New Player Orientation
Saturday Jan 26th 2013, 2-4pm Magnusson Park, Social at the Cuff to follow,
The Quake is recruiting for new players all people regardless of past rugby or sports experience are encourage to come learn a bit about rugby. The Quake has two sides so there is a place for everyone to play. Rugby is one of the most popular sports in the World come and find out why!!! The NPO will take place regardless of weather conditions so dress in layers. After the NPO we will have a rugby drink up with beer and food at one of our sponsor bars (drink up location to be provided at NPO). Any questions please contact the Membership Director, Mike Farris (mike_farris@yahoo.com). NPO will be on the Rugby Pitch – Field #5
Email: join@quakerugby.org for info. See below for some frequently asked questions and good information for those looking to start playing with the Quake.
So, what’s rugby all about?
Rugby is a fast paced, exciting game–if you haven’t seen a match or played before, download our Rookie Primer (300KB,Adobe Acrobat Reader needed).
What should I expect?
Our weekday practices run 1-1/2 hours. Saturday practice is 2 hours and 15 minutes. Our coordinating coach determines what each particular session will entail so it’s not often the same routine from week to week. You should expect to see plenty of ball-handling, kicking, running, drills aimed at maneuverability and speed. And, of course, scrums and lineouts, which are the set pieces that seem so odd to the uninitiated and are unique to rugby. You will not be tackled, shoved, pushed, tripped, gouged with cleats or otherwise molested…right off the bat. That comes later.
What should I wear?
Most of us wear shorts regardless of the cold but sweatpants are an acceptable option for first-timers. Add running shoes (or your old cleats if you have them) and a t-shirt or sweatshirt, depending on the temperature, and you’re ready to go. A tracksuit is also a good addition for inactive periods with wind. Please don’t wear anything that you wouldn’t want grass-stained or splattered with mud. Once you become a member you’ll need to purchase rugby boots, black rugby shorts and a mouth guard. The club supplies players with jerseys and socks.
Social Aspects of Rugby
You may have noticed that we refer to our team as a ‘club’. That’s because, besides being a traditional designation, it is a club complete with all the social activity that term implies. After every match the opposing teams meet for a ‘drinkup’ with food, beer and song. We also sponsor several non-match social events during the year. These include fundraisers or just informal get-togethers. Our club includes members who’ve never stepped onto a pitch, people who volunteer their services in any number of ways, and people who just love the sport of rugby football. No other team sport has quite the same spirit of camaraderie.
Anything else I should know?
In the United States the sport of rugby union football is overseen by USARugby, and to play competitivelyin any local rugby union (league) you must be a member of USARugby.The club takes care of the application process and the fees–that’s what your dues are for! In addition, you will be requiredto have proof of health insurance coverage.
Membership in Seattle Quake Rugby
Seattle Quake RFC always welcomes new members!
Union Members
A Union Player is defined as a player who will practice with the club and play in any of the Union Matches. Union Matches include all Friendly and Division Matches under PNRFU (the Pacific Northwest Rugby Football Union) and USA Rugby, as well as any national or international tournaments, including Bingham Cup, Magnitude 15′s, and/or Summer 7′s.
Union Players are required to:
- Be current with dues payment
- A member in good standing according to club bylaws
- Have a signed waiver on file with the club
- Have current health insurance
- Be registered with USA Rugby through the CIPP Process
Dues for Union Players will be $108 per year or $9 per month through subscription at PayPal.
Effective this season, these dues will not include registration with USA Rugby. We separated the USA Rugby Registration fee from the dues to be able to take into consideration our social rugby players and supporters. The fee for USA Rugby Registration will be collected separately and is a pre-requisite for Union Players to play in a Union match. The USA Rugby Registration is a pass-through cost to the club and there will be no markup collected.
USA Rugby registration goes by calendar year and players currently on the roster are covered until December 31. Rookies from this NPO will be required to pay $30 to the Quake to register for USA Rugby prior to any friendly or league match. We will collect for the USA Rugby Registration starting in January for the 2008 Calendar year. The 2007 fee was $65, and will be close to the same for 2008. All players will be required to pay this fee one week prior to our first match. Exceptions will not be made.
What do membership dues pay for?
Our membership dues go to support the general operating needs of the organization. Practice fields cost money, as do match pitches, refs, equipment, and membership recruitment activities. Additionally, playing members must be registered members of PNRFU and USA Rugby before they can take the pitch.
The club receives generous and necessary support from our sponsors and engages in multiple fundraising events throughout the year to help pay operating expenses.
For those in financial circumstances that make paying yearly dues difficult, the Board of Directors can approve abatement of dues on a case-by-case basis.
