Welcome, Josh young!

November 14, 2009 by Josh Young

I coach kids. Young adults. The Youth. In America, rugby is small. Its less than small. Rugby doesn’t register with the consciousness of the youth except for negative stereotypes like “crazy” and “dangerous.” Sames goes for the parents, school officials and too often, the general public as well.

Its important for me as a coach, having no direct public access to kids, to communicate with them about rugby in a safe environment. I’m not a teacher or a parent. I don… Continue

Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained. - Marie Curie

How much is too much? I find myself asking that question these days as I slump home, drained from emails sent, ideas created, developed and pursued and the responsibilities that come from wearing multiple hats. Being a rugby coach (bus driver, surrogate parent, friend, planner, disc… Continue

Fellow coaches,

Please:

Allow your players to be creative; let forwards chip and grubber, allow backs behind the back passes.

Be positive. Find a reason to praise that kid who needs it most, and challenge your star to always improve.

Have fun and smile. Yelling and screaming is no way to live life.

Stay innovative. Rugby is our art. Always changing, evolving, bettering. Never stop learning.

Honor the game. Respect yourself, your players, their parents, the sir, the pitch, and most of all,… Continue

“A lion sleeps in the heart of every brave man.”

– Turkish Proverb

I coach the Eastside Lions and this is my first year. I have now seen the team grow from a core of 8 boys playing touch rugby in November, to over 20 kids, 14-19, who enjoy and love the game.

The median age of our club hovers around 15.5, yet we will play several clubs who average 17-18, during our season. We welcome the challenge and opportunity to learn from our opponents and to expect the absolute best out of ourselves.

Ye… Continue