The Darien Times

Rugby Club could kick it up to varsity

Written by David DesRoches
Wednesday, February 01, 2012 04:50 PM

The athletic department could have another sport on its roster next year — rugby.

“The rugby club has been in operation as a kind of club for five years,” Darien Athletic Director John Keleher told the Board of Education at its Jan. 10 meeting. The club has a following of roughly 30-25 students any given year, he said.

The team — already a champion at the club level — plays in the tri-state area, but if it became a school sport, players would still likely have to travel quite far for games, as few towns in the area have the sport.

Keleher also mentioned the Title 9 consideration, which requires boys and girls have equal opportunity to participate in sports. He said that currently, more girls are participating in sports than boys, so the new team would likely even the number.

“We project having an increase in boy population,” Keleher said, “so if we would add the rugby, it wouldn’t adversely impact.”

A new coach and assistant coach would cost $6,375 for the new spring sport, which would not be part of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference. Tranportation costs were estimated to be $1,600 for four trips, with $1,400 for uniforms and equipment.

Board Secretary Heather Shea noted that other relatively new sports, such as boys volleyball, girls hockey and squash, had strong financial support from parents to help with start-up costs. She asked if there was similar support for rugby.

Superinendent Dr. Stephen Falcone said the schools have not solicited for that kind of support, but in the other cases, it was a matter of having the infrastructure to support the new sports, whereas with rugby, the schools already have fields for games and practices.

Board member Amy Bell said rugby would be a good opportunity for kids who aren’t interesting in other sports to participate in an activity, and would also give athletes another option during the off-season from their primary sport.

Keleher added that rugby has maintained a steady interest from incoming freshman who are introduced to the sport by upperclassmen, and he doesn’t expect that enthusiasm to wane.

ddesroches@darientimes.com

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