I have come to the realization that for people who play rugby, no other sport comes close in comparison to the rush you experience whilst playing. I’ve also come to the additional realization that for people who do not play rugby, it arguably seems borderline insane and absolutely barbaric.
For those of you who don’t play the game, I can understand why your perception of it may have you feeling a bit hesitant to try it. Rugby is extremely rough, violent and physical, and it certainly is not for the faint of heart.
It’s wild to consider I first started playing in the ninth grade, meaning I was roughly 14 or so. Granted, the form of rugby I played at that age is a stark contrast to what I’m playing now in my adult years, but you have to start somewhere.
Rugby is gaining attention and popularity, finally, here in North America, and I figured I would share some of my own insight toward the game in hopes of encouraging someone out there to give it a try.
One of the best elements of the game is the people you meet, which transitions over to the incredible camaraderie that exists between players. You can literally be hit harder than you ever have in your life on the pitch, only to have the hitter themselves help you back up to your feet.
I think the biggest reason I love it is because it is so primal. I like to think of each game as going to battle in a sense; you leave everything you have on that field for your teammates, whom you would risk just about anything for. It’s a contact sport with zero protection aside from a mouthguard, and for anyone thinking that a scrum cap serves as a helmet, its purpose is actually to protect your ears if you’re a forward in the scrums.
Rugby changed my life, and I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on the joy and opportunities it has presented me with. Give it a try (no pun intended).
ontheedgeofeverything 