PARENT FAQ
We often hear similar questions from parents on a year-to-year basis. Some general questions about Rugby and, specifically, the Prep Rugby program can be found on our ABOUT page (click here.) Here are some of the more common questions … and our answers.
I don’t understand Rugby, can you explain the rules?
​
Here is a quick 7 minute primer on the sport of Rugby which I have found helpful in explaining some of the basic rules of the game. View it on YouTube here.
What does it cost to play?
Dues for the Spring season are $195 which pay for a number of expenses; dues for Fall season are generally half that amount. These expenses include some of the apparel we provide to players, referee fees, equipment used throughout the season (balls, tees, flags, etc.) as well as buses to/from practice and the occasional far away game.
​
Additionally, all players are required to register with Rugby PA (see Requirements Page.)
​
What equipment should my son have?
Cleats/Spikes – Foremost, we want the cleats to be “primarily black”, however, if you already have cleats that are another color, do NOT purchase new ones. That may sound like an odd request but when players show up with Lime Green or Fluorescent Orange cleats, they stand out and the purpose of the uniform (the noun) is to be uniform (the adjective).
​
As for style, purchase soccer cleats rather than football cleats … but, in the end, you just want something that is comfortable. For most players, they are likely going to be more comfortable in a low-profile frame unless he has bad ankles in which case, he may want to switch to high-tops.
​
Also, we will play on various surfaces over the course of the year (frozen/hard ground, artificial turf, mud) so standard soccer cleats work well. Some cleats come with replaceable studs so you can insert long studs in mid and short studs for turf but those are harder to find in local stores so don’t knock yourself out trying to find them – again, comfort is key. You should only have 2-4 studs on the back and 4-6 on the front – the problem with a lot of studs is that when it’s even a little wet or muddy, the clumps of grass are stuck in there and they don’t fall out because all the studs are holding them in. Shoes with a myriad of spikes on the bottom are generally for artificial turf fields.
​
Shorts – You should definitely get only RUGBY shorts. Rugby shorts are a lot shorter than what, say, basketball shorts and they are much more sturdy – very strong fabric. These you should buy online at a rugby site. They should be black … you may want to get two pair. Go to www.WorldRugbyShop.com (or any rugby website) see if he has a preference, if not, go with the Gilbert shorts. Not all shorts have pockets but pockets to come in handy.
Your son may also consider compression shorts. A number of players wear underneath their shorts as it prevents chaffing – sometimes they may have some minor padding on the thighs. Since compression shorts tend to be longer than rugby shorts, be sure to get black to match the shorts.
​
Protective Gear – one of the best things about rugby is that you don’t have a lot of protection … then again, some people may see that as the worst thing. There are “scrum caps” which are the precursors to the football helmet. This do NOT prevent concussions – they’re more for the minor knocks and pings to the head.
​
Your son may not feel comfortable with one but you can ask. Also, there are shoulder pads that some players wear under the jersey (see:http://www.worldrugbyshop.com/player-gear-protective-gear-shoulder-pads.html) … so these are entirely optional – best to ask your son for guidance on what would seem comfortable for him.
​
Socks/Jersey – The team will provide game socks and a game jersey.