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Oulu Rugby Club welcomes everyone to come and try out and start a new hobby! Our minimum age is 15 years. Even younger individuals can start with us, but full contact training and playing will commence later.
Rugby is a fast-paced, constantly growing contact sport in which teams try to get the game ball into the opponent’s goal area. The ball is carried in the hands, and passing to another player is only allowed backward. The ball can also move forward on the field, but then it must be kicked in that direction. The sport also includes game events involving contacts, such as stopping the player carrying the ball by tackling, scrum starts, and ruck situations. The size of a rugby field is very close to that of a football field.
Rugby is often compared to American football, but in the end, the sports are very different from each other. American football is based on executing different trained game patterns alternately, while rugby is based on playing the ball all the time with the help of a directional game strategy. This makes rugby a much faster and quicker sport with considerably fewer breaks.
Rugby also has the unique feature of its many different positions and their very different roles during the game. The position largely depends on the player’s own physique – a large and strong player is usually a forward, responsible for various contact-demanding game situations, while a smaller player finds their role in the backs, whose main responsibility is carrying the ball with speed and passing. Because of this division, rugby is suitable for players of all sizes and fitness levels.
Source: SRL, Finnish Rugby Union
Rugby is a physical sport that is at its best both extremely rewarding and very physical.
Physical and mental well-being:
Rugby requires speed, strength, endurance, and agility. Few beginners have the perfect physique for rugby. The good thing is that few long-time players have it either. You develop both physically and mentally as a player the longer you engage in the sport. Besides rugby training, hitting the gym may bring new motivation!
Rugby requires mental toughness and strategic thinking. It helps you develop mental toughness, decision-making skills, and the ability to stay focused under pressure. These attributes can be valuable not only on the rugby field but also in many areas of life.
Team and teammates:
Rugby is known for promoting strong team spirit and teamwork. Joining a rugby team provides a supportive and inclusive community where you build strong friendships and work together to achieve common goals. Join the team and immediately gain a large group of new friends who are ready for extreme physical and mental exertion to help you succeed on and off the field.
Character building:
Rugby encourages values such as discipline, respect, and sportsmanship. The sport emphasizes fair play, integrity, and respect for opponents and officials. Playing rugby promotes the development of a strong character and personal responsibility.
Growth opportunities:
Whether you are a beginner in sports or seeking a new challenge, rugby offers opportunities for personal growth and skill development. As you learn the rules, techniques, and strategies of the sport, you can constantly improve and progress in rugby to the national team level or even abroad!
If you are looking for a physical sport that promotes physical fitness, teamwork, mental toughness, and personal growth, rugby is an excellent choice for you.
In the Oulu Rugby Club, training and other activities are planned with the upcoming summer season in mind. The best time for new players to join is in the fall or winter. This is because closer to the season, the focus is often on practicing team coordination and tactics for the already playing teams.
However, you can still start playing rugby at any time. We always welcome new enthusiasts and adjust the level of contact and physicality in training to suit newcomers! The coach can guide new players on when they are ready for full contact both in practice and on the field.
Having a previous sports background, almost from any sport, is beneficial as it facilitates training and speeds up the learning of the game. Currently, among the team players, there is a diverse range of previous sports backgrounds, including combat sports, soccer, ice hockey, crossfit, cricket, and even e-sports!
Typically, individuals join the team under the age of 25, but players with the right motivation can join at any age.
Rugby expenses are divided into four categories: Membership fee, equipment, insurance, and “other activities.”
Membership Fee:
The membership fee covers training for the entire year (field fees), necessary training equipment (balls, pads, etc.), home and away game costs, and fees to the Finnish Rugby Federation (SRL).
The cost structure within the club is very narrow, and all work (coaching, team management, home game cafeterias, etc.) is done on a voluntary basis, out of love for the sport. We aim to keep the membership fee affordable so that participation is not hindered by financial constraints!
The membership fee for 2024 is €150, divided into spring and fall seasons. If you start closer to the fall season, we won’t charge a separate fee for the spring season.
Equipment:
Beginner rugby equipment is usually already available at most homes. Suitable sports shoes, a water bottle, and clothes that may get a bit dirty or torn are sufficient.
Even in the future, equipment costs won’t break the bank. For dedicated rugby play, you’ll need cleats and a mouthguard. At the cheapest, equipment costs are a few tens of euros per year.
Insurance:
Rugby is considered a high-risk sport, and it’s advisable to check the status of your personal accident insurance for rugby activities.
A separate license and accompanying insurance for the playing season depend on the number of games played, but on average, the cost is around €100/month for the playing season (approximately 3 months).
If you only want to train and not play licensed games, you don’t need to acquire a license or licensed insurance.
“Other Activities”:
Social activities are an integral part of rugby. We, for example, gather to watch international games at local establishments, where the most enthusiastic can enjoy refreshments.
The spending on “other activities” can vary, but the most important thing is your participation.
Estimated range: €0-1000 per year.
Practices are always open to new enthusiasts, and you can come anytime to try if the sport suits you. Check the training times on the calendar and join us. You can also inform the team’s communications coordinator in advance that you are coming so we can arrange for an experienced player to explain the basics during the training. The initiation of junior activities has also begun, so people of all ages are welcome to participate.
In rugby, everyone can find a position that matches their skill and fitness level, with the opportunity to progress. Rugby is an internationally popular sport, and in Finland, one can develop and compete at the national team level even in adulthood.
Do I need prior experience in the sport?
In short, no, you don’t need it. If you have experience in any team or contact sport, it will certainly help at the beginning, but it is not mandatory.
How physical is rugby?
Rugby is a contact sport, and bruises may occur. However, a crucial aspect of the sport is respect for opponents, and actions on the field are not intended to cause harm. A rugby tackle may initially seem intense, but when executed correctly, it is a very safe and effective way to stop the ball carrier.
The physicality of rugby could be compared to the more familiar sport of ice hockey in Finland.