If you can, please have the waiver signed before practice. You can email it to [email protected], or print it and give it to a coach in person. There will be waivers available at practice that you may sign as well, please come early to make sure all paperwork is out of the way before the start.

The pitch (field) currently costs $22 per session (practice) which is paid to the EMCS society prior to every practice. To help cover this cost we are asking all players who practice for a $20 per month fee prior to practicing.

Over the next few months I will be putting up articles going into more detail about specific rugby gear such as cleats, shorts, mouthguards, and additional gear that you may want to consider.

When dressing for your first rugby practice there are a few things you will need and to keep in mind.

Any type of gym shorts will do as long as they don’t not contain any metal or pokey bits (studs, zippers, belts, etc.). It is also recommended your shorts have a draw string to avoid any embarrassing scenarios that bring back memories of the grade 6 playground.

Running shoes will work fine. If you have soccer cleats (or even Rugby cleats) those are great. No open-toes, sandals, flip-flops, or bare feet. Keep in mind that some running shoes can be slippery on wet grass.

Any shirt will do as long as it doesn’t have any metal. So, no Michael Jackson Thriller jackets. As we progress, we will introduce skills that may stretch thin cotton shirts, so eventually you may want to consider something more robust.

The following are items you may also want to consider:

We want everyone to be safe and comfortable. Please keep the following in mind before getting to practice:

No jewelry, necklaces, rings, bracelets, hair ties around wrists, or watches should be worn. These create a danger to you and others. Please remove them prior to practice. Long fingernails can be easily damaged while handling the ball, grabbing clothing, or getting up and down off the ground. It is recommended you consider a shorter style.

Everyone is encouraged to only push as hard as they are comfortable. If you have prior injuries please let the coach know prior to practice so you aren’t asked to do anything that might cause you to injure it.

To avoid things getting wrecked or missing it is recommended you keep valuables locked in your vehicle and only bring your gym stuff (and car keys!) on the field.

If you require extra time to tape up body parts, put on gear, stretch additional problem areas, discuss issues, and the like, please show up early. Coach(es) will be at the field 15 minutes before the official practice start for any concerns.

Typically when you join a rugby club the coaches will assign you to a position they think you should try out. Our goal is to give everyone an opportunity to learn all aspects of the sport and work with the coaches to find a position they enjoy.

That said, it is important to remember these are not tryouts. You are not competing with others for a spot on the team. We are all here to learn and have fun.

To assure everyone gets an equal opportunity to try every skill (and to get in shape), practices will consist of various drills, fitness, instructions, and scenarios to introduce you to the game and help you improve.

While you may find yourself a tad confused at first, as you progress you will find that it all starts to make sense.

All players that pay their fees may practice whenever they are able, however because we are starting with the basics and working our way up, it is preferable that players start early and be consistent in their attendance.

It is of course understandable that life outside of rugby may sometimes need to take priority, we ask that players try to commit to as many practices as they can. This will assure that the team is progressing at the same rate with minimal backtracking. It also helps to make sure practices run smoothly and efficiently without having to provide individual instruction.

This isn’t meant to discourage you by any means. We always want players to come out and join. It just needs to be understood that it may be an additional challenge and you may require additional instruction outside of regular practice hours to get into the swing of things.

One thing we do highly encourage is letting your coaches know if you will not be at practice. We don’t need to know the reason, and you won’t need a note from your parent/doctor 😉 , but it does help us better plan practices when we know how many will be there.

Don’t be intimidated or nervous. We are going to start nice and simple to allow everyone a chance to learn and participate.

If you have any concerns, please let Jeff know through messenger or email [email protected]!