Who plays rugby and is it as rough as it seems?  

These are great questions which we are frequently asked. How does Stonehill College have such a successful, nationally recognized men’s and women’s rugby program when you probably don’t know much about the sport?  

• Anyone can play rugby. Its European roots can be found in soccer, football, track and other popular sports.
• Rugby has transferable skills. If you have played a competitive sport in the past, you might be an excellent rugby player. Some, but not all of these skills are: agility (basketball, soccer and football) speed and quickness (track, football, basketball, volleyball), hand eye coordination (lacrosse, golf, basketball, baseball / softball / field hockey), foot skills (soccer, football) anaerobic endurance (lacrosse, track and x country, soccer, field hockey), strength and power (football, weight training).
• Not all of our players have all these athletic abilities, but they all have one or two. Like most sports, rugby has positions which allow the athlete to highlight their specific athletic skills.
• Virtually none of Stonehill Colleges 50 – 60 men’s and women’s rugby players have ever seen, let alone played the sport before coming to campus.
• The idea that rugby is a “vicious” or overly rough sport is a myth. Tackling in rugby is only allowed by wrapping your arms around the opponent (no diving or propelling of the body) and blocking is not allowed.
• Of course rugby players get injured; however there are many sports with much higher injury rates. While this is a difficult statistic to measure, at least one study showed that rugby isn’t even in the top 30. (National Injury Clearing house; Consumer Products Safety Commission)
• Stonehill students have a great experience as members of our rugby teams. We would love you to join us in our tradition of excellence, camaraderie and fun.