SPRINGDALE -- Springdale Parks and Recreation will hold signups Monday and Wednesday for a new youth rugby league.
All kids in fourth through 12th grades can sign up from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on those two days at Randall Tyson Park, 4303 Watkins Ave. in Springdale.
Teams will be organized for 12 and younger and for players between ages 13 and 18, said Chris Gwin, athletic director for Parks and Recreation.
Boys and girls are invited to play, said Jason Ayers, who will organize, coach and referee youth matches. Ayers coaches the semi-pro men's rugby club the Arkansas Gryphons, which is based in Fayetteville.
Youth rugby is played with seven-member teams instead of the normal 15 players.
Practices and games for players 12 and younger will be no-contact and akin to flag football. Games and practices for teens, which will be broken up into middle school and high school divisions, will be contact, Gwin said.
Practices will be held at 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday at Randall Tyson Park throughout March. Games will be played on Saturdays throughout April, Gwin said.
Everyone who signs up must pay a one-time $50 season fee.
"With that $50, they'll get a jersey, (and) it will pay for their practice field space and the equipment we need for training," Gwin said.
NW News on 02/26/2017