DMACC scores a rugby team
Mitch Holland
Issue date: 9/30/09 Section: Sports/Wellness
DMACC has started a Rugby Club and is looking for "players of all shapes, sizes and colors," said the club's founder.
Jake Willis, a current student at DMACC, started the club this year because he is an avid participant in the sport and wants to share it with others. The club currently has 20 members, most without prior experience.
"Players can learn as they go," said Willis. Practice takes place twice a week with the Des Moines Rugby Club, Tuesdays in Ankeny and Thursdays near Norwalk. And currently the club has matches set up against Central, Grinnell, Iowa Falls and Des Moines Rugby Club.
Willis himself has been playing for five years. "There is nothing like it, if you can't get up for this you need to check your pulse."
Rugby is the leading sport in 180 nations and currently is growing in the United States, according to rugbyleague.com.
Currently DMACC's team is under probation, which every team is in the first year. This is because the Rugby Union is trying to make sure the team is the "real deal," Willis said. To pass this first year it is important to always field a full team and show up to its matches.
DMACC has been willing to back the club financially, Willis said, but players would have to pay part of fee towards the rugby union. The fee is $750 and will be split among the team's members.
Before people can participate they must be "sipped," which means a waiver has been signed. Being sipped allows people to either be hurt or hurt someone and not be sued for it. "Rugby is one of the most physical sports out there," said Willis. "Football is for girls."
Mark Voyer, a participant with the club and current student, said, "I will never go back to soccer, and I love rugby. I wish I would have started earlier."
Members don't need to know anything about the game; each practice helps players grow as players and as people, said Willis.
"Rugby helps people grow as humans, its not a sport it's a culture," he said.
"The game itself isn't just about winning, it's about bonding as people and as opponents." After games there is time to be around everyone involved and hang out, said Willis and Voyer.
DMACC's Rugby Club practices on Tuesdays at 4 pm at the south side entrance of the Ankeny Campus, and Thursday in Martensdale 7 miles south of Norwalk on Highway 28.
"Bonding with the team and other teams is unlike anything else," said Voyer. "No other sport allows you to be physical with someone and then share a beer with them afterwards," said Willis.
For all the women interested in playing rugby, Willis and DMACC are trying to decide if there is enough interest to start a team.
"A women's team would be ideal, it helps with camaraderie and makes our program look that much better," said Willis. Bonding with another team is an ideal situation for rugby players.
For all who want to be involved or for more information they should contact Jake Willis at 641-203-7888 or at jawillis@dmacc.edu.
"Rugby is the best sport of all time period," said Willis.
Jake Willis, a current student at DMACC, started the club this year because he is an avid participant in the sport and wants to share it with others. The club currently has 20 members, most without prior experience.
"Players can learn as they go," said Willis. Practice takes place twice a week with the Des Moines Rugby Club, Tuesdays in Ankeny and Thursdays near Norwalk. And currently the club has matches set up against Central, Grinnell, Iowa Falls and Des Moines Rugby Club.
Willis himself has been playing for five years. "There is nothing like it, if you can't get up for this you need to check your pulse."
Rugby is the leading sport in 180 nations and currently is growing in the United States, according to rugbyleague.com.
Currently DMACC's team is under probation, which every team is in the first year. This is because the Rugby Union is trying to make sure the team is the "real deal," Willis said. To pass this first year it is important to always field a full team and show up to its matches.
DMACC has been willing to back the club financially, Willis said, but players would have to pay part of fee towards the rugby union. The fee is $750 and will be split among the team's members.
Before people can participate they must be "sipped," which means a waiver has been signed. Being sipped allows people to either be hurt or hurt someone and not be sued for it. "Rugby is one of the most physical sports out there," said Willis. "Football is for girls."
Mark Voyer, a participant with the club and current student, said, "I will never go back to soccer, and I love rugby. I wish I would have started earlier."
Members don't need to know anything about the game; each practice helps players grow as players and as people, said Willis.
"Rugby helps people grow as humans, its not a sport it's a culture," he said.
"The game itself isn't just about winning, it's about bonding as people and as opponents." After games there is time to be around everyone involved and hang out, said Willis and Voyer.
DMACC's Rugby Club practices on Tuesdays at 4 pm at the south side entrance of the Ankeny Campus, and Thursday in Martensdale 7 miles south of Norwalk on Highway 28.
"Bonding with the team and other teams is unlike anything else," said Voyer. "No other sport allows you to be physical with someone and then share a beer with them afterwards," said Willis.
For all the women interested in playing rugby, Willis and DMACC are trying to decide if there is enough interest to start a team.
"A women's team would be ideal, it helps with camaraderie and makes our program look that much better," said Willis. Bonding with another team is an ideal situation for rugby players.
For all who want to be involved or for more information they should contact Jake Willis at 641-203-7888 or at jawillis@dmacc.edu.
"Rugby is the best sport of all time period," said Willis.
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