VC Rugby Soon to Start Season
By Steven Giordano

Valley Christian’s Rugby team is about to enter into its official season in the Skyhawk Conference under 19’s league.
Beginning formal practices back on January 10, this team had been practicing for a while. Weight lifting, running, and learning the game with scrimmages filled the later part of 2005. These no-padded Warriors practice Tuesdays and Thursdays while they get bigger, faster, and stronger with Mondays and Wednesdays in the weight room.
Many do not even know the basics of rugby. Fifteen players per team, one ball, and immeasurable intensity fill the field of play in this believed predecessor of American football, not to be confused with fútbol or soccer. When closely observed, Rugby is as technical as any other ball-handling sport like baseball or basketball, yet as physically demanding as football. The goals are tries, which can be very deceiving because once the goal is scored, the team has finished trying and has succeeded, )but that makes no significance besides the possible misunderstanding).
While technically a club, the Warrior Rugby team looks to make their presence known in the coming season. Sophomore Byron Edrington is eager to intimidate by “getting to hit people being in the scrums.” A scrum is one of the most noticeable aspects of rugby. It is essentially as the face-off in hockey or the tip-off in basketball. Players fight with their feet to receive possession of the ball as they are all connected by the elbows.
This demanding game, however, is empowered by the club’s mission statement. “Our goal is for young men to challenge themselves to do more, work harder, and become something greater than they are today.” Come check out how these Warriors accomplish their goals on Saturday mornings throughout February and March .
Every regular season game for the Warriors will be at home on the Skyway campus. The first match is February 11 versus Peninsula Green.