The Western Regional Rugby Tournament in Fort Worth, Texas concluded Sunday afternoon with consolation and championship matches. Final matches started early Sunday morning and continued through the mid-afternoon in extreme temperatures.

Teams from several different states traveled to the tournament to see who would earn the opportunity to compete at the national level. Winners from several different divisions will be traveling all over the country to go and test their skills against other top teams from around the nation.

As for the high school division, the top three teams will travel to Utah in three weeks to compete at the national level. Representing the Western conference at Nationals will be Houston St. Thomas, Dallas Jesuit, and Oklahoma’s Jr. Blues who all won their respective pools.

Although rugby is not UIL sanctioned, the sport itself is becoming very popular among high school athletes all over the country. In the past few years, individual high schools such as St. Thomas and Dallas Jesuit as well as specific areas such as Katy, Woodlands, Austin, and several parts of Dallas have formed rugby teams. 

For those who are unfamiliar with this sport, it is one of the most intense, aggressive, and physical sports that I have ever witnessed. Two teams consisting of 15 players (on the playing field) literally pound the heck out of each other for two 30-minute halves with little stoppage time.

Unlike many sports, injuries are not much of a factor unless a player is seriously hurt. Nose bleeds, ankle sprains, and other such injuries are just part of the game and players are expected to keep on playing.

With the sport being so physically demanding, one might think it would be a male only sport. However, they would be wrong. Several lady squads showed up for the event, but they were competing for scouts who were looking for individuals to join rugby all-star squads.

Rugby players set a great example to how athletes should play in their respective sport. As an onlooker, I have never witnessed a sport where teams give every ounce of effort they have from beginning to end no matter the score. A team can be winning or losing by 50 points but they are still giving it their all for nothing but sheer pride and respect.

I encourage everyone (especially football lovers) to give rugby a chance because it is packed with non-stop action and excitement that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire game.

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