Known as a mix of soccer and American football, rugby has blown up from a simple football game in England to a worldwide sport, played in countries like Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and has become well known in the United States and its schools.

“I have my reasons for making this possible,” said Mr. Perkowski, social studies teacher and one of the coaches for U. City’s rugby team. “I’ve talked about it to students in my classes and have seen a peak of interest.”

Since announcing the formation of the team, Perkowski has stressed that he is sponsoring the Rugby Club.

“This is not school sponsored; all the money we make comes out of pocket from my students and me,” said Mr. Perkowski.

And students don’t have a problem with that, most having already paid their dues.

“This is a different type of sport. No pads or equipment to carry around,” said junior Yusef Brown.

The absence of protective equipment means that rugby is a harder hitting sport than American football. Students have already finished getting their paperwork signed and the U. City rugby team has already started practicing for the upcoming season.

“The season doesn’t start till the spring, but guys have started showing real commitment towards the game and the team, so we’re hoping that we’ll go far when we start playing for real,” says junior Jaylyn Dunlap Thompson.

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