Rugby in LA: It Exists and It Builds Character
A unique partnership between After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles (ASAS-LA) and Play Rugby USA brings rugby to inner city kids.
By Amy Sommer | June 01, 2011
Since 2002, After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles (ASAS-LA) has partnered with the Los Angeles Unified School District, Montebello’s School District, and charter school groups to bring fitness and nutrition based extracurricular programs to inner-city communities in Los Angeles and environs. ASAS-LA currently serves some 11,000 students at 25 schools throughout our county.
Surprisingly enough, one of its more popular programs is rugby. Yes, rugby, that hybrid of soccer and football where players can touch the ball with their hands but don’t wear pounds of padding, this sport is wildly popular… everywhere but the USA even though we were the last to win a gold medal in the sport… back in 1920s when it was still a part of Olympic competition.
But, never fear, rugby is making a comeback stateside thanks to the partnership between ASAS-L
A, LA84 Foundation and Play Rugby USA, whose mission is to “develop youth through rugby”, who jointly run programs at ten area schools. Through the support from the LA84 Foundation, rugby has been offered to approximately 100 students per season.
“The Los Angeles rugby programs are a big hit with the students involved,” says Mark Griffin, President Play Rugby USA. Adds Ana Campos, President and Executive Director of ASAS-LA, “the program is at 10 schools so far; when youths find something they are passionate about, it is important that our organization enables them to stick with it so that they continue to thrive.”
For more information about ASAS-LA:
www.la-allstars.orgFor more about Play Rugby USA:
www.playrugbyusa.com
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