A quick online search for “fastest growing sport in the U.S.,” yields some surprising results: ultimate Frisbee, Mixed Martial Arts, rugby, and pickle ball. The top of the heap seems to be rugby. A 2010 survey by a sporting goods industry group ranked rugby as the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., and a recent Boston Globe article reported that rugby enrollment grew 81 percent from 2008 to 2013, beating out both lacrosse and hockey. With its addition to the 2016 Olympics, the trend will likely continue.
Santa CruzCounty mirrors this nationwide growth. Three years ago local youth that were interested in rugby had to trek over the hill to play for the Los Gatos Lions. In 2013 Lions’ President Chris Fisher helped their families, including some from ScottsValley and San LorenzoValley, form a new club: the Santa Cruz Redhawks. “The Redhawks have done really well,” says Fisher. “The first year they fielded U8, U10 and U12 teams. Last year they added middle school, but often had to borrow players from other clubs for games. This year we expect a full side of middle school players.” High school students still play with Los Gatos for now.
Matt McMillan, an SLVMiddle School teacher and Redhawks’ coach, has only good things to say about the sport, which he played and coached at the college level. “Rugby helped change my life for the better,” he says. “It was an honor and privilege for me to coach at ChicoState and now to try and teach this age level — I hope it will affect them as much as it did me.” According to eighth grader Maxx Amos of Felton, it probably will. “I’ve overcome lots of obstacles in rugby,” he says. “When I made my first tackle, I thought, ‘Wow, that was scary but so awesome.’ That helped build my confidence on and off the pitch.”
Erik Amos, Maxx’s dad and coach, wants to educate more parents about the safety of those tackles. “Many people just think its rough, but with the right coaching and direction, we have fewer injuries in rugby than other sports our kids play.” Some football teams now teach rugby style tackling because it’s safer, and a recent Time magazine article noted rugby’s lack of pads and helmets reduces serious injury because pads can create a false sense of invulnerability.
Maxx’s greatest lesson from his father’s history with the sport is about what happens off the field, though: “The teammates and people you meet in rugby will be your friends for life,” he says. Maybe that’s why it’s growing so fast.
Redhawks start regular practices at Siltanen Park in January. Pre-season unofficial practices start after Thanksgiving in Aptos so athletes new to the sport can try it out. For more information: Chris Fisher (408) 234-1595 or register at santacruzyouthrugby.com
