CDC YOUTH RUGBY PARENT GUIDE - 2021 WWW.CARMELYOUTHRUGBY.ORG WWW.CARMELDADSCLUB.ORG - CARMEL YOUTH ...
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2021
CDC YOUTH RUGBY
PARENT GUIDE
www.CarmelYouthRugby.org
www.CarmelDadsClub.org
@carmel_rugby @cdcyouthrugby @carmelythrugby
1
WELCOME
TO OUR RUGBY FAMILY
We are excited that you are learning more about our rugby program and hope to welcome you soon to the
Carmel Youth Rugby family.
Affiliated with the Carmel Dads Club, Rugby Indiana and USA Rugby, we provide opportunities for boys and
girls in grades 2-8 to play flag and tackle rugby in a fun environment focused on safety, skill development,
teamwork and participation, directed by experienced and USA Rugby certified coaches.
Our club is focused on developing the fundamental skills required to play rugby. We believe that through
development our athletes will grow to love the game and continue to play throughout their life.
Many people in the United States aren’t overly familiar with rugby, but it’s a global sport invented in 1823
and now played in over 120 countries by 9.1 million people worldwide, including 2.4 million women and girls.
During a time when some youth sports are declining, our program has grown by 40% the past three years,
including the addition of our 7th/8th grade girls team in 2019.
Rugby also rejoined the Olympics in 2016 in Rio with both a men’s and women’s 7’s tournament. And, in 2018,
the United States hosted the Rugby 7’s World Cup for the first time, where more than 100,000 fans packed into
AT&T Park in San Francisco.
The 2019 World Cup in Tokyo, Japan had 1.84 million fans attend the 45 tournament matches while a broadcast
audience of over 400 million watched on television.
Rugby is a unique sport because it allows the players to make real-time decisions. The game of rugby includes
preparation, training and coaching, but the non-stop action puts the strategy and game into the players hands.
No other sport is quite like rugby – combining skills from football, soccer, track, basketball and wrestling all in
one.
All players can run, pass, catch, kick, score and tackle (or pull a flag) and all play both defense and offense
at any given time during a game. There is a position on the field for everyone who wants to play – short or
tall, big or small, boys and girls. Our flag and 5/6 grade coed tackle teams led the Indianapolis area in girls
participation in 2018 and in 2019 we fielded a 7/8 grade girls tackle team for the first time in several years and
they went on to finish 3rd in state!
Above all, rugby is a social sport with strong values that cultivate camaraderie and
competition while also demanding respect and good sportsmanship. Our club’s
mantra, #FIRSTonthepitch, is a constant reminder to focus on Friendship, Integrity,
Responsibility, Sportsmanship and Teamwork.
We encourage you come to our Try Rugby night, explore our website, connect with
us on social media, and register to play this fun and fast-paced global sport.
Sincerely,
Scott LeVeque
CDC Youth Rugby Commissioner & father of three ruggers
2
OUR TEAMS
We field four teams at three different grade levels, providing both flag and tackle options for boys and girls
in grades 2 to 8. Game rules are modified based on age, providing a progression of age appropriate skill
development.
2ND-4TH GRADE COED FLAG TEAM
Our coed team for boys and girls in grades 2-4, plays a non-
contact, 7 vs 7 flag version of rugby on a smaller field with
modified rules. It’s a great introduction to the game that
keeps our youngest players moving in non-stop action while
introducing them to this exciting Olympic sport!
5TH/6TH GRADE COED TACKLE TEAM
Our 5th/6th grade coed team is the introduction to tackle
rugby for both boys and girls. Kicking is added at this level
but modified age-based rules, including a 1/2 size field, fewer
players (10), uncontested scrums and no lifting, keeps the focus
on player development, safety and fast-paced fun.
