Press Release

UNION COUNTY RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB RECRUITING PLAYERS

FOR YOUTH AND HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS

 UNION COUNTY, NJ (1/22/04)--The Union County Rugby Football Club is currently recruiting players for both a spring high school team and their summer youth flag
rugby.  The Union County Rugby Football Club is immediately launching a high school rugby program.  Starting at the age of 13, rugby is played as an impact sport. The contact, while vigorous, is much less dangerous than in American football. Dirty or dangerous play is not allowed by the laws, nor is it tolerated by coaches and referees.  The sport is commonly referred to as,” a ruffian’s sport played by gentlemen”.  The Union County Rugby Football Club’s high school program kicked off with a successful informational meeting on Oct. 27th with over 20 players in attendance. The high school season will begin in February with the first game in the middle of March and will continue into June. The team will be bringing in Richard Dyer from Australia to coach the high school team. The registration fee is $50 per player.  All high school practices and home games will take place at Unami field in Cranford.

The director of the youth programs for the Union County Rugby Football Club, Chris Clark said, "Rugby is the purest team sport, and is not body specific like basketball and football.  The sport requires an all around athlete who knows the sense of teamwork. 

 Combining tremendous fitness and physical toughness with dynamic decision making, high school players are finding the completeness of the rugby experience is their athletic solution."

This summer will be the second year of the Union County Summer Youth Rugby program.  Boys and girls from any town in grades kindergarten to eighth grade are eligible to participate in the Summer Youth Program. Unlike the traditional game of rugby, flag rugby is a non-contact alternative that is designed as a safe and enjoyable way of introducing rugby to young people. Flag rugby emphasizes athletic skills such as; running, kicking, passing, teamwork, self-confidence and good sportsmanship.  In their first season, last year, the youth rugby team attracted 30 players aged six to thirteen. This year they are expecting over 60 kids to participate. The season will begin on or about June 21st, so that it will not interfere with any other spring sports or school activities. The cost for the youth rugby is $45 per player and $35 for each additional sibling.

Chris Clark continued, “Our youth non-contact rugby program is infectious, we anticipate 60- 80 participants this summer in Cranford and Berkeley Heights. Rugby proves to be the ultimate sport where boys and girls work together and redefine teamwork, communication and camaraderie.”
            For more information regarding the Union County Rugby Football Club’s high school rugby program and the upcoming summer youth league or their men’s team please contact Chris Clark at 201-213-1952, email him at rugby0366@yahoo.com or look at their website www.mudturtlerugby.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Derron Palmer 201-271-4310 (w)  732-381-3776 (h) 201-271-4357(fax)

email- Derron2000@aol.com