To hear any rugger (rugby player) tell it, once you play the game, it’s in your blood forever. Waylon Sanford began playing while at Michigan State University and his group, which he refers to as the “old boys,” reunited a few years after leaving college and settling in to adult life. What started out as a recreational group that got together for pickup games and just-for-fun weekend tournaments has suddenly turned serious.
Every Wednesday afternoon, players of various skills levels gather at St. Joseph Park in Lansing for a rigorous practice where experienced ruggers teach newbies the rules of the game. To the average person who hasn’t seen much organized rugby, the game may appear to be an odd mix of American football and soccer.
Aside from headgear (mainly intended to prevent ear damage), no padding or any sort is worn by ruggers. During games, players will be running at a full sprint, then suddenly pass the ball underhand and backward to a teammate, who may either continue sprinting or punt the ball down the field while in that sprint.
Over the last year, the team has been participating in various tournaments around Michigan, including the Snowball tournament held each winter in Kalamazoo and the Meijer State Games. They have also played friendly matches against the Flint Rogues, Battle Creek Griffins and Grand Rapids Gazelles, among others
This fall, Sanford is hoping to take his group, now known as
Capital Area Crisis Rugby Football Club, to the next level of rugby. The team is planning to join Division IV of USA Rugby and begin competing against teams from across the Midwest. Sanford sought help from the
Team Lansing Foundation and the
Greater Lansing Sports Authority to make that happen.
“The GLSA has helped with strategic planning. We are currently working with them to develop youth rugby camps for summer 2015 and to bring regional tournaments to the Capital area, explained Sanford. “Team Lansing has helped with funding for our field development. Both of the organizations, along with the city’s parks department, have been great to work.”
Mike Price, executive director of the GLSA, said he was excited when the guys from Crisis RFC approached him for help because rugby provides a brand outlet for local athletes as well as economic development opportunities for the region as a whole.
“Our focus is on tracking and supporting events that create an opportunity for local athletes and have a positive economic impact in the Lansing area,” says Price, who hopes to eventually work with USA Rugby to bring a variety of tournaments to the Capital region.
Sanford says that the team has locked down sponsors including
El Jimador Tequila, Kalamazoo-based
Arcadia Brewing Company and East Lansing’s
Harrison Roadhouse.
Some might question Lansing’s ability to sustain a team that participates in a relatively obscure sport, but USA Rugby’s Director of Club Development says that a town Lansing’s size is suited perfectly for a rugby club.
“There are numerous cities around the country of about 100,000 that are home to vibrant and successful rugby clubs,” says Jim Snyder. “The nice part about a rugby club in a city of that size is that they can really by highly visible in the community.”
Snyder added that at USA Rugby is “excited to see the formation of a strong club in Lansing to contribute to a vibrant sports landscape in the city.”
Sanford said that Crisis RFC is growing steadily, continuing to recruit new players and hoping to grow their fan base in the Capital City. But that doesn’t mean they don’t want to win.
“Our focus this year is to develop a core group of skilled players and bring a Midwest Championship to Lansing.”
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Kevin Duffy is a freelance writer for Capital Gains.
Photos ©
Dave Trumpie
Dave Trumpie is the managing photographer for Capital Gains. He is a freelance photographer and owner of
Trumpie Photography.
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