The Sparta-Rock Rugby Team is an all-girls team based in West Michigan. They play against other schools in the state, though rugby isn’t a very popular sport, so there aren’t many teams.
Rugby is often compared to a mix of soccer and football. It’s a full-contact sport, like football, and athletes kick the ball, like in soccer.
The players practice at Rougewood Elementary School on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4-6. Most of their games are played at that location, too, or at the opposing schools.
This team represents many schools in the West Michigan area, including Sparta, Rockford, Cedar Springs, Comstock Park, and Northview. Juniors Kara Kieras and Maddie Peskin from Northview play on this team.
“The name is kind of misleading. You can be from anywhere really,” Kieras said.
Rugby can be considered a fairly violent sport, as players can be tackled and pushed, much like football. Peskin said that multiple girls on her team have concussions and Kieras said that a girl injured her knee. Neither of the girls have been seriously injured, but they are aware of the risk.
“You play your heart out and if you get injured it’s just something that happens,” Kieras said.
The two Northview players have really gotten to know each other through this team.
“I think it’s like any team, you try to get as close as you can, but certain people will always be closer than others,” Kieras said.
Rugby definitely has its challenges. The sport is complicated and a hard workout, but there’s also time for getting to know each of the teammates. Peskin and Kieras are new to the team this year, so it took an adjustment to get to know the sport, but the team has made it easier.
“For me, I think the hardest part was not really knowing what I was doing and then having to fit in with everybody else and trying to find my place on the team,” Kieras said.
The team is having a successful season and they hope to finish strong as well.
New sports are cool, great job Ava. Boys rugby any time soon?