The Game Played in Heaven Comes to AIS
What do Bill Clinton and Pope John Paul II have in common? Perhaps, thankfully, not a great deal beyond a fondness for the sport of rugby. Former President Clinton played the game during his time at Oxford University, whilst the Pontiff (perhaps playing with the benefit of some divine intervention) represented the Polish national team for some time.
William Webb-Ellis has a great deal to answer for. Whilst playing football on the hallowed turf of Rugby school in England’s Midlands in 1823 he, ignorant of the global impact he would eventually have, “with a fine disregard for the rules of football as played in his time, first took the ball in his arms and ran with it…” thereby starting the sport that took the name of his school. Today hundreds of thousands players in more than 90 countries have Webb-Ellis to thank for his moment of creative rebellion.
Whilst not equaling the global popularity of soccer, rugby is truly an international sport. Now it’s arrived at another international school. Eighty AIS students have signed up to start learning the skills of this fast, dynamic sport. Girls and boys of the Upper School will play together in a non-contact version of the game. For seven Friday afternoons, the students will be supervised and coached by a band of qualified coaches and enthusiastic adults, all of whom share a passion for the game.
In which ways might our students benefit from trying rugby? Fitness, teamwork, self-discipline and rugby’s legendary sense of camaraderie are obvious responses. It is hoped that the students will enjoy their experiences of learning the skills of the game. At its best, it is a fast moving, free running game. Rugby is a very inclusive team sport. Take it from me; it’s a game for participants of all different shapes and sizes!
In terms of both participation and popularity, rugby is growing tremendously at college level throughout the US. College scholarships in large NCAA schools are available for males and females. There are now more than 2,000 rugby clubs in the US. Anyone who has been exposed to the game, learned its skills and enjoyed it has the opportunity to play organized rugby through college and beyond on that road toward “middle age.”
Sport is a language – without words. You could find yourself in an international posting in Budapest – and there are five rugby clubs to join. You can’t speak the language, but you can speak the language. Rugby becomes your ticket to full cultural immersion. Friendships made in rugby last forever, wherever they are made.
We have Coach Fairbanks to thank for this development in AIS sport. Let’s hope that the students get bitten by the rugby bug. They are in for a treat!
(Parents – if any of you are interested in helping out with AIS rugby, please contact phurworth@aischool.org).