Waukesha Youth Rugby Celebrates Another Year

Waukesha Youth rugby celebrated another successful summer program this past August. Run through the Waukesha Park and Rec Dept., this is the longest-running youth rugby summer program in the state. It would not have been possible without the help of many volunteers, including some current high school girls players who helped with the coaching.

We'll let the pictures speak for themselves .... it was a GREAT summer activity:

Midwest Youth Rugby Growth Trends

Rugby Magazine conducted a club census comparing growth from 2004 to 2010. A direct comparison of teams in the Midwest is revealing. The "union total" statistic is an indication of overall strength, totaling male and female clubs at all levels. A few observations:

--Look out for Chitown!
Chicago youth rugby is exploding. They added almost as many boys teams in this period as currently exist in Wisconsin in total. Perhaps some of their success comes from the Illinios Youth Rugby Assocation's implementation of three different divisions for their boys competition, plus an additional championship for b-sides AND their u-15 teams. We imagine this creates a place for new teams, small schools, and the established competitive programs to all find the right fit. This system is being coupled with a whole league's worth of u-15 teams. Sure, they conceivably have a larger pool of ruggers scattered around the big city to help coach and ref, but they've set up a model that is clearly helping these volunteers get connected to families new to rugby.

--The Indiana Anomaly
So, they lead the Midwest in youth teams, an impressive 13 clubs. Yet, they contracted the number of high school teams. Did they grow too quickly? Focus resources on introducing rugby to younger kids? Time will tell if their youth programs lead to greater growth down the road.

--Ohio, who knew?
A huge team total of 122. They have the most boys teams and second-most girls teams.

--WISCONSIN: FALLING BEHIND.
The four states ahead of Wisconsin at least DOUBLED Wisconsin's youth growth. Look at the number of youth teams added. This should be a wake up call to all those in Wisconsin. A chunk of Wisconsin's growth came from the increase in girls teams. The truth behind the numbers is more disconcerting. One of the 12 teams won't compete in 2011, and another, baring a dramatic change in recruiting efforts, will find itself unable to field a team next fall. That's 16% of the girls teams right there. If this is taken into account, Wisconsin finds itself last in total number of high school and youth teams.

What's one common denominator? Wisconsin is the only state on the list without a unified youth rugby organization. Certainly that's not everything. It's only paper. A core of dedicated volunteers has to run any organization. That's been the case with all of Wisconsin's youth efforts to date. The work of the boys leagues to build 27 programs was probably inconceivable 25 years ago. But, now we have to look at the present landscape. The question has to be, can we be doing even better? As they say, can't let what's 'good be the enemy of what's great.' Would Wisconsin be better served if there was a unified youth rugby organization that crosses all the lines: counties, genders, schools, clubs, and traditional rivalries?

Looking forward to hearing your comments ...

More Youth Tag Rugby

Here is the word about another Tag Youth Program, this one geared toward middle schoolers sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Schools Recreation Department.

Program Description:

Rugby, from which American football is derived, is the second largest participation sport in the world behind soccer. Youth rugby is growing rapidly making up over 25% of registered participation nationally with 525 teams (high school and junior rugby clubs). Join this camp to experience a non-contact version that can be played safely. This is a team invasion game, resembling an all inclusive and continuous team game of tag with a ball. All players get to run, catch, pass and score regardless of their position, size, gender, or ability level. Skills developed are balance, coordination, agility, visual awareness, decision making and core fitness.

Program Details:

Participants: Children Ages 11 -15
Dates: Mon - Fri., July 14 - 18
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 am
Cost: $22 Residents/ $44 Non-Residents
Location: Hamilton High School

To register online follow this link to the MPS Recreation Department registration form.

Thanks to Jr. for getting this program going!

Tag Rugby (youth grades 1-6)

The tag rugby program, sponsored by the City of Waukesha Park and Recreation Department, starts tonight. The program is offered for children in grades 1-6.

WHERE: Mindiola Park, City of Waukesha (off of Sunset Drive)
TIME: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
DATES: Fridays, June 13 to July 24 (no camp the week of July 4)

Volunteers and new players are welcome. New registrants can sing up directly through the City of Waukesh Park and Recreation Department Website.

More on the wee ones...

I just want to put out there that the Oconomowoc and Waukesha park and recreation programs are both off to good starts with youth (1st-4th grade) rugby. The Oconomowoc program is in its 3 week this Saturday and has 12 participants. The Waukesha program has 15 registered participants, but on the first day 22 kids showed up.

It has been great to see the rugby community pull together to offer this program to area youth. While some of the participants are children of rugby players, a majority of kids and their families are being exposed to rugby for the first time and having a very positive experience.

Youth Rugby Update

This is an update about Tag Rugby programs this summer for youth (1st to 8th Grade) Wisconsin:

In the City of Waukesha, the particulars are as follows:

DATES: Saturday Mornings, from June 9 through June 30;
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (the hour goes quickly)
LOCATION: Mindiola Park (off of Sunset Dr. in Waukesha)

The program has 12 participants registered, but we are hoping for a bump in the final week of a few more kids. Their website is www.ci.waukehsa.wi.us. and I believe they are still accepting registrations.

The City of Oconomowoc is also running a four week program, running saturday mornings, starting on June 2, 2009. Information is available on thier website, www.oconomowocusa.com.

The West Bend Boys and Girls Club will be running a tag rugby program for elementary school aged children. They will be holding a high interest day on June 23, 2007, starting at 2:00 p.m.

Fond du Lac Rugby Club, in conjunction with the Fond du Lac park and recreation department is holding tag rugby programs, starting July 30 for children in grades 4-8. More information is available at www.fdlrugby.com..

All of these programs are co-ed and are a great introduction to rugby for players (and parent) with no experience or knoweldge about rugby.

If anyone knows about other programs, plesae leave a comment and spread the word.

Youth (6-8 year old) Rugby begins...

On May 21, 2007, The Oconomowoc Park and Recreation Department held its first high interest day for 1st and 2nd grade students. Six little tykes showed up and learned about tag rugby from two Kettle Moraine Girls RFC players. By the end of the hour, these little kids became little ruggers, and played a 3 v. 3 game of tag rugby.

Oconomowoc and Waukesha Park and recreation departments are both sponsoring co-ed tag rugby programs this June. Hopefully these programs will grow and expand in the fall as well, depending upon support and interest.

Youth Rugby Opportunities

I just wanted to put out a quick post of upcoming and planned youth programs in Wisconsin (by which I mean non-contact programs for U6-U14 aged players):

• May 9, 2007: City of Waukesha, Rugby High Interest Day for grades 1-4. (more information forthcoming)
• June 5-21, 2007: Catholic Memorial High School, Rugby Camp for children entering grades 6-8. Information available at the Catholic Memorial Webiste (follow the link on side of this page and clik on summer camp information);
• Saturdays in June, 2007: City of Waukesha, Rugby Camp for children in grades 1-4. (More information forthcoming).
• Program details for the 2007-2008 tag rugby league for players grades 1-4 and a "Little Rugby Academy" for players in grades K4 and K5 can be found at wisconsinruggers.com. Registration Fall 2007 K-4 programs can be picked up at the Town of Brookfield (http://www.townofbrookfield.com/) and on line at Wisconsinruggers.com.

If you know anyone who might be interested in either participating or creating a youth rugby program in Wisconsin, please pass along this information.