bind to, ruck for you. It's not you against the defense. One superstar does not carry the team and with kicking for points excluded, there is no situation where it is up to just one man to get the job done.
Rugby also allows for more future opportunities than any other. Since not a lot of young people play Rugby, joining our team gives you an edge over 90% of your age group. There is a better chance of playing in college and you are eligible to tryout for Regional and National U19 teams. Also, Rugby has extensive division I and II mens teams all over the country. When people get into Rugby, they find its one of the funnest sports they've played in a long time and stay with it for many years.
Yes we do. There are positions out there for literally everybody.
What if I'm over 225lbs? Then you belong in the tight 5.
What if I'm only 5'3"? Then a scrum-half is probably more up your alley.
What if I'm really bony? You can be a valuable back, especially out on the wings.
What if I'm big, fast, strong, and a good kicker?
Then why aren't you playing Rugby already? Get out here now!
No problem. We will teach you. SVRFC is eagerly recruiting first year players. Keep in mind , SV Rugby is fairly new; last year half of our starting team were rookies. If you make every practice, you will know how to play Rugby very well.
We understand that this fee is not the most popular thing in the world, and we were reluctant to require it. The problem is that money doesn't grow on trees, and we have to get it from somewhere. Our first year was a financial disaster, we were heavily dependent on a corporate donation, but the money never came. By having a fee, we are assured some money in the bank at the start. Your money is used for player registration and to buy all the balls, uniforms, and other necessary equipment we need to support a Rugby club. The curent fee is really quite a bargain when you think about it. Outfitting a player is about $80, a good Rugby ball can be about $70, and practice pads and field use can cost a lot more. SVRFC still accepts donations, if we get a large amount of money, future players fees may be waived.
We play every team in our Conference at least once, plus we play in tournaments, special matches, and post season.
Is there any preseason play/postseason opportunities?
We plan to have preseason scrimmage sometime in January and February.
SVRFC is a young mens club. So young women cannot play for us. The Skyhawk Conference usually fields a girls team , if you are interested we will hook you up.
No. A junior varsity team isn't really necessary. The experience level is basically the same among grades levels. Rugby isn't like football where the big men wreak havoc on the small guys. We have had freshmen and sophomores that held their own and some even played better than some of the seniors on our team.
Rugby is a sport that is very demanding physically. There is a lot of running and muscular effort needed. Rugby does not stop after every tackle like in football, the action keeps going. Players will be going hard for 70 minutes with few breaks in between. The ideal Rugby player runs for 3-5 miles three times a week to build an aerobic base. Lower-body lifting is also helpful. Forwards should spend time building there upper-body strength as well, and backs should do sprinting.
That's perfectly fine. Rugby is actually a spring sport, with our first game in February. We start early to get people in shape and to teach people the game. Your other sport will take care of the conditioning aspect. Try to make it to as many December/January practices as you can to learn how to play. Then give us your undivided sports time in the spring and you'll knock 'em down with the rest of us.
Rugby is a club sport, so nothing in CCS rules say that you can't. It is legal, but most people have a difficult time making time for Rugby practice and their own sport. Come try it out for us in the Winter. That being done, make a decision. If you can, however, find a way to come to our 2 weekly practices and still play your old sport, then we'd be happy to have you on our team. What we need is COMMITMENT!
Ryan's Sport Shop on Homestead Rd. in Santa Clara. Rugby shoes are available from special suppliers on the Internet. We recommend:
www.rugbystore.com
www.rugbyimports.com
www.ballsout.com
www.redrhinosports.com
These suppliers also send out a catalog. The only problem with buying off of these is that you cannot be sure if they fit right or not.
Do I really need to buy Rugby shoes?
No. You can get by with a pair of soccer cleats or football cleats provided you remove the front toe cleat.
Would you recommend I buy Rugby shoes?
I certainly would. Rugby shoes are of incredible quality, most are made of genuine leather and have 8 aluminum studs (studs, not spikes) which are perfectly safe and give the wearer better traction and stability. This is a great advantage while running and scrumming. If you get a pair that fits, they'll last you for several years. I would buy them if at all possible. Proper shoes also help reduce injury.
What brands do you recommend?
Most brands do fine. A popular boot in our club is the Mizuno Warrior.
Other teammates have expressed satisfaction with shoes in the Gilbert line of boots.
The Internet is a great place to learn all about Rugby. Check out the rest of this page and if you search you can find a lot of great websites. You most likely can find a book at your local library about Rugby. We recommend watching it on TV or video to increase familiarity.
Where can I see it on tv?
Rugby is on at 8pm Saturday nights on the digital cable channel Fox Sports World.
What if I don't have digital cable?
Rugby is shown periodically on basic cable networks. Fox Sports Net shows full Rugby games on Wednesdays at 1pm. International Channel airs a highlight show called World of Rugby on Sundays at 1pm. Check your local listings.
Rugby is also shown on the big screen at Duke of Edinburgh pub&dining in Cupertino, CA.