Youth Rugby

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The NSRFC, in conjuction with Manchester-by-the-Sea Recreation, is running a tag rugby program for kids aged 6 - 13 years old, late September through the end of October, 2010, in Manchester-by-the-Sea.

Tag rugby is a non-contact sport designed to introduce children and teenagers to rugby and develop basic skills in a fun, encouraging environment. Similar to flag football, the rules for tag rugby are modified from official IRB rules to eliminate contact, and “tackles” occur by pulling one of two velcro tags off a ball carrier's belt. Scrums, rucks and lineouts are also absent. Strategic passing and evasion is emphasized in an attempt to keep all players in near-constant motion. Download the complete rules (Adobe Reader required).

The NSRFC will provide coaching and referees for practice and games every Sunday from 2 to 4 PM, starting September 26^th and finishing on October 31^st. Practice will include coaching on basic skills, such as passing, receiving, sidestep, draw & pass. Parents and other supporters are encouraged to attend games and to cheer the teams on. All age groups and teams will be a mix of girls and boys. Registration costs $60.00, includes a T-shirt (please note your child's size on the form), and is open to surrounding towns on the North Shore, not just Manchester residents. Register online at Manchester Parks & Recreation (look for Tag Rugby near the bottom of the list). The The NSRFC will not be accepting registrations directly.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Des Crowley at tagrugby@nsrfc.com.

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The NSRFC, in conjuction with Town of Danvers Recreation, is running a tag rugby program for kids aged 6 - 12 years old, late June through mid-August, 2010, at Plains Park in Danvers.

Tag rugby is a non-contact sport designed to introduce children and teenagers to rugby and develop basic skills in a fun, encouraging environment. Similar to flag football, the rules for tag rugby are modified from official IRB rules to eliminate contact, and “tackles” occur by pulling one of two velcro tags off a ball carrier's belt. Scrums, rucks and lineouts are also absent. Strategic passing and evasion is emphasized in an attempt to keep all players in near-constant motion. Download the complete rules (Adobe Reader required).

The NSRFC will provide coaching and referees for practice and games every Saturday from 10am to noon, starting June 26^th and finishing with the New England Rugby Jamboree on August 14^th. Practice will include coaching on basic skills, such as passing, receiving, sidestep, draw & pass. Parents and other supporters are encouraged to attend games and to cheer the teams on. All age groups and teams will be a mix of girls and boys. Registration costs $60.00, includes a T-shirt (please note your child's size on the form), and is open to surrounding towns on the North Shore, not just Danvers residents. Forms are available at Danvers Recreation (in the list of available programs, look for 165302-09: Summer Rugby at the end). The The NSRFC will not be accepting registrations directly.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Des Crowley at tagrugby@nsrfc.com.

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The NSRFC, in conjuction with Town of Danvers Recreation, is running a tag rugby camp for 5 - 12 year olds, from April to June, 2010, at a location in Danvers yet to be determined.

Tag rugby is a non-contact sport designed to introduce children and teenagers to rugby and develop basic skills in a fun, encouraging environment. Similar to flag football, the rules for tag rugby are modified from official IRB rules to eliminate contact, and “tackles” occur by pulling one of two velcro tags off a ball carrier's belt. Scrums, rucks and lineouts are also absent. Strategic passing and evasion is emphasized in an attempt to keep all players in near-constant motion. Download the complete rules (Adobe Reader required).

The NSRFC will provide coaching and referees for practice and games every Sunday at 2pm from April to June. Practice will include coaching on basic skills, such as passing, receiving, sidestep, draw & pass. Parents and other supporters are encouraged to attend games and to cheer the teams on. All age groups and teams will be a mix of girls and boys. Registration costs $60.00, includes a T-shirt (please note your child's size on the form), and is open to surrounding towns on the North Shore, not just Danvers residents. Forms are available at Danvers Recreation (in the list of available programs, look for 165302-29: Spring Tag Rugby at the end). The The NSRFC will not be accepting registrations directly.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Des Crowley at tagrugby@nsrfc.com.

An enthusiastic, committed turn out by kids and parents alike made the camp a runaway success. And to top it off, the first ever North Shore “Trailblazers” Youth Rugby team ran in twenty tries while conceding only nine in four games, at the Fourth Annual New England Youth Rugby Jamboree at Mystic River RFC, Malden. This is a tournament which emphasizes fair play and open running rugby in a “no trophy competition”, and was thoroughly enjoyable for all who particpated - coaches, parents, referees, and the excellent young players!

Thanks to Dean & Marie Murphy for taking lots of photos at the Jamboree. Thanks also to the Town of Danvers Recreation Department for spreading the word and allowing the Trailblazers to train in Plains Park.

The Trailblazers entered un-chartered waters in our first tournament and came out on top. We seemed to see Boston Irish Wolfhound colors everywhere and we were not wrong, in the end playing three of their six teams, but coming out on the right side at the end of the day. We finished off playing against Mystic River C and ran to a tie. The Trailblazers ran to space with the ball in both hands playing “heads up rugby” with some incredibly brilliant support play and passing in every game!

The Trailblazers, true to character, offered not one excuse for the tie. Great credit to them, playing with no subs on the bench!

The North Shore Trailblazers were well led by their Captain Emily Fenn-Smith with some searing runs which were well supported by the deep running of Dylan Murphy and super support play from Owen Pearce, Lew Taylor, and Jack Donaldson. Certainly, a future NSRFC prop forward with hands and a “jink”. Grant Roach made several devastating breaches of our opponents defense and his younger brother Stu Roach made a “barrel load” of tags. Charlie Fenn-Smith scored several tries but his main contribution was like that of an openside flanker up in support, making breaks to space and supporting the ball carrier. Rhiannon Murphy saved us from defeat with terrific runs down the left and right flanks launching the attack which ended with a try to level the scores! Zack Schutz ran in a beauty of a try and did a great job organizing the defense with Charlie-Fenn-Smith. Lew Taylor and Jack Donaldson seemed to be involved in every play and Owen Pearce popped some nice passes from the ground for continuity. Emily as always was to the forefront in both attack and defensive chase backs.

Who says kids don't like to keep score? Tell that to the Trailblazers!! GREAT YOUNG COMPETITORS! The results were brought in with only ten players playing in all the games! The last game had us start and finish with no subs on the bench. Well done Trailblazers!

The top try scorers of the day were Emily with 7 and Dylan with 7, meaning one of the official results below is a try short, but no matter.

3 Wins · 1 Draw · 0 Losses · 21 tries for North Shore, 9 against

• NS Trailblazers 3 - 0 Boston Irish Wolfhounds F
• NS Trailblazers 6 - 2 Boston Irish Wolfhounds E
• NS Trailblazers 7 - 3 Boston Irish Wolfhounds C
• NS Trailblazers 4 - 4 Mystic River C

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Thanks to Rugby Imports for donating size 4 rugby balls, Dick's Sporting Goods for supplies such as whistles and pinneys, and others for their support.