Join Bates Rugby
Prospective rugger?
If you are at all interested in joining Bates Rugby, or even just want to get to learn the rules, reach out! You can be either a current or prospective student at Bates.
“Follow your HEART! For it is your Heart that holds your passion, and it is your passion that drives you to play Rugby!” - David Miller, Bates Rugby Captain, ‘98
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need rugby experience to join?
Nope! The majority of our current team members began playing rugby at Bates. Most students join our team without any prior experience or knowledge of the rugby rulebook, so no worries if you know nothing about rugby. Even if you’ve never played a contact sport before, you can still join!
How does rugby work?
There are two versions of rugby that we play. In general, it’s a dynamic full-contact sport played between two teams of either 15 or 7 players each depending on the version being played. We play 15’s in the fall, and 7’s in the spring. The aim of rugby is to score points by grounding the ball in the opponent's try zone or by kicking the ball between the goalposts. Unlike in American football, forward passes are not allowed, and the ball must be passed backward or sideways. Tackling is a key aspect of the game, with players aiming to stop the ball carrier's progress by tackling them below the shoulders and above the knees. Scrums, rucks, and mauls are formed in various situations to contest possession of the ball, adding strategic depth to the game.
If you want to learn more about the rules, show up to one of our practices! You can also look through the more in-depth rules on the US Rugby website. Both the rules and our practice schedule are linked below.