Rugby NY Brings Non-Contact Rugby to New York Schools

Rugby NY, a YHS State Youth Rugby Organization, has made significant strides in introducing non-contact rugby to physical education (PE) classes across New York. Their efforts, bolstered by a partnership with Imagine Rugby, have led to an ongoing success story of school outreach and sport integration.

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Initially, Rugby NY visited schools to promote the inclusion of rugby in PE curricula. However, these early efforts faced challenges: schools lacked necessary resources, and teachers were hesitant to introduce an unfamiliar sport. This changed dramatically with the involvement of Imagine Rugby, which has played a crucial role in addressing these challenges.

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Imagine Rugby's contribution has been multifaceted, providing essential equipment like rugby balls and flag belts, along with comprehensive educational materials. This approach equips educators with both the physical tools and knowledge necessary to introduce rugby to their students. The offer of donated equipment has notably increased PE teachers' receptivity to school visits and rugby demonstrations.

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During these visits, Rugby NY distributes Imagine Rugby's educational resources, including skill and game cards aligned with New York State PE standards. These user-friendly materials empower teachers to confidently integrate rugby into their existing PE curricula, ensuring sustainable implementation of the sport in schools.

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The impact of these efforts has been substantial. In the past year alone, Rugby NY has visited over 30 schools and scheduled more than 25 school and community center visits for the coming year. This translates to introducing rugby to approximately 25,000 young people. Additionally, Imagine Rugby provides PE teachers with connections to local youth teams, further extending the sport's reach beyond the classroom.

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Rugby NY's engagement strategy involves connecting with PE teachers through their professional organizations, particularly the New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. They attend and present demonstrations at the annual statewide conference and participate in as many of the 10 zone conferences as possible. At these events, they collect contact information and follow up immediately to schedule school visits.

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The success of Rugby NY's outreach is driven by a dedicated team of individuals across the state. In Buffalo, Lisa Henrich and Glenn Nenoff lead the charge, while Mike Hodgins covers Rochester. Rob Sliwinski and John Durant handle efforts in Albany, and Matt Persanis, Tim Downey, Luke Persanis, and Yohendy Martinez cover the New York City area. Their efforts have led to additional connections through word-of-mouth recommendations from educators.

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Rugby NY extends its gratitude to Imagine Rugby, Major League Rugby, and USA Youth and High School Rugby for sponsoring these efforts. The resources provided by these sponsors have been instrumental in enabling Rugby NY to schedule numerous school visits and expand the reach of rugby across New York State.

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Through strategic partnerships and dedicated outreach, Rugby NY has made significant progress in bringing non-contact rugby to schools across New York. As the program continues to grow, it promises to introduce more young people to the sport, fostering a new generation of rugby enthusiasts and players. The success of this initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration between sports organizations and educational institutions in promoting physical activity and introducing new sports to young people.

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