Rugby Team Gains Popularity

Gasping for air, dripping with sweat, and clutching water bottles, a group of Rockhurst students relax after a brutal workout. They begin to converse about the weekend, an upcoming test, and who will be on Xbox Live tonight.

A Shawnee Mission East student walks past them. They do not antagonize him or mock his school. Instead they give him a head nod and wave goodbye. The students had just finished a practice with the Kansas City Jr. Blues rugby team.

The Kansas City Jr. Blues, one of Kansas City’s premiere rugby clubs, has been associated with Rockhurst since the Blues’ establishment in 1992.

Rugby resembles football because they are both full contact sports and are played on fields with end zones. The fields are 100 yard long and positions remain similar within each sport.

“The basic objective is to score more points than your opponent,” sophomore Michael O’Laughlin, rugby club player, said. “Just like in football there are end zones [called] ‘tri-zones’, where one has to touch the ball to the ground to score.”.

Students from several Kansas City area high schools play for the Jr. Blues; these schools include Bishop Miege, Shawnee Mission schools, and Spring Hill.

However, the majority of the team contains Rockhurst students.

Rockhurst students have always been the source of talent for the Jr. Blues.

“We have had many Rockhurst boys selected to be on the USA National Teams for international competition and consideration for USA representation.” Mr. Brian O’Laughlin, general manager of the Kansas City Jr. Blues, said.

Rugby is currently not a sport sanctioned by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). Nor is it sponsored through Rockhurst, due to the activity’s club status.

“There is a state wide push to add rugby to the Missouri State High School Athletic Association. Many of the St. Louis teams are part of the movement as well as Jefferson City and many local teams, including Liberty, Park Hill, Lee’s Summit and possibly Blue Springs,” Mr. O’Laughlin said.

The Blues have been practicing throughout the winter and their season begins this spring on March 4.

“We have been practicing hard, twice a week, for the past couple months, but I think its going to pay off,” O’Laughlin said.

Tags Kansas City Jr. Blues Rugby Sports