Too Big! Too Small!
One of the most critical things I do when working with a family is helping the student identify rugby programs that would be a “good fit.” But what does a “good fit” mean? As the pictures above clearly demonstrate, it is easy to see when clothes or shoes don’t fit, but it cannot be easy to envision whether a collegiate rugby program will work for your athlete’s goals. Below are a few questions I encourage players to consider in determining what program will be a good fit for them. There is no right or wrong answer, but it is important to be honest about what you are looking for in a program. Just like you wouldn’t buy cleats that fit your teammate, you wouldn’t pick a college because that’s where your friends are going!
Time Commitment
How much time are you willing to dedicate to rugby in college? Most high school athletics teams require players to dedicate 5-15 hours per week, including practices, team workouts, and games. College programs range from Social programs (requiring about 8 hours a week), to Competitive programs (10-15 hours/week), to High-Performance programs (anywhere from 20-30 hours+/week).
Other Activities
This is tied to Time Commitment. What other activities are you hoping to participate in while in college? Will you want to work or participate in research opportunities? Or, maybe you want to join a fraternity or sorority. All these extra activities add up to your classes and rugby commitment, so think this through!
Coach Personality/Style
I always encourage players to chat with college coaches as much as possible to understand their goals, philosophies, and coaching styles. Attend one of their games and observe how they treat their players and staff. Is this someone you could learn from? Many have collaborative partnerships with players when making decisions, while others may be more like dictatorships where what he/she says goes. Some are loud, and some are quiet.
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