High School Rugby Thrives on Peninsula

As part of the Hampton Roads Conference (HRC), high school rugby is alive and well in Newport News and Hampton. Now in its sixth year, the league, which is not sponsored by either city’s athletic department or the Virginia High School League, has grown into part of Rugby Virginia, which bills itself as the primary development vehicle for youth and high school rugby within the state of Virginia. Currently, there are six boys and three girls teams on the Peninsula competing for the right to represent the HRC against two of the twelve teams playing in the North League, which represents teams from as far west as Winchester, Culpeper, Loudoun and Fairfax counties, as well as the city of Alexandria.

At the end of March, the Hampton teams have the edge in both leagues, with the Hampton High squads leading both the boys (2-0-1) and girls (2-0) divisions.

The season starts in early march with the Tidewater Tournament which helps to determine the pre-season rankings. A round-robin schedule is followed by playoffs and the top two teams qualify for the state tournament. In last year’s tournament, Northern Virginia teams took both titles, as the Fairfax Police Youth Club (FPYC) won the girls crown, while the Fort Hunt Warriors nipped the Hampton Heat 8-5 to win the Virginia State Rugby boys championship.

In fact, on the Peninsula, only the Menchville boys team, currently coached by Mitch Avent, has won a state championship, with the 2009 team going undefeated.

The season concludes with a regional All-Star game. Last year’s game was held at Founders Field in Pittsburgh, PA.

This year’s Menchville team is having a harder time, starting off 0-3. But, according to forwards coach Russ Komynarets, the team record doesn’t reflect the benefits gained from playing rugby.

“We teach kids how to become champions, but more importantly how to do things the right way. It’s not always about wins and losses.”

Current Standings

Boys

Hampton     2-0-1

Bethel          2-1

Buckroe       2-1

Heritage       1-1-1

Denbigh       1-2

Menchville   0-3

Girls

Hampton      2-0

Menchville  1-1

Lady Canes 0-2

For more information, visit the state rugby site at rugbyvirginia.org.