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Development of Connecticut Rugby

The game of rugby originated at “Rugby School” in Warwickshire, England in 1823. Said to be started by a man named William Webb Ellis, from when he decided to pick up the “soccer ball” and start running during a game. From there select boarding schools and clubs decided on a set of rules and parameters for the game. In 1871 Rugby Union was official formed, later that year the first international game between Scotland and England was held. In honor of creating the sport, the World Rugby Cup is named after William Webb Ellis till this day.

As one of the oldest and most prominent Universities in the United States, Yale University was also one of the first to start a rugby team within the school. Dating back 150 years ago, Yale University was one of the first American University next to Harvard that started to incorporate rugby as a school sport. However, it went through a time where is was disbanded due to its violence and aggressive injuries. However, David Shaft a British student attending Yale took control and brought order to the madness within rugby. He started an association to organize the game so it would appear more legitimate to the University. Calling it the “Yale Football Association”. From this, formal rules were implemented and enforced, with the hopes to develop a collegiate league within America. Witch lead to the first formal game against Columbia University in November of 1872, played in New Haven Connecticut. After this first formal game, the sport began to grew within the New England collegiate area. Walter Kempt was a man who was responsible from converting the traditional game of rugby to the newly and mode civilized game of “American Football”.

Modern Day Rugby in the State of Connecticut has grown at a rate where is competes for being the most played and developing sport in the state. With a large involvement due to the ex-pat demographic and British heritage within the area. Within the State of Connecticut there are over 25 high school teams and over 10 youth teams for boys and girls. All playing in divisions based on school size and location, the level of competition is held to a high standard. Now having 4 different high school leagues, Division 1, Division 2, Junior Varsity and Freshman, all skill levels are capable and accepted into any team if qualified. Also, the state of Connecticut has numerous College and University teams. Connecticut also provides club teams for men or women who wish to play after finishing school. Well known teams like Danbury Rugby Club and Fairfield Yankees have been providing Rugby Union 15s and 7s to men and women all through the state.

The future for Connecticut Rugby is starting to look better and better as years go by. As new teams a developed and old teams are improved, the sport only continues to grow. From schools turning club teams in to school sports, to the Connecticut Rugby League starting an All-Start team. However, the development is still growing, with the supply of teams still being limited and the professional future for a rugby player being limited the past. Teams such as “Connecticut-Select” has been built as a direct performance poll for MLR (Major League Rugby) recruiters to find talent. The future for rugby in Connecticut is very prosperous, finding itself in a very well supplied area full of talent. However, in an area that has yet to develop a professional league. With the help of All-Star and Select teams, the thought of professional rugby starting in Connecticut is not far fetch for the near future.

Citation Page

“Fairfield Yankees Rugby FC.” Fairfield Yankees Rugby FC, fairfieldyankeesrugby.org/.

“1875.” 1875, www.yalerfc.com/.

“Rugger - The History, Theory and Practice of Rugby Football.” Google Books, Google, books.google.com/books?id=KsV8CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA175&lpg=PA175&dq=History+of+CT+Rugby&source=bl&ots=Xk9kvKfGL5&sig=ACfU3U30c5Zk9EP606WkzCVOcj8t_uWrBg&hl=en&ppis=_c&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwizpYrbl7vnAhWBKn0KHSEBBPAQ6AEwEnoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=History of CT Rugby&f=false.

Rugby Connecticut, www.ctrugby.org/Default.asp?org=CTRUGBY.COM.

History of Rugby, www.exiles.dk/cms/ShowContentPage.aspx?ContentPageID=15.