7TH/8TH GRADE GIRLS TACKLE TEAM
Our 7th/8th grade girls tackle returned to our program with
great success in 2019, finishing 3rd in the state. This team plays
Rugby Sevens, a more wide-open and faster-paced version of
rugby played in the Olympics. Girls from all sports backgrounds
and all shapes and sizes are needed and welcomed to join this
exciting new era in Carmel girls youth rugby.
7TH/8TH GRADE BOYS TACKLE TEAM
Our 7th/8th boys tackle team plays full-field, 15 player per
side rugby. Boys with backgrounds in football, basketball,
soccer, wresting, track and cross country already have skills
that transition to the rugby pitch. Boys seeking a new fast, fun
and physical sporting challenge are encouraged to join and
experience the unique teamwork and camaraderie of rugby.
3
HEAD COACHES
Coaching is the most critical component of any successful youth sports program. We are very proud our USA
Rugby L200 certified head coaches who combine for over 70 years of playing and coaching experience at
every level of the game from youth to high school to college and international rugby.
Our coaches take pride in sharing their knowledge and passion for the game with our young players and
creating a fun learning environment focused on safety, skill development, teamwork, and participation.
EVAN ROBERTS - HEAD COACH, 2ND-4TH GRADE COED FLAG
Evan began playing rugby in high school, where he captained Brownsburg HS to a Tier 2
National Championship. During that same period, Evan was also captain for the Indiana
U-19 All-Stars team which earned both the Midwest Regional All-Star Championship and
the Eastern Regional All-Star Championship. He continues to play the sport with the Indy
Impalas Men’s Rugby Club. Evan began coaching rugby in 2007 and has coached with CDC
Youth Rugby since 2014. His youngest daughter will be on the flag team this season.
KELLY ROMANO - HEAD COACH, 7TH/8TH GRADE GIRLS
Kelly’s love of rugby began in 1997 when she played flank for the Illinois State University
women’s team and won a national title. In 1999, rugby brought Kelly to Edith Cowan
University in Australia where she continued to play while traveling the Pacific Rim. Upon
her return to the U.S., Kelly participated in one practice with the U.S. National Team B side
before returning to ISU to fulfill grant obligations. The 2021 season will be Kelly’s sixth year
coaching with CDC Youth Rugby. Her son plays rugby at CHS and her daughter will be on
the 7th/8th grade girls team this season.
MATT SAUNDERS - HEAD COACH, 7TH/8TH GRADE BOYS
Matt began his rugby career in college at Indiana University, where he played and later
coached under Sarasopa Enari. He has also worked in rugby data operations for Stats LLC in
Chicago and as an intern for Rugby Illinois and the USA Rugby Collegiate Department. Matt
is entering his third season with CDC Youth Rugby.
GERRIT VERPLANK - HEAD COACH, 5TH/6TH GRADE COED
Gerrit started four years for Cathedral HS and made the All-State team three times. He also
won a State Championship and took 3rd place in the National HS Tournament. After high
school, Gerrit moved to England to play for the West Norfolk Rugby Club. Upon returning
to the U.S., he was selected for the U.S. U-19 team that toured New Zealand. He then joined
the rugby team at Indiana University where he was named a 2nd team college All-American.
Gerrit’s son will be on the 5th/6th grade coed team this season.
SCOTT LEVEQUE - COMMISSIONER
Scott has been involved with CDC Youth Rugby since 2016 when his daughter began playing
the sport with the flag team. Scott assumed the role of CDC Youth Rugby Commissioner
in the fall 2017 and has since completed USA Rugby Level 100 and Level 200 coaching
certifications. All three of Scott’s children are ruggers. His daughter now plays rugby at CHS
and his two sons will be on the flag team and 7th/8th grade boys team this season.
4
SAFETY
AGE-BASED PROGRESSION
Our youngest team, for boys and girls in grades 2-4, plays a non-contact flag version of rugby with modified
rules. It’s a great introduction to the game that keeps young kids moving in non-stop action while introducing
them to the newest Olympic sport in a fun and safe way.
