West Hartford Black Hearts High School Rugby
Get off the Bench and Get in the GAME!
Welcome
Welcome to WestHartfordRugby.com home of the Black Hearts U-19 rugby club. The club is open to high school boys ages 14 to 19. No experience is necessary. We play other high schools from around the state in a season that begins in early March and culminates with the CT High School Rugby Championship in June.
We encourage anyone who might be interested to come to a practice or game to check it out without any obligation.
Our mission is to provide high school youth of West Hartford with the opportunity to:
• Develop an understanding of the game of rugby through active participation
• Develop the skills to continue play beyond the high school age level
• Develop life skills such as: teamwork, leadership and accountability
• Learn and compete in a safe and fun environment
The Season
The club is run by trained coaches who receive certification through USA Rugby. Practices are normally held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:45pm at Sterling Field, located on Flatbush Avenue in West Hartford.
Earlier in the season we will practice at different times
subject to the availability of gym space and turf fields in town. Games are typically played on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Certified Referees and Trainers monitor all games.
West Hartford Black Hearts - To Do List
The Basics
This list of items must be completed prior to the first practice:
- Join or renew your membership to USA Rugby via registration - print two copies, one for your records and one for the club records. Membership is good for one year. For 2022 the player cost is $36.40. Be sure to have parent with you when completing the USA Rugby registration process.
For New Players select Join USA Rugby and follow instructions
For Returning Players select Login - have your username and password ready
- Complete Club Waiver Form & COVID19 Waiver - print two copies of each, one for your records and one for the club records. This must be signed by a parent or guardian.
- Bring copies of both the above forms to the first practice - players will not be allowed to practice until both forms are submitted
- Pay Club Dues of $150 - bring check made payable to West Hartford Rugby to the first practice or make other arrangements with the coaches
- Prospective players are welcome to participate in some practices before registering as long as the Club Waiver form is completed. We encourage anyone who might be interested to come to a practice or game to check it out.
The following equipment is required, please bring these items to each practice:
- Mouth Guard (buy 3 you will lose 1 or 2 over the season) example rugby mouth piece, another
- Sneakers - if practicing indoors or in parking lot
- Cleats (non-football, no front toe stud) - soccer cleats are good
- BLACK Rugby Shorts example1 example 2
- Sturdy Practice Jersey and T-Shirt
- Water Bottle
- Black Hearts Team Store
We look forward to seeing you on the pitch!
Club History
The West Hartford Black Hearts Rugby Club was formed in the fall of 2010. A presentation was made to the Town of West Hartford All Sports Council, planting the seed to form a U-19 youth rugby team. A follow-up presentation resulted in an unanimous vote to include rugby for West Hartford’s youth.
In the Spring of 2011 two parent/player informational meetings were held to promote interest in the club. Despite the fact that fields were not yet available nine prospective players showed up to the first ever Black Hearts practice.
After a few false starts due to inclement weather, rain and snow, in April 2011 the team was able to practice on the pitch for the first time.
The focus of those early practice sessions was to learn the fundamentals of rugby with a goal of playing a regular high school spring rugby schedule. In June 2011, the Black Hearts played their inaugural match against Simsbury.
During the Spring of 2012 the Black Hearts accomplished their goal, playing a regular high school rugby schedule, finishing the season with a record of 3-3-1. On May 27, 2012 the Black Hearts competed, for the first time, in the Connecticut State High School rugby tournament, held at the Surf Club in Madison, CT.
Further club history was made on June 5, 2012 when the Black Hearts hosted Simsbury B in their first ever home match. Over 150 spectators showed up to see both teams leave it all on the pitch, as the Black Hearts scored a hard fought 39 to 17 victory.
Rugby Links
For more information about rugby or to learn some of the basics of the game, please visit the following links:
- USA Rugby (homepage)
- Rugby Dump
- Rugby for Dummies
- Wes Clark Rugby Positions
- New Zealand Rugby Resources Positions
- Rugby 101 Video
- Wikipedia Rugby
Interested in Black Hearts team merchandise or other rugby equipment:
Local Rugby
Ages 6 - 14 Boys and Girls Flag Rugby
Connecticut’s Premier over 35’s Rugby Club
Hartford Connecticut Men’s Club
Hartford Connecticut Women's Club
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