The Start of Something great
Western Loudoun RugbyI've been playing the game of rugby for a very long time. Some of the current players on the high school team have heard me say that for a very long time. I say it because I want to emphasize not my experience or imply expertise, but to point out that rugby can be a life-long pleasure. Something that you, too, can do for a very long time.
I've been playing for 34 years, but I am by no means the most experienced or the most storied person who's ever played. I had the honor of playing in Canada against the University of Guelph a number of years ago, and there was a 78 year old winger in the game. He didn't move like a gazelle... but he wasn't using a walker either. I was prepared to feel sorry for him until he called me an obscene name as he tried to run me over... and I realized he was all in.
No matter where I go in the world, I have a home thanks to rugby. The brotherhood of rugby is amazing. I was once travelling in the northeast of France, and the rental car I was driving suffered a flat. After walking about a mile down a mountainside into a little town outside Strasbourg, I found what amounted to a service station. I had on the quarter-panel kit of Montgomery (MD) Rugby, and the guy inside asked me, Jouez-vous du rugby? Do you play rugby? I said yes, I did. And that was that. The guy drove me back out to my car, towed me to the service station, offered me food, and then fixed the tire... and the flattened spare. He told me he played for the local club, and they had a game the following evening. I had intended to head back to Paris, but decide to stay see what was up. The guy traded kits with me - I gave him a Montgomery Hoops kit and got a cool Molshem kit in return - and I got to watch them play.
I've played for club sides in England and Wales, I've played against former All Blacks players and along side USA Eagles. I wish everyone could have the chance to play this world-wide game, and I hope some day you'll be able to tell the next generation...
I've been playing this game a very long time.
Posted by Jeff Lange
Reader Comments (1)
I am very proud of our U-19 A and B sides today. A strong showing by shutting out Western Suburbs on their pitch. Well done boys. - Momma Kelly