USA Club News

With a fine disregard to the football (soccer) rules of the day, a young man picks up the ball and runs it down field placing it over the line.  The referee catches up with him and says “nice try,” and that’s how the sport of rugby was born at the Rugby school in England in 1823. 

Since that day rugby has grown worldwide into a dynamic team sport of running and kicking to advance a ball to the opponents try line.  A score in rugby is made when the ball is grounded in the try zone, a touchdown.  The Try as it is called is worth five points. 

CLICK HERE to check out the photo gallery from rugby field of Iraq.

“You earn no points for being across the line; you must place the ball down under control,” said TSgt Bryan Hinton.  “That first ref coined the term with his initial remark.” 

Gotta Try has been the rallying call behind the revival of rugby played here on Joint Base Balad (JBB), formerly known as Camp Anaconda. . 

“When I got here in January the team had scattered with no real organization.  I quickly got posters up, and started working through proper channels to get the word out to the base,” Hinton says.

Records show, rugby has been played at this location since 2005.  A search of the public site shows an ad in the newspaper for rugby in Feb 2006.  There’s even a news story from 3rd Corp PA written in March 06 on the web.

The weekly rugby gatherings serve as a stress reliever and to elevate fitness, according to Hinton. 

“We warm up, and cover basic rules of play for the benefit of those who have never played the game.  We put a lot of emphases on covering the modes of play, a big part of what we are doing here is growing the sport by teaching.”

Although here on JBB we play a touch version of the game, we always cover what to expect from a full action game once they leave Balad. 

“My hope is they have fun playing here, and will find a club when they get home,” Hinton chimed in. 

After the warm ups and drills those wanting to play divide into teams.  The ball is advanced through running and kicking, and turnovers are the result of mistakes.  “If the ball is knocked on, or goes out of bounds, we give it to the other team,” Hinton adds.  Through a series of lateral passes the team advances the ball to the other in goal. 

Endurance, skill, and teamwork are at the core of the rugby experience.  Points are awarded to the swift, and the smart.  Strategy plays a big part in playing to your opponent’s weakness. 

“It’s all about heart,” Hinton says.  “Tenacity and intestinal fortitude can be summed up by that word HEART.” 

Rugby is an 80 minute game divided into two halves of continuous play.  Hits are traded, tackles are made, and balls are won and lost.  The team who gets up every time it’s knocked down will win.  The individual who does not find his feet, or is left on their own, will lose. 

Many competencies of today’s military are personified in the sport of rugby.  Fit to fight, warrior ethos, and wingman or battle buddy are a few qualities we bolster.  Hinton who coaches rugby for the men and women of Shaw AFB, SC had Sentry and Avenger put across the shoulders of the Shaw jerseys.  “That line of the Airmen’s Creed really spoke to the characteristics of the teammates I hope to take into battle,” coach said. 

The St. Crispin's Day Speech from Henry V accurately sums up the bond between warriors that aptly applies to rugby players as well.

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother

It goes a long way in describing the friendships made in rugby.  There is a tremendous social aspect in rugby, a mutual respect that will follow you worldwide.  Our goal here is to make friends the world over, and enjoy our time here at Balad. 

Many units are represented now on the team, as well as civilians.  All are welcome, regardless of skill or knowledge.  Rugby is played each Sunday on Killeen field starting at 0800.