Our tackle teams at the 5/6 and 7/8 grade levels, follow an age-based progression which builds upon their
skills and offers more advanced game play as they get older.
USA RUGBY CERTIFIED COACHES
All CDC Youth Rugby coaches are experienced and USA Rugby certified and most have sons or daughters in
the program. All coaches complete USA Rugby Level 100 online educational modules and all tackle coaches
also attend full-day, hands-on instructional clinics to achieve Level 200 certification from USA Rugby.
Topics covered include: Long-term player development / Pre-participation / Equipment, environment and
emergency plan / Physical Conditioning / Lifestyle / Warm up / Principles of play / Open field play / The tackle
/ The ruck / The maul / The scrum / The lineout / Cool down & recovery / Injury management
In addition, all coaches complete these two Player Protection Package courses: World Rugby Concussion
Management and USOC Safesport Course
CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINERS
A certified athletic trainer, provided by Rugby Indiana, is on-site at all matches to immediately assess and treat
any injuries that may occur and seek further medical support if needed.
CERTIFIED REFEREES
All game referees are certified by USA Rugby and required to take Player Safety online classes. A rugby
referee’s primary role is to create a safe environment for the players while enforcing the adherence to the laws
of the game.
5
THE RUGBY TACKLE
The laws of the game, flow of play and the absence padding and helmets results in a tackling method and
approach to contact that, while physical, is very different than football.
• Rugby players don’t wear protective
equipment, thus the rugby player doesn’t
have the same disregard for the safety
of his or her head, neck, and shoulders
when tackling or trying to break through a
tackle.
• Players are taught shoulder tackling
techniques and to use their arms to wrap
a player’s legs and let the momentum of
that player cause him to go to ground.
• All tackles require players to wrap with
their arms between the shoulders and
knees. Any contact above the shoulders
is considered a “Reckless Tackle” and a
player can be yellow carded or removed
from the game. Even accidental contact
can result in a penalty.
• Blocking is not permitted in rugby. The only player allowed to be contacted is the person with the ball,
therefore there are no blindside hits or hits on unsuspecting players. Nearly all collisions can be anticipated,
allowing athletes to better prepare for contact situations.
• Rugby is a game of possession, not yardage. Coaching technique emphasizes passing before being
tackled and other skills aimed at retaining possession. This is in place of struggling to gain yards while
opponents attempt to stop players at all costs.
• Without blocking, space to run cannot be created by brute force. Therefore, rugby encourages the use of
evasion and misdirection which creates opportunities to run plays and score points.
• Shoulder blocks, diving at the knees, or other dangerous tackles are illegal in rugby.
“How we teach tackling was recently inspired by
those who play rugby around the world. Rugby
players have taken the head out of the game and
truly exemplify shoulder tackling.”
— Pete Carroll, Head Coach, Seattle Seahawks
6
RUGBY’S VALUES
Rugby’s values are what makes the game special for those
who enjoy the environment and culture they create. These
traditional values remain as important to rugby’s future as they
have been throughout its long and distinguished past. The
principles of rugby are the fundamental elements upon which
the game is based and they enable participants to immediately
identify the game’s character and what makes it distinctive as a
sport.
In 2009, the World Rugby member unions identified integrity,
passion, solidarity, discipline and respect as the defining
character-building characteristics of rugby. These are now
collectively known as the World Rugby values and are
incorporated within the World Rugby Playing Charter, a
guiding document aimed at preserving rugby’s unique
character and ethos both on and off the field of play.
We bring this ethos to the youth rugby level in several ways,
including:
• ONLY THE TEAM CAPTAIN MAY SPEAK TO THE
REFEREE
• ALL PLAYERS SHAKE HANDS AND TAKE
COMBINED TEAM PHOTOS AFTER EVERY GAME
• EACH TEAM SELECTS A PLAYER FROM THE
OTHER TEAM AS THE “PLAYER OF THE
MATCH” FOR THEIR SKILLED PLAY, EFFORT OR
SPORTSMANSHIP
• THE HOME TEAM PROVIDES A FREE MEAL FROM
CONCESSIONS TO ALL VISITING PLAYERS
Our club mantra is #FIRSTonthepitch, which translates to
displaying our club values of Friendship, Integrity, Respect,
Sportsmanship and Teamwork on the field (the pitch).
