St. Joseph's Prep
Rugby Football Club
sic itur ad astra
EPRU High School Champs 2008
St. Joseph's Prep Club of the Year 2009!
1733 W. Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
ph: 215-978-1950
fax: 215-765-1710
preprfc
FAQ @ Prep Rugby
Rugby is a new sport for most Americans and there are probably a lot of questions, both about the Prep Rugby Team and the sport in general. Below are some specific points about the team, and you can also learn some more about Rugby.
- Question: Does my son have to do fall/winter workouts to play rugby?
A: No. We encourage all students to participate in other sports. Different sports work different muscles and reflexes. At the same time, playing different sports helps the players develop different cognitive abilites. All of this can be transferred to rugby and will help players become better ruggers.
We offer Fall Workouts for those players who either choose not to participate in a Fall/Winter sport or who are cut, as well as for students who want to "test" rugby a little early.
- Question: Does rugby "cut" players?
A: No. While Prep Rugby recognizes that there is value for students to learn how to cope with cuts, Prep Rugby also realizes the value of teenage boys enjoying athletics and playing a sport. All players who attend practice consistently will see playing time in a game during the season.
NO PLAYER WHO ATTENDS PRACTICE WILL "RIDE THE BENCH" ALL SEASON.
- Question: When can students come out to rugby practice?
A: Players can come out to rugby when their schedule permits. Even if there are but a few weeks left in the season, new players are welcome to join.
- Question: How long is the season?
A: The game season starts in March and carries through to May. Practices start in February. Practices are 3 days a week (Tues/Wed/Fri) from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. and players are back at the Prep for the 5:20 p.m. bus transportation.
Fan Info
The first thing of note is how the fan can directly influence a game. Despite its rough nature and reputation, rugby is a very disciplined sport. Refs have little patience for players being abusive (verbally or physically), obnoxious or disrespectful in any way. We as coaches instill that in the players during practice.
Like any sport, the fans provide a boost to the team. However, in rugby, if fans get out of hand, the ref can actually penalize the team on the field until the fans are under control. They can directly affect the outcome of the match. For that reason, we request that our fans act as our players do:
a - all fans cheer positively at all times,
b - no fan shouts at the ref,
c - no fan taunts the other team or its players, either individually or through group chants,
d - any contact with the ref (should there be any) is conducted using either "sir" or "ma'am",
e - all grudges, hard feelings, and rough play is left on the field of play,
f - all players, fans, parents and supporters should remain behind the yellow rope at all times,
g - only players, coaches and the team trainer should enter the field of play during game time,
h - the post-game social is used to foster mutual respect for each team, the players and the families.
The second important point is how games will be set up. According to the EPRU, each team's home field must have a fan area. For us, with the league games beginning Sunday, April 3, our fans will be on the far side of the field by South Concourse Drive (not the North Concourse Drive side of the team). There will be a rope which fans must stay behind... the refs WILL check this and we could be penalized as a team (again, harking back to the discipline of both fans and players). When we are away, or if for some reason there is no rope, all players, parents and supporters are expected to remain 5 yards off the touch line (sideline).
1733 W. Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
ph: 215-978-1950
fax: 215-765-1710
preprfc
