Rugby is for Everybody!
In rugby, there is a saying “Rugby is for everybody”. No matter your background, your body type, or your skill set there is a place for you on the pitch. While Plano Rugby strives for athletic excellence and to compete at the highest level, we also know that we must stay true to our roots and exemplify the values of rugby. Our goal is to build a safe and strong community in which all kids from all backgrounds can flourish.
At Plano Rugby Football Club, we are committed to making rugby a memorable experience for everyone. Each year we have new players with little prior knowledge of the game join our club. Our goal is to help them develop into skilled and competitive athletes. Our greatest reward is witnessing players discover and cultivate a passion for rugby. Seeing them continue to play in college and beyond. Often, kids who may have been marginalized in other sports or spent much of their time on the bench find their talents and truly shine in rugby. We are proud of our history, including several players who have been selected for representative teams, such as the USA National Under-19 Rugby Team, the USA Senior International Team, and others who have gone on to compete at collegiate and international levels. Since our founding in 2000, our club has proudly participated in every Texas High School State Championship.
A major objective of our program is ensuring player safety. In a running contact sport like rugby, the risk of injury cannot be overlooked. We focus on teaching proper techniques, such as tackling and positioning, to minimize risks.
Unlike football, rugby's continuous play—where the game proceeds even after a player is tackled—and the absence of blocking, generally result in lower collision impacts. Despite the lack of padding, rugby injuries are not more common than in soccer. All our coaches are USA Rugby certified and prioritize safety in every aspect of the game.
As a Club it is important for us to encourage parents to engage with the program as supporters and spectators. Many parents find the game mysterious, which can deter their involvement. We strongly encourage parents to attend games and gain a better understanding of the sport.
To help with this, we offer a beginner’s primer and would encourage new parents to ask seasoned coaches and parents to help them understand the game. Rugby is a contact sport played with limited protection, but it is deeply rooted in sportsmanship. At PRFC, we emphasize respect and fair play, avoiding modern sports behaviors such as trash talking, taunting, and arguing with referees. These behaviors are strictly prohibited in the game of rugby and will not be tolerated.
The coaches and administrators at PRFC are unpaid volunteers who manage a comprehensive program that includes recruiting, registration, match scheduling, and coaching. However, there are many ways parents can support the program that don't require specific knowledge of the game. We encourage parents to get involved and contribute in any way they can.
These are:
Sponsorship Donations and Fundraising
Recruiting and Promotion by spreading the word about rugby
Publicity/ Social Media
Assisting coaches and team managers
Forming a parent’s booster club
Taking action pictures of games to put on the website
Taping matches for a post-match review and youtube.
Arranging for post-match pizzas/hot dogs/refreshments with the opposition
Providing medical assistance for minor injuries at games
Providing publicity for the Rugby club through schools and other institutions
Washing team shirts after matches
We use this Band for communications and announcements throughout the season. Parents whose teenagers are tight lipped about what is going on can get information about match times, locations, directions, etc.
Please feel free to contact us for more information.
Is rugby safe for youth?
Because rugby is played without padding, many parents and the public in the USA compare this to ice hockey, lacrosse and football and immediately come to the conclusion that rugby is a dangerous or at a minimum a very rough sport. Rugby is rough; bumps and bruises are not uncommon but it is not a dangerous sport and it is rare to get season ending injuries as you may find in football or other full contact sports.