Bernard Mc Gearr
It was 1823 when William Ellis was student in Rugby, a market town in Warwickshire, near the River Avon. near to the borders with Leicestershire and Northamptonshire picked up a ball and ran with it creating a sport with approx. 10 Million registered players world wide. For anyone that is new to this Beautiful game of ours, Please do not Panic the game Mr. Ellis created is simple.
It consists of 15 verses 15 split into Backs and Forwards. The Basics/Fundamentals are easy to pick up like other sports, once you can Catch, Pass, Kick, Tackle and Run, That’s It. 8 Forwards and 7 Backs. The Forwards (Who do all the hard work to create the Tries) and The Backs (Who usually score the tries and get all the credit), Personally, I think Mr. Ellis and his ancestors would be proud of our simple game. Rugby is the most Inclusive game a child, Man or Woman will ever play.
There is a position for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you are tall, small, little, large, race, ability. disability, Culture, Sexuality or background. Oscar Wilde said it best when he said “Rugby is a game for barbarians played by gentlemen, Football (Soccer) is a game for gentlemen played by barbarians” Buts also about Tradition, Brotherhood and Banter. For Example, Ex. Wallaby Captain Nick Farr Jones said that teammate and Aussie Legend David Campese “He’s the sort of player whose brain doesn’t always know where his legs are carrying him” which perfectly describes either a Back or a Forward in every Rugby Club in around the world.
Every nation that players Rugby has a Union. Ours The Irish Rugby Football Unions under the WRU (World Rugby Union) have core values also known as The Spirit Of Rugby Charter are Respect, Inclusivity, Integrity, Fun and Excellence are taught to both players and coaches when they join any rugby club. Rugby at its core is a Family. A place that allows some amazing family times. In my own club at Guinness, The Iveagh Grounds, Crumlin we have summer games of tag every Thursday Night from 7, no experience necessary, bring the family and it’s free to play, come along and join your fellow brother and sisters. And maybe in a few years. Just maybe……….. Till Next Time my Friends. Say Hi, grab a coffee. Thank You,