Since the age of eight, I have been involved in rugby as either a player, or coach. I’ve played all around the world, from Bognor to Bangkok and these are the reasons why I believe you should play rugby!
Here are the results of a little survey I ran showing the reasons why rugby players play:
And here are my reasons as to why you should play rugby:
1. Real friends
Nothing builds bonds quite like having shared experiences with others especially fi you go through hard times together with them. When you commit to even a low level rugby team you will experience the natural highs and lows of sport, but, you will also be physically outting your bodies on the lin for each other.
When you see other guys putting in big hits, scrummaging hard or taking big hits themselves and you in turn get ‘stuck in’ to help them out then it builds a silent bond.
Multiply that out over a season or two, and throw in the shared experiences of tough training sessions in cold weather and the pain of heavy defeats, and injuries and then you can see how it is that rugby does give you friends.
Rugby friends are not just any old friends, they are friends that will look out for you, that will genuinely ‘care’ about you and what you are up to. I’m not so sure that other sports can say the same.
“84% of players said that enjoyment was the main reason
they chose to play professional rugby, followed by mateship,
lifestyle and financial.”
– New Zealand Rugby Players Association (Survey results)
2. Community
The rugby community at any club is generally very friendly, open to new people and at the same time quite close. When you ‘get into’ rugby you will likely gradually get drawn into that community too.
There is always some event going on or upcoming for you to join in with or volunteer to help with. You will never be short of things to do at the weekend that’s for sure.
Another remarkable aspect of the rugby community is how well it travels. Wherever you go around the world you can turn up at the local rugby club nd plug straight into a network of rugby people that will have your back from day one.
Recommended for you: Why Rugby Is Unique
3. Physical contact
Is there anything more satisfying than putting in a crunching tackle on an opponent, feeling your shoulder drive into their ribs, or your arms wrap tightly around the legs and knock your opponent to the ground.
I remember as an under 8 this was my favourite part of the game. I was like ‘What? You are allowed to hit people? This is awesome’.
Of course, this enthusiasm has to be channeled into correct tackle technique to prevent injury on both sides but this only enhances the joy when you realise you can tackle people even harder, and of course there is some Thrill’ about evading other people who want to knock you over too!
Nowadays, lots of parents worry about this aspect of the game but please remember the forces involved in mini rugby are massively less than what you see on the television and coaches have never been better at teaching correct tackle technique and keeping young people safe.
4. A reason to exercise
At any age it can be difficult to seom the enthusiasm to get out and do some exercise. However, if you are a member of a rugby team you will most likely not want to let your teammates down and so you feel obliged to get yourself down to training and do some serious exercise more often than if you didn’t play.
Furthermore, if you don’t turn up to a training session or two then it is likely the team coach, or captain is going to be calling you letting you know what they think. People pay personal trainers to do this for them, to hold them accountable, you can get this for free just by joining a rugby team.
You might like to read: Where Is Rugby Most Popular?
5. Rugby makes you sexier
Playing rugby generally leads to improved fitness levels, a better physique which in turn feeds self-confidence, and guess what members of the opposite sex like? A good physique and self-confidence. BOOM!
You get all that plus the kudos of having a bunch of mates to hang around town with which again leads to increased social credibility and, well, basically, pulling power!
OK, so that might sound a little over the top, well, you might be right but participating in sports certainly has been linked to a boost in personal confidence particularly among teenagers.
“More broadly, this thesis demonstrates that sports participation has positive influences of
wellbeing in secondary school students“
Source: Olivia McGifford – Sports Participation and Well Being – A study based around adolescents in New Zealand.
6. It feeds your competitive streak
Some people have a competitive streak that if not allowed to manifest will burst out in other areas in some form or other.
This is particularly useful in that it tends to keep you out of trouble. Current international Kyle Sinkler is very open that he could easily have gone down the wrong path if it wasn’t for rugby keeping him on the straight and narrow.
7. It keeps you out of the pub
Pretty self-explanatory this one but if your weekends are full of drinking then rugby will give you a structured schedule to abide by.
Firstly, you may not want to drink much on a Friday night as this will impair your performance on the Saturday. Secondly, you certainly won’t be drinking until after your games and you are in the bar.
At this point the beer will taster much better being as though you have earnt it properly and you’ll have a bunch of mates to enjoy it with. Just watch out for ths drinking games and songs!
8. It releases the artist in you
A painter has a canvas and a rugby player has a rugby pitch. It is not unknown for artists to get so absorbed in their work that they lose all sense of time and reality. They enter the zone where they are simply allowing their creative abilities to come to the fore.
The rugby pitch can act in the same way. It puts you in the moment. Into a space where you have no idea what you are going to do next, all you know is that you are alive and reacting to everything around you.
In that time space when you get your hands on the ball everyday matters are far from your mind. You think clearly and everyday stress is gone from your mind.
And if that sounds about fanciful then I coud phrase it more simply by saying ‘it’s just bloody good fun being chased around with a ball in your hand’.
9. Banter and camaraderie
From the outside rugby banter might seem a bit juvenile, or even imitating but once you are part of it you realise it is just one long piss take. No one is serious about what they are saying and it just a series of giggles
From the Whatsapp groups to the bus journey, from the changing room to the training pitch. Everyone is looking forward to the next opportunity to score a few points with a sarcastic comment or stupid prank.
Here is one of my favourite rugby clips of all time, these are grown adults…
If you are wondering how this is all works, well it is largely down to the fact that rugby players are respectful of one another and if someone does step out of line there is always someone bigger or stronger to put that person in their place. It is kind of a self policing thing.
“70% of players miss the camaraderie of professional rugby.”
– New Zealand Rugby Players Association (Survey results)
10. A sense of belonging
It gives you a strong sense of belonging, and sense of identity. In fact this is one of the main reasons that professional players struggle so much after they retire. 75 percent of all ABs reported struggling with this aspect after retirement.
Fortunately, for us amateur players, we don’t need to retire and can carry on playing vets rugby, or social ruby as long as we are physically capable or we can go on to contribute to our own club in a different capacity, perhaps by coaching, serving behind the bar, or doing odd jobs.
11. Rugby tours
We all know that what goes on tour stays on tour and that’s probably just as well so let’s just say that rugby tours will provide you with lasting memories. You will laugh, possibly cry, and definitely have a wild time.
Life would be poorer without rugby tours!
12. Maybe, just maybe it could turn into a career
And I’m not just talking about the very outside chance of someone becoming a professional rugby player, which is still a pretty remote possibility (How much do rugby players earn?). But, there are realistic opportunities to gain experience in coaching at your local club.
If you enjoy it and are good t it then there is the possibility of getting paid coaching work, or gaining valuable experience to put on your resume. This could be very valuable for a young person trying to make their way in the world. Check out the World Rugby Careers page here.
To be honest, I could keep on going with this list but you get the idea. Rugby is great fune to play and the community is supportive and welcoming. So, why not look up your local rugby club and get involved!
Recommended Reading: Advantages of Playing Rugby – Research Based
Image Credits
Teikyo University Rugby Football Club Players, 2015 L-Crt.Rocks are Trad.Jap.Terr., CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
