When to Start
New players are welcomed at the beginning of both the fall and spring seasons. Fall opens with the traditional fifteens game; spring brings the faster sevens format. Either is a fine place to begin, and coaches expect — and enjoy — teaching the fundamentals from the ground up. Come to the first few practices, meet the team, and try it before you decide.
What the Commitment Looks Like
- Practice roughly four days a week during each season.
- Matches on weekends through both the fall and spring terms.
- No experience required — beginners train alongside veterans and learn the game together.
- No special gear to start — bring athletic clothes, cleats if you have them, and a water bottle.
Learn Before You Go
If you'd like a head start, a short introductory rugby video and a good beginner's primer will walk you through the basic rules and positions. Our own Rugby 101 field guide covers the essentials — tries, scrums, lineouts, and the difference between forwards and backs — and the official beginner's guide from World Rugby is an excellent, friendly starting point.
Why Beginners Thrive
Rugby has a position for every body type and temperament: powerful forwards, quick backs, brave tacklers, and cool-headed decision-makers. Because nearly everyone starts new, there's no assumption that you "should" already know how to play — just a shared project of getting better together. Many players describe their club as the thing that most shaped their college years, and the alumnae network that follows lasts for decades.
Take the First Step
The hardest part is showing up to the first practice. After that, the team takes care of the rest. Read Rugby 101 to get your bearings, check how a season is structured, and come find out why so many people who "were never going to play rugby" never stopped.