“It’s the only game in my eyes
where there’s real values...Rugby
brings friends from around the
world together, and whilst you
go to battle on the pitch, as soon
as you leave the pitch, you have
friendships for life.”
— Mike Friday, Men’s USA 7’s Head Coach
7
RUGBY SEASON
WHEN DO WE PLAY?
Indoor practices will begin on Friday’s in March at one of the Carmel Middle Schools. Indoor practices will
occur each Friday until spring break.
After spring break, all teams begin outdoor practices twice per week on Wednesday and Friday evenings at
River Road Park.
The rugby match season is about five weeks in length, beginning in mid-April and concluding in late May
prior to Memorial Day weekend. Games are played on Sunday afternoons with each team typically playing
two opponents at one location. Rugby Indiana will release the final game schedule in March.
WHERE DO WE PLAY?
Home matches and practices are at River Road Park. We typically have 2 or 3 home Sundays and 2 or 3 away.
WHO DO WE PLAY?
Rugby is a local travel sport. Our teams play opponents from neighboring communities including Avon,
Westfield, Fishers, Pendleton, Brownsburg, Broad Ripple, Noblesville and Pike.
REGISTRATION & FEES
Step one of registration takes place on the Carmel Dads Club website at www.CarmelDadsClub.org. After
completing the rugby registration on the CDC website, parents will receive further instructions by email to
complete the required youth rugby registration with Rugby Indiana.
2ND-4TH GRADE COED FLAG TEAM
• $90 sport fee to Carmel Dads’ Club
• $75 fee to Rugby Indiana (scheduling, referees, trainers, USA Rugby blanket liability policy)
• Each player receives a t-shirt
• New players receive a rugby ball
5TH/6TH GRADE COED TEAM
• $90 sport fee to Carmel Dads’ Club
• $95 fee to Rugby Indiana (scheduling, referees, trainers, USA Rugby blanket liability policy)
• Each player receives rugby shorts, rugby socks and a t-shirt. Game jerseys stay with the team.
• New players receive a rugby ball
7TH/8TH BOYS TEAM & 7TH/8TH GIRLS TEAM
• $90 sport fee to Carmel Dads’ Club
• $120 fee to Rugby Indiana (scheduling, referees, trainers, USA Rugby blanket liability policy)
• Each player receives rugby shorts, rugby socks and a t-shirt. Game jerseys stay with the team.
• New players receive a rugby ball
Carmel Dads Club Annual Fee
Unless you have Lifetime CDC membership, Carmel Dads’ Club will charge an annual family fee of $50.00, paid one time during the
calendar year when the first family member registers for any CDC sport. The fee is good for the whole year and for all children in the
family. If registering for rugby is your family’s first CDC sport registration of 2021, the annual fee will be added to your rugby fees.
8
RUGBY 101
Rugby is a global Olympic sport and one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States. Rugby
is played in over 120 countries by 9.1 million people worldwide, including 2.4 million women and girls.
Worldwide, rugby has 405 millions fans, including 45 million in the United States.
All players play both defense and offense at any given time during a game. Similar to the game of soccer,
rugby is a continuous game where the ball is constantly moving and play will not stop unless a team has
scored, the ball goes out of bounds, or a penalty is given.
Most appealing is the fact that there is a position for everyone who wants to play – short or tall, big or
small, boy or girl. Above all, rugby is a social sport that praises competition but demands respect and good
sportsmanship.
How it Started: The legend goes that a student at the Rugby School in England, William Webb Ellis, was
playing soccer in 1823 when he picked up the ball and ran down the field to score.
Scoring: There are four ways to score points in a rugby game.
