Rookie Rugby Takes Colorado by Storm

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado cannot get enough of Rookie Rugby. The safe, non-contact version of the game that was recently introduced at a Physical Education (P.E.) teacher training in Denver, Colo., found its way into the annual Colorado chapter of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (COAHPERD) Conference in Colorado Springs over Halloween weekend.

COAHPERD held its annual conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Colorado Springs on October 30-31 and is comprised of 500-700 educators and college students majoring in the related fields throughout the entire state of Colorado.

For this year’s conference, Colorado Youth Rugby (CYR) had a presence in the conference’s exhibition area. Executive Director of CYR, J.R. Lapierre, spent his time at an exhibit table promoting both CYR and Rookie Rugby. P.E. Teachers were able to gather promotional materials and information on the game, as well as talk one on one with Lapierre regarding the addition of rugby into P.E. classes.

“Many of the participants had seen rugby or heard about it through their kids, who are eager to learn,” Lapierre said. “Some participants, who were former players of rugby, were currently implementing some form of rugby into their classes and were eager to receive formal instructions on Rookie Rugby.”

On Friday, October 30, Lapierre was joined by Youth Development Manager of USA Rugby, Erin Kennedy and Coach Development Manager of USA Rugby, Mollie McCarthy to provide a hands-on Rookie Rugby Teacher Training. Kennedy took 42 participants through drills, skills, and games that could be used in P.E. classes. The session concluded with tag and flag games. Participants laughed, interacted, and had an overall worthwhile experience participating in the session.

The session concluded with exploring the many opportunities that CYR and USA Rugby had to offer, including options for follow up sessions with CYR. Other resources include (but are not limited to) the Rookie Rugby Guidebook, Games and Skill Packs, P.E. Curriculum, Free Online Rookie Rugby Course, and the Rookie Rugby Club, which are all available on the USA Rugby’s website

“Attending the conference was a great way to not only connect up with the local educators in Colorado, but also to grow the game of rugby. Rookie Rugby is a great game for children of all ages. Some of the benefits include the introduction to a sport played in over 120 countries worldwide, inclusiveness (everyone can play no matter shape or size), great health benefits, fun and unique, and so much more! USA Rugby is thrilled that CYR is leading the front in growing the game in Colorado,” commented Kennedy.

To download the Rookie Rugby guidebook, take the on-line coaching course, or for more information on how to get started with Rookie Rugby today, visit www.usarugby.org/goto/rookie_rugby or contact USA Rugby Youth Development Manager, Erin Kennedy at ekennedy@usarugby.org. More information on COAHPERD can be found at www.coahperd.org.