Did you know that Milpitas has several rugby teams?
Overseen by the Police Activities League (PAL), The Guard Rugby Football Club is about to start its second season.
Three of the teams — girls high school, boys high school, and boys middle school — have 15 players apiece; while the girls middle school team has 7.
Although tryouts and practice won’t happen ’til the Fall, Milpitas Police Officer Mark Doyle, who runs the program, has begun a short summer Rugby Academy, to give interested students a chance to learn more about and gain some experience with the sport.
“We teach the basics, like being able to throw the ball, pass the ball, and catch the ball; also, running drills. And then we’ll introduce the game as an Ultimate Frisbee kind of thing. Where you get used to passing it back and forth and have a competition,” said Officer Doyle. “The first two weeks are no contact, flag and touch, working on skills, gaining confidence. We will add rules along the way until we get closer to an actual rugby game.”
The coaches on hand for the Academy are USA rugby certified, as well as experienced players themselves. They’ve coached everything from youth through college.
The Rugby Academy began last Saturday, July 28.
Anyone who was unable to make it to the first session can hop in anytime. The Academy will go for another two Saturdays — August 4 and August 11, from 9am to 12pm on both days. Sessions take place at Dixon Landing Park.
More information can be found on the Club’s website.
