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Uploaded: Thursday, November 15, 2012, 1:10 PM
Rugby league is still kicking
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by Nick Veronin
Mountain View Voice Staff
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| In an effort to increase the visibility of the sport he loves so much, the co-founder of the locally based American Youth Rugby Union has declared this week -- Nov. 11 through Nov. 18 -- to be the inaugural "Rugby Week."
Mountain View resident and AYRU co-founder Paul Lynch said he has been working hard to build his league into a top-notch organization since he and fellow rugby enthusiast Tom Trill established the league in 2009.
"AYRU aims to be the leading movement in the rapidly expanding world of youth rugby," Lynch said in a statement. "We have initiated the inaugural rugby week in our locality to raise awareness of the benefits of the sport of rugby for our youth."
Over the course of the week, AYRU has hosted several free rugby events in order to introduce the community to the sport, which is often described as a combination between American-style football and soccer.
From day to day, the AYRU events were held at different schools across Mountain View, including Huff Elementary School, the German International School of Silicon Valley and Graham Middle School. Prizes were awarded to individuals for completing challenges, such as solving clues that led them to a hidden "golden rugby ball," or kicking a rugby ball a given distance into a plastic bin.
Lynch is originally from Belfast, Ireland, where he grew up playing rugby. The sport isn't as popular in the United States as it is in his homeland, but that doesn't mean it can't be more popular than it has been, he said. Since founding the league, he has worked hard to increase participation.
Lynch has established one local rugby club, the Mountain View Bobcats, which allows children of a variety of age groups to play against other rugby teams in the Bay Area. He aims to start another club in Sunnyvale in 2013.
More information on the AYRU can be found at ayru.net or by contacting Lynch at paul@ayru.net.Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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| Comments
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Posted by David M, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Nov 15, 2012 at 2:25 pm Rugby Union is a different game than Rugby League, so the headline and references in the story are incorrect. The headline should be "Rugby union is still kicking."
Nearly any rugby being played in the US is likely to be union rather than league.
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Posted by rob, a resident of another community, on Nov 15, 2012 at 2:43 pm League is the faster tougher code, google State of Origin Rugby League to see the hardest "Rugby" Matches on the Planet. League produces the better, more skillful athletes. Union is ok but a bit too stop start and is a slower game with the ball in play for less time and too much kicking.
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Posted by @ schools, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Nov 15, 2012 at 4:21 pm Would have been nice if we had known that it would cost the kids $1 to participate at the schools. I would have told my child to bring a dollar. He was disappointed that he could not participate after we read about it the other day.
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Posted by M, a resident of another community, on Nov 15, 2012 at 4:27 pm Rugby Union is the sport for bankers, rich boys, and idiots. Play a proper game for real people. Play League.
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Posted by Paul Lynch, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Nov 15, 2012 at 6:50 pm Dear @ schools - the school events this week were all free.
Please bring your child along to the Open Day on Sunday at Huff Elementary School between 2 and 4 pm .......its free too!!
Kind Regards
www.ayru.net
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Posted by Kathleen Hal, a resident of the Sylvan Park neighborhood, on Nov 16, 2012 at 2:52 pm Re: Comments on league vs union.
I could be wrong but it seems obvious that the headline was referring to 'league' as it is used to describe an association of teams or clubs (ie Little League). This 'league' is not for 'bankers or rich boys', it is promoting rugby to local youth (getting them outdoors, learning about teamwork, getting them offline for a few hours). Whether it is Union or League, who cares? Enough with the nitpicking and snarky comments and show some support. I am sure volunteers with rugby experience would be welcomed.
PS How about being brave enough to use your real name on a post?
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Posted by Paul Lynch , a resident of the Martens-Carmelita neighborhood, on Nov 19, 2012 at 9:11 pm We had a great turn out yesterday for the second and last Open Day before the season begins next Sunday 25th. Thank you to all the parents who turned out to experience the fun that the game of Rugby can provide when it is properly coached by a responsible youth sports organization.
M - the American Youth Rugby Union is definitely not for bankers, rich boys or idiots. Our registration fees are similar to AYSO and we offer numerous scholarships.
Rugby Union is one of the fastest growing sports in the US and is now part of the Olympic movement - with a bit of luck and the support of the community we may produce a gold medal winner right here in Mountain View!
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