Unpadded bodies smashing into each other, players sliding across mud, cleats slinging up grass and an oddly shaped ball flying in the air. Some compare it to football, others soccer, but the Spartan Rugby Team players can contest that it is own individual sport.
Most Americans have never seen a rugby match, and in most cases, all they know is that “it’s basically football but with no pads.” The sport has a long history mainly originating in England and its colonies; America’s most popular sport, football, can be traced back to rugby. The sport’s obscurity might be why some Spartans are surprised to hear that White Station High has a rugby team.
The Rugby team has existed as a club since the early 2000s. As it is a club, it is not directly affiliated or funded by the school, though most players on the team attend White Station.
“Our shirts say Memphis Spartans,” Rocco Milton (11) said. “But we are a club for the school.”
The team does not have official captains, but the coaches usually send the leaders of the team to meet the refs before matches. The leaders have the most experience on the team and recruit players. Usually, they’ll bring their friends to come play with them.
“We built this team off of straight friendship,” Keegan Manors (11) said. “Most of the friends have no clue what the sport is and we brought them into it.”
A portion of the team consists of new, inexperienced players, so it is the role of the veterans to guide and teach the new players. They make sure to include and create bonds with the recruits.
“The team is very welcoming,” Terry Morris (11) said. “Everyone is chill and patient with each other.”
One of the team’s greatest strengths is their ability to work together. Rugby at its fundamentals is a team sport, so players must have the support of their teammates and support them back. The friendships they build through the team allow for better communication and understanding on the field.
“[Rugby] creates a brotherhood,” Milton said. “A brotherhood that can’t be broken once you join the team.”
Spartan rugby players go out of their way to spend time with each other. Outside of practice, they hold “touch sessions,” a scrimmage but with touches instead of tackles.These are not required by the coaches but simply an exercise to grow friendships and develop skill.
“As a group we try to get out outside of practice,” Milton said. “We practice by ourselves and it makes our chemistry better.”
They are currently in their sevens season and have made it to state in Henderson. Rugby has two forms of play: sevens, which is 7v7 players on the field and fifteens which is 15v15 on the field. The forms of play are different, but the players put in the practice to make sure they are able to play each at their best.
“A lot of the team has been putting in more time in,” Harris said. “The coaches are doing well preparing us for state.”
For many players, the Spartan Rugby team is an escape from other parts of their lives or something to do to build themselves as people. The connections created through this team are essential for some.
“[Rugby] can guide people in the right direction,” Milton said. “People who might not have other opportunities.”