Like a scene from Animal House, each Saturday around the world these words are belted out by surly “ruggers,” usually with a beer in hand and perhaps donning a few bruises. The image that the sport of rugby has acquired since being adopted into mainstream American culture has been one of an ongoing party of beer, nudity and fraternity. But, this is only the celebration after a long and hard-fought match against a formidable opponent.
Each Saturday, men and women gather onto a rugby pitch to demonstrate their strength, agility and speed and, at the basest level, to belong to something bigger than themselves; in this way, rugby is like religion. To be a good rugby player, one must be competitive, loyal, consistent, hard working and above all else, fearless.
Portland is home to some of the most competitive rugby in the nation. The Portland Rugby Club is the oldest rugby football club in the Portland area and is consistently a force to be reckoned with. Affectionately nicknamed the “Portland Pigs,” the club was started in 1961 and since 2009, has hosted both a men’s and women’s side as well as participating in summer 7’s over the summer.
Oregon Rugby Sports Union, started in 1974 by members of the Portland Rugby Club hosts both DII and DIII men’s teams and DI and DII women’s teams, all sanctioned by USA Rugby. The ORSU women have been ranked in the top ten nationally since 2007 and last spring, the ORSU women’s WPL team—Women’s Premier League—won the national title. The WPL is the most competitive women’s rugby league in the nation and acts as sort of a farm team for the USA Eagles—the highest level of rugby in the country. Many of the women on the ORSU WPL team have either played for the Eagles in the past or are currently being scouted to play at the national level.
Aside from senior level clubs, there are also a number of competitive collegiate rugby teams in the area: Portland State University, Lewis and Clark College and Reed College, just to name a few, all have fantastic programs for both men and women.
In addition to playing full contact rugby, Reed College offers its players a touch rugby team, which is a growing sport in the US. The Portland Hunters Touch Rugby League competes at a national level and is represented by USA Touch, a division of USA Rugby.
There is a growing interest in rugby among Portland’s youth, mostly thanks to organizations like Oregon Rugby http://www.rugbyoregon.com/, whose mission statement reads, “Developing Youth Through Rugby.” Oregon Rugby has historically been extremely active in coaching and developing youth rugby programs at the high school level and even earlier! Youth rugby programs have proven to instill leadership skills both on and off the field and Oregon Rugby has done a tremendous job at promoting the sport here in the Pacific Northwest.
Who plays rugby, then? What sort of person would subject themselves to the grueling practices involving both cardio and strength training only to be brutally pummeled each Saturday on the pitch? The answer to this question is ANYONE and EVERYONE drawn to the sport.
ORSU manager and DII women’s coach Megan Adams says, “Rugby has a position for everyone. Big or small, tall or short, you can play rugby. People always think that only big, strong people can play, but we need people who are small and quick also. The community is amazing and there is nothing like it in other sports. I can travel anywhere in the world and have an instant group of friends and usually a place to stay.”
Whether you are an experienced rugby player or if you are new to the sport, Portland has a place for you to try out the pitch. Megan believes that ORSU’s DII team is a great place for men and women to try their hand at the sport, “…our DII side is an excellent option for newer players to get accustomed to playing higher-level rugby without having to throw them into a premier-level game.” There are plenty of organizations in the Portland area to get involved with if you are new to the sport of rugby or if you are a weathered rugger looking for an exceptional challenge.
Rugby also needs fans! Spectators to the sport can expect an exhilarating experience and there are games all over the Portland area each Saturday! Next time you find yourself looking for something to do outdoors, step onto a rugby pitch and watch the men and women ruggers of Portland in action! After all, Saturday is a rugby day!
ORSU plays at Fuller’s Farm located at:
2565 SW Ek Road
West Linn, OR 97068
Game schedule and practice locations can be linked from the website http://orsu.org/. Make sure you like them on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/orsurugby?ref=br_tf
Portland Rugby Football Club (Portland Pigs): http://www.portlandrugby.org/
https://www.facebook.com/portlandrugby
PRFC Practice Info:
Montavilla Park (NE 82nd & Glisan)
Tues. & Thurs.
DII and DIII Mens @ 7-9pm, DII Women’s @ 6:30-8:30
Portland Hunters Touch Rugby: http://www.touchrugbypdx.org/
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