Eastside Lions Youth Rugby Club

Practices officially begin on January 3, 2012. U-14, U-16, and U-19 teams will train on Tuesday's and Thursdays from 5 - 7 p.m. at Interlake High School. Despite our impressive final run last year, we are still regarded throughout the older clubs as the underdog. But we know that we have the potential to be the surprise team this year. We have an exciting year ahead, full of promise, and our expectations are nothing less than State Champions at each level - running the board!

Please remember to bring water and mouthguard(s), and your buddies or classmates who have not yet expreienced the greatest sport in the history of the world ever. Also, please remember that you are required to wear a rugby jersey and shorts to practice. If you do not already have a practice jersey, we may have some spare or donated jerseys you can train in until you can get your own. Relatively inexpensive practice shorts and jerseys can also be purchased at www.Worldrugbyshop.com.

This season we will be carrying two (2) U-19 teams. Because the league has formed two divisions - Division I and Division II - we will enter a team in each division. We are the only club in Washington that can boast numbers sufficient to field two complete teams and compete in both divisions. And the opportunity makes us a stronger club, now and in the future. It also ensures the all of our athletes will have quality playing time and a chance to compete for a state title.

The Division II team is a developemental side. It is not a relegation. The Division II team will be created mostly with sophomores and juniors. The Division II team will have the same expectations as the Division I team in terms of following our system, fitness, discipline, skill, quality of play, team mentality, and State Championship. Keeping you all playing as much as possible will ensure that our Division I teams in the future are that much more prepared and dominant than our competition each year going forward.

Attendance at training is mandatory. Attendance, fitness, work and effort at practice are all significant factors when the coaches select starting sides. Bear in mind that as this club has grown, we expect complete commitment to your team and mates. Ruggers are necessarily a family, and you should treat it that way. We are available for each other on and off the field, but you can only support your teammates on the pitch if you have been training and working hard at practice. If, however, you are participating in another sport at the outset of the season, you may speak with either Coach Young or Coach Nourse regarding a waiver. But in general, participation in this club should be your primary sport and should treated with no less effort, commitment and aplomb as any other sport at your various schools/clubs/leagues.

We are very nearly the premier club in the Pacific Northwest. Be proud of what you have helped create.

Go Lions!