The Pat on Sports: Rugby time

A couple of weeks ago I was sitting with a pair of my friends, Cody Kitts and Chris Demott, discussing our plans to start working out again. From there the discussion turned to the Norris lake Rugby Club.
Cody and Chris were part of the original Norris Lake Rugby Club. We decided to test the waters. I sent out some feelers on the internet and actually got a decent response. Chris and Cody also got a good response from the former players that they called. So it was decided that rugby was coming to Campbell County again.
After some discussion the decision was made that I would coach the team. I was sports editor at the Volunteer Times last time that rugby was played here. Chris and Cody did an admirable job in the role of player/coaches but if this concept is going to fly a full time coach is needed. Chris and Cody offer too much as players to coach. Though I have limited rugby experience I do have coaching experience. I feel this experience can be put to good use in bringing this exciting sport to the county.
Obviously we are looking to start small and grow into something big. If we can have a team to play some 7’s tournaments by May I will be thrilled. Our long-term goals are to be able to field men’s, women’s, and youth league teams. From the responses I have gotten so far none of those goals are out of reach. In fact a men’s team could end up being the last of the three we field.
I know there are a lot of good athletes in the area. I also know a lot of them will never go on to play sports past the high school level. It used to kill me that my only alternative was to play men’s league softball, which I am terrible at, or to go to Knoxville and attempt to play inline hockey, which I am not great at either. Now we will have an alternative, especially for people who crave a little contact in their lives.
Rugby offers many advantages. First off it is a tremendous way to stay in shape. Constant running will do that. It also gives players a sense of being on a team again; lots of players really miss that post high school. It is also a very social sport; the teams usually get together post game for a meal and a social gathering.
I really hope that we can find enough people to build the Norris Lake Rugby Club into something the community can be proud of. The teams would be playing competition throughout the southeast and if we are good enough the nation. We all know that Campbell County gets a lot of bad coverage from the media and admittedly we deserve a lot of it. But I think we can build something positive with this rugby club. Something everybody can be proud of.

Sign up to receive Email notification of updates to the page.

Sign Up here:

  Tell a Friend to Visit
Free Tell-a-Friend by Bravenet.com ;