Joining a Club

[WetAndCold]

Hi, first post here.

A couple of years ago I played junior (U 14's - 15's) rugby and I am thinking of starting again. I was kind of.... well...... rubbish, lol. The problem was I think because I wasn't the best player on the pitch I was always a sub, and when I did go on I always played on the wing; which was crap. It seemed like they kept on putting me there because they needed to give me some game time but the wing is "out of the way" so to speak. So there was no chance of me getting the ball, sometimes as little as once or twice a game. I think I'm an OK tackler, however, whenever the other team spun the ball wide there was always a massive overlap of 2 or 3 people and I would be made to look like a twat tackling one and having to let the other two go (what else can you do!?) which just made me look even more rubbish.

So, yeh, my first forage into rugby wasn't really a great memory, especially as (because I wasn't the greatest player) the rest of the team never seemed to pay any attention to me. Enough of the sob story though because funnily enough I did enjoy what little game time I got.

I don't want to join the same team again, I would like a "clean slate" if you know what I mean. As I'm 16 would I be joining a senior team now?

Also, I DON'T want to play wing, I have no pace at all, I'm 57kg and faster than forwards, but i'm not 'fast' by any stretch of the imagination. Does being small and not very fast mean I'm not "cut out" to play rugby full stop? Position wise, I would try to go for scrum half, as my passing is quite good (I practised alot ). But some advice here would be good too: If I ask to be tried out in a certain position on the training field would they let me? Or just shove me on the wing like my old club? Lol, If they do I won't stay .

Last question: Are rugby clubs only for 'good' players? Can I join just for fun; hell, I would rather not play a single game because I'm not be a very good player but be much more involved rather than be put on the wing to be forgotten about. I just want to be more involved.

Sorry about the long post


Thanks.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

You can just joing 'for fun'
The majority of teams will have several teams (1st XV, 2nd, sometimes 3rd and 4th depending on the size of the player base)

They'll see how you play in training and judge your position from there, though mentioning you're interested in playing SH they could train you up for that,
Being 16 you'll play for the "Colts" type teams (that's what my local clubs 16-18yr old team is called anyhow) - not senior rugby yet (that's normally 18+, though if some players excel in the colts they may get gametime in the seniors)

Best thing to do is go down to your club, and get training and the such and take it from there!

 

[Teh Mite]

The most important thing to remember when joining a rugby team is to enjoy playing. If you don't, there's no point!

As Olyy said, there are normally several different teams in each club which refelect the ability and competitiveness of the players within. If you can reach the dizzy heights of the 1sts, you need to want to but it'll show you're also really good (or you've joined a really shitty club!). You're likely to start out in the lowest team and move up (usually 3rds or 4ths in most clubs). Chances are in the lower teams you'll also be occasionally borrowing the opposition players or even being loaned out yourself when not enough turn up on match day; We've all been there!

In the lower teams you'll always be expected to bed in with the graft on the pitch, but it'll take longer to get in the social side. Ath the end of the day it's the same as any new social circle. The team captain will have the job of making you part of the team. It's likely there'll be some form of induction also through which you'll break the ice. Also remember to bring your beer-drinking A-Game after your first match!

As for what position, just try a few different ones out. When I started, I moved from Scrum Half to Centre to Wing (to Physios Office to Terrace-while-drinking-beer-instead). Over time you'll find out what your own strengths are and through that you'll find your position. Remember things like speed and strength come with the fitness you'll gain in training.

Best of luck though. Please do keep us updated with how it goes!

 

[cyRil]

Also remember to bring your beer-drinking A-Game after your first match!

For initiation with my last team we had to do 2 yards of ale. You got three goes to down it, if you stopped more than that you had to get naked to finish it off.
Fortunately I did it in 2!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

For initiation with my last team we had to do 2 yards of ale. You got three goes to down it, if you stopped more than that you had to get naked to finish it off.
Fortunately I did it in 2!

Didn't stop you getting naked though
"for the bant"

 

[cyRil]

Wheeeeeeeeyyyyyyy, who wants to see my pants en boys?!?!?!!!

 

[TrueSlawter]

haha at 16 you'll be in a youth team as said which is 16-19.. i've recently joined back playing after 6 years out (stopped around 11 now 17).. At youth there normally isnt a initiation but as said if you do well you might play the odd 2nd XV game however this is mainly the 18-19 year olds.

Anyway as for possition at your first session they'll likely ask you and pop you there in training to see how you go... but expect a lack of matches to start, this season (1st one back) out of around 15 games i've played in around 5-6, 4/5 (depending on if it was 5 or 6 ) from the bench for 20 mins then 1 i started.. so dont really expect to break into the team / play lots untill a few months in (mid-end of season tbh.. so for me hopefully after xmas). As for joining for fun its fine as long as you get on well with the team and train well you'll start to play and enjoy it more tbh