On The Field
Respect: One of the most important traditions in playing rugby is that of respect for the referee. This is more than tradition; it is a fundamental and non-negotiable part of rugby that sets itself apart from other sports, and it is expressly mandated by the Laws. No player or coach is ever permitted to criticize or second-guess the referee; this is part of the Laws of the Game, and those who violate it will be penalized.
Very close to this is respect for our teammates and our opponents. Bickering and taunting will not be tolerated, and players who insist upon doing it will find themselves watching from the sidelines.
Second is active support and sportsmanship. We expect our players to compliment each other on a good pass, a good tackle, any kind of positive play. We also expect Fort Hunt Rugby players to compliment opponents—during and after the match—who make good plays.
We expect players not to criticize teammates who make mistakes.
Off The Field
As soon as the match is over, our on-field team and all substitutes will meet on the pitch in a huddle. We will give three cheers for our opposing team, and will give three cheers for the referee, followed by three cheers for ourselves and our effort.
We will then line up to shake the hands of our opponents and the referee. This is automatic and will occur in every match, home or away. All players and coaches will participate.
For every match we will choose our Man of the Match. This is the player who played the best--who was the best all-around Fort Hunt Rugby player--during that match. This is a combination of attitude, support for teammates, respect and sportsmanship, demonstration of skills, application of training in the match, scoring, offense, defense, and general, all-around play. This is not a high-scorer award, although that player can win this award.
We have a temporary traveling trophy that goes to our Man of the Match, to be returned at the next match for the next winner. The Man of the Match decision is made primarily by the coaches, but players have input.
When we host visiting teams, we also choose an opposing Man of the Match, their best all-around player. This decision is made mostly by our players. We have a Fort Hunt Rugby medal which we award to their Man of the Match.
Rugby Mates for Life
In every rugby match, our players should play their hearts out, hitting the opposing team as hard as (legally) possible, giving them no quarter and no slack, showing them exactly what we are made of, but always in physical and emotional control, within the Laws of the Game and within the bounds of sportsmanship.
But, before the game and after, our opponents are our mates, brothers--and sisters--in the lifetime sport of rugby. We will see each other again, for tournaments or travel; on select side teams in the future they very likely will be our teammates. We may play against each other, but we are above all mates in rugby, and are never enemies.
The Rugby Social
When we are the visiting team, it is not unreasonable to expect to be hosted by the home team. This would consist of a communal cooler of water, and after-match food and drink. They might have a local hangout they go to, and we will be invited along. Not all clubs offer this; you will remember the ones who do, the clubs which make you feel like an honored guest. This is the way it should be done, and those are the clubs we like to visit.
When Fort Hunt Rugby hosts visiting teams, we do it right. There will be a cooler of water for everyone to use before, during and after the match. Before the match we both coaches and players will greet our guests, acquaint them with the field, and make them feel welcome.
When the match is over, we will decide upon their man of the match.
As soon as the final match/period is over, after we have cheered them and the referee, all of our players will get food and drink, and will find their opposite number and hand over the goodies to them, thanking them for coming to play us. Every single one the opposing players and their coaches will get food and drink before any of our players do so—this is hosting at its core. Once our guests have been taken care of, only then is it our turn.
We will gather both teams together for the man of the match awards, and we will cheer our Man of the Match, and theirs as well.
If all goes well, we might even sing a song for our guests, and will expect them to reciprocate. A "bat race" might even be in order. Or a "spoon war."
Return to Fort Hunt Rugby home