• Try – When the ball is grounded over an opponents’ goal line in their ‘try zone’ it is worth 5 points.
• Conversion – After scoring a try the team gets an attempt to kick the ball over the crossbar and through
the posts of the rugby uprights. Worth 2 points.
• Penalty – If the opposition commits a penalty, a team can choose to kick at the goal. Worth 3 points.
• Drop Goal – During play a team may drop the ball on the ground and kick it over the goal. Worth 3 points.
Number of Players: Traditional rugby consists of 15 players on each side. Other versions of the game include
10 players on each side and seven players on each side, called Sevens. Rugby Sevens was recently added back
into the Olympic Games for 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
Duration: Traditional rugby with 15 players on each side consists of 30 minute halves and a 5 minute half time.
Field: Rugby is played on a field not exceeding 100 meters in length and 70 meters wide.
Passing: The rugby ball can only be passed laterally or backwards. There are no forward passes in rugby. If a
forward pass is made it is an infringement of the rules and results in a scrum awarded to the other team.
Tackling: Rugby is a continuous, contact sport. What this means is that once a tackle is made, play continues.
A tackle occurs when the ball carrier is taken to the ground by a member of the opposition. Once tackled, a ball
carrier must release the ball. Once a player makes a tackle, he/she must roll away from the play.
Ruck: Once a player is tackled to the ground, a ruck is formed when one or more players from each team close
around the ball. The ball then emerges and play continues.
Maul: When the ball carrier is held up by a member of the opposition and by a member on his own team, it is
called a maul. The ball can either be removed from the maul or taken to the ground, which then forms a ruck.
Scrum: A scrum is used to restart play after a minor infringement occurs (i.e. forward pass). The scrum consists
of eight of the 15 players, called forwards. These eight players bind together and come head to head with the
eight players of the opposition. The ball is thrown into the middle of the scrum on the ground and the players
work with their feet to hook the ball behind them, making it available to play. The ball is then collected by the
scrumhalf and passed out to the back line.
Lineout: When the ball goes out of bounds, play is restarted with a lineout. Two lines are formed with
opposing teams. The ball is thrown in the air in the tunnel between the lines. Teams will lift players to contest
for the ball.
9
BEYOND YOUTH RUGBY
HIGH SCHOOL
Carmel High School has club rugby teams for both boys and girls. The boys team has won three State
Championships (1997, 1999 and 2017) and the girls team won the state title in 2001 and were runners up in
2010. Learn more at www.carmelrugby.net.
There are currently twenty-nine (29) high school boys and fourteen (14) high school girls rugby teams in
Indiana. There are two divisions for boys (Super League, Division I) and two divisions for girls (Super League,
Division I). Indiana has one of the largest numbers of youth and high school rugby clubs in the USA.
COLLEGE
Nationwide, over 450 colleges offer men’s rugby and over 300 offer women’s rugby. Ten colleges and
universities in the state of Indiana offer club programs:
• Ball State University
• Marian University
• Bethel College
• Indiana State University
• Indiana University (D1A Big Ten)
• IUPUI
• Purdue University (D1A Big Ten)
• Taylor University
• University of Notre Dame - (D1A Independent)
• University of Southern Indiana
• Wabash College
The D1A Rugby Union is for certain colleges and universities
based on higher ability and skill. Division IA is an elite collegiate
rugby competition sanctioned and administered by USA Rugby.
The conference-based league features 37 elite men’s college
rugby teams competing in six conferences: Allied Rugby, Big
Ten, California, East, Mid-South, West, and one independent
team.
OLYMPICS
Rugby was reintroduced into the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016. The version played for men and women in
the Olympics is Rugby Sevens, which is a higher scoring, more wide-open version of rugby played with seven
players on on the field for each team.
PROFESSIONAL
There are many international professional rugby leagues worldwide. A new American professional league,
Major League Rugby, began play in 2018 and has expanded to 13 teams for the 2021 season.
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