The Warsaw Area Rugby Club will introduce a Rookie Rugby League this August to help develop the sport at the elementary school level. (Photo courtesy the Warsaw Area Rugby Club)

WARSAW – Looking to help continue Warsaw’s success in the sport of rugby, the Warsaw Area Rugby Club is developing the Rookie Rugby League.

Designed to help introduce the sport to kids in grades two through six, the Rookie Rugby League will start from the beginning and work up. The league will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from Aug. 7-30 at the soccer fields at Madison Elementary School in Warsaw. The cost of $25 includes a T-shirt. Each night will last an hour from 5-6 p.m. except the final night of the league, which will run from 5-6:30 p.m. and will exclusively scrimmage.

“We’ve seen rookie leagues start up in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis and do well, so we’re wanting to do that here,” said Jacob Crone, one of the league founders. Crone, who helps with the Warsaw middle school rugby program, will lead the league along with help with some of the other Warsaw middle school rugby coaches. “We’re trying to grow our program with the goal to introduce them to rugby so when they get to the middle school level, they are ahead of the curve.”

The league will focus on core fundamentals, from passing and running to terminology. Each night will feature teaching sessions and practice time, leading up to the final day where there will be a full intra-squad scrimmage.

Warsaw’s high school programs have seen several seasons of success, especially the girls side, which has won two state titles (2005, 2016) and two runner-up finishes (2013, 2014) as well as a host of national placings.

The rookie league is based in Warsaw, but like the older clubs, is not resigned to just Warsaw Community School Corporation students. The high school outfits have players from multiple school corporations, and Crone noted the rookie league will accept any child regardless of their hometown.

For more information, visit the Warsaw Rugby Facebook page or find state information on Warsaw via the Rugby Indiana web site.