Does Anyone Play Rugby?

[CAM]

I've been thinking of taking it up as a bit of fun, looks enjoyable if a more then a bit rough! Plus I need to do some sport because sitting in an office all day doesn't do a lot for my health. I understand they look for people any age and ability.

 

Anyone here play it?

[witch]

Used to play 7s - I think I would start with that if I were you. Rugby is a tough game to just dive into (see what I did there?)

 

I wasn't a hooker BTW - but a fly half - in an otherwise all men's team

[hardtailstar]

Find your local club and ask to train with them and you may get selected for the team if good enough.

 

My friend did this for a local football club just to keep fit and went on to play last season for them.

[EvLPhenom]

Hi, i play rugby, I joined my club having never played before. It's a great sport and the social side of things are great aswell, i truly believe i have made some friends for life. Dependent on club they may have a lower team for newcomers that would help develop your skills and help you learn the game. The only thing i can suggest is get yourself to your local club and watch some training and games and ask about getting involved.

[pooley]

I'm 40 and only just stopped playing 2nd team rugby, still have a run out for any "VETS" team who needs an old prop, also just qualified as a rugby ref. Pop to your local club for a few training sessions and see how you enjoy it. Bit late for this season tbh as there probably only about 8 weeks left but training session and the odd game of touch rugby will let you get a glimpse of what you've been missing

[Oaktech]

I don't anymore - eyesite issues, however, I'm about to start again, but playing touch rather than full contact.

 

I would suggest exploring touch as a starter, building up your fitness like that and then going in for full contact if you feel that's your calling.

 

O2 Touch are England's leading provider of Touch, O2 TouchLeagues and tournaments.

[Domino]

For (slightly NSFW) reference:

 

[CAM]

Will definitely need training first, I've never played it before and my fitness is what I need to work on! Add in hitting 30 and it sounds like a brilliant combination...

[witch]

@Domino

That was absolutely hilarious - I am still laughing

[featured_spectre]

Used to play many years ago. I am in the process of becoming a ref for the game.

[muppet]

I still play (Vets now unfortunately)...and coach (juniors, seniors and Tag).

As Oaktech says, try and find somewhere that does Tag Rugby as a start and move onto contact when your fitness levels have improved and/or you're happy that you know the basics. You still get the exercise but without the contact hits.....plus lots of clubs like mine run Tag training sessions and games throughout the off season (over the summer months).

[mdench]

Used to play and thoroughly enjoyed it! Would love to go back but I don't think my knees, back and neck will take much more of a pounding! Which is depressing to say as I'm only 21! haha

[rich_tech]

Nice to see someone giving it a go, I gave up when I was 25, played front row for Majority of my time over the years, with spells playing everywhere else, including two seasons in the backs, when I was exceptionally fit and fast in my younger days. (Started at under 8s and am 35 this year), friends used to laugh regularly at the state of my neck/face when I would go out on a saturday night (usually full of compression marks), I still love the game, but I think its gone too much of a muscle based game now with the way its developed and that's to the detriment of the grassroots I think.

 

I would say avoid front row completely if you haven't played before, its highly specialised, you need to learn technique for there and it is easy to get hurt, you need a good set of back, shoulders and neck muscles to consider playing there.

Edited March 2, 2015 by rich_tech

[AdamzB]

Used to play many years ago. I am in the process of becoming a ref for the game.

 

Well done for getting back in to it. Must have been hard having to retire from being a "semi-pro player" after such a bad injury. Which "SSE National League Division Two South Team in England" did you play for?

[NotSoFast]

I played for years, then after a break got into touch rugby. It's fantastic for fitness.

[plexer]

I think it's good to be involved in some form of competitive activity for me it's flyball with my whippet.

 

B

[HTCPCP]

Used to play when I was still at school, but had to stop under the advice of a knee specialist. Really enjoyed my time playing as a forward. Did make the move away from the front row as soon as possible though!