CobraFist

and

Sharkbites

U-19, U-16 & Youth 8+

Est. 2009

A Division of NAZRugby

(Serving all your rugby needs in Northern Arizona)

CobraFist Rugby

All shapes, sizes and genders are welcome, and it is never too late to start. Additionally, all players are encouraged to play multiple sports, https://www.uplifterinc.com/playing-multiple-sports . NAZRugby will work with player schedules to accommodate other sports and things like that. Playing rugby improves performance in mostly every other sport (especially football, wrestling, and soccer)

Coach Buddy Habeck - 43 years of Rugby coaching and playing, 32 years of NFHS Middle and HS coaching, taller than six feet, world traveler, resides in Prescott, Arizona.

Coach Tim Else – born and raised in the South Africa rugby culture/schools, played or coach rugby since birth, now a proud US citizen, Head Coach NAZRugby Youth/HS sides, NAZRugby Supreme Executive Counsel – Youth/HS Representative, current player for LandShark Dinosaurs (NAZRugby Old Boy Side), braai specialist, resides in Flagstaff, AZ.

Coach Kevin Harris - 41 years of Rugby coaching and playing, President of NAZRugby, Assistant Coach NAZRugby Youth/High School, Co-Chair on Committee for a Better Northern Arizona 10s Rugby Tournament & Party, and VIP Member to Fry’s, Safeway and Bashas’, resides in Flagstaff, AZ.

As NAZ Rugby we are all certified by USA Rugby as SafeSport coaches. We currently have Mens, womens, old boy and youth/HS rugby in the Flagstaff area.

Objectives:

To grow the youth/HS base of Rugby in Northern Arizona with collaborative effort from Orme school, to introduce the students and staff of Orme school to Rugby Union, to engage the students/staff in limited rugby skills and drills, some limited rugby games and to socialize.

Offer the students and facility the opportunity to play/volunteer in the Rugby Arizona Union - HS/Youth ( https://www.rugbyarizona.com/home ).

Win an Arizona State Championship for U-19 & U-16.

Expand NAZRugby to Orme School and the greater Prescott region.

Love, live and laugh.

Background:

Rugby union is a contact sport played around the world by people regardless of gender, age or size. It is most popular in Europe and former English and French colonies. It has its own World Cup and is in the Olympics.

In 2023, there were more than 10 million people playing worldwide. In Arizona there are 289 high school players participating and 625 youth players. High school has 9 to 12 clubs, with U-16 & U-19 sides. Youth rugby can be played as a touch or tackle game for any gender; it accommodates all shapes and sizes of athlete. Must be at least 8 years old to play for NAZRugby.

Rugby is often a lifelong passion of participation, enthusiasm, and socialization.

Flagstaff has had a rugby club since 1978.

2024-25 Season:

High School pre- preseason starts with tackle 7s (7 players per side) on Nov. 9, 2024, and ends Nov. 30, 2024. These games are instructional for the uninitiated. The referees actually coach the players and do not hesitate to stop play for safety or to teach. The experienced players also help coach the rookies and it is a relaxed and fun atmosphere. No yelling and lots of patience shown to the players. It is the best way to begin to learn how to play rugby.

Teams are declared on December 16, 2024 (‘declare’ if you have enough players to field a complete side). If a club does not have enough players in an age group the players are combined with another club’s players, to make a full side.

High School 15s (15 players per side) begins with pre-season matches on Jan. 11th and 18th, 2025. These games are taken a little more seriously but learning, safety and getting everyone in rugby shape are the main goals. Once again, referees will stop play and give instruction at will.

Competitive season begins on Jan. 25, the Championship match is on April 26. No rugby is played on March 1st, March 15th and April 19th. There may be weekends when we have a bye.

All players must be registered with USA Rugby ( https://usa.rugby/ ), Rugby Arizona (https://www.rugbyarizona.com/home ) and NAZRugby (https://www.northernarizonarugby.com/ ). All these entities have their hand out for dues as well. The total cost for all dues is under $200. No player will be left behind because they could not cough-up the money. Players can work off the fees. We will also have to pay and host an after-match social at our home game(s) which is pretty much a BBQ. Rugby tradition dictates the home team must host a social for the away team(s) and all spectators, after every match. It’s the best and most important law of rugby.

https://greatfallsrugby.com/documents/how-rugby-makes-better-football-players.pdf.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HihjPApzCg ohio-state-rugby-football-nfl https://www.fieldgulls.com/2017/5/20/15669762/seahawks-pete-carroll-tackling-technique-chris-ash-

For the rules of rugby go to https://www.world.rugby/the-game/laws/home

For how to play guide go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiOpAvEdHQo and https://www.usa.rugby/rugby101/

Rugby is more than just a sport it is also a subculture.

Basics you should know if you wish to participate in this subculture:
The home team is required to host an after match eat and greet (known as the “social”). The away team is required to be good guests. Countless great lifelong friendships have been made at after-match socials between opposing players. Opponents on the pitch and friends off it. Respect for all participants is required.
Respect the referee. Only the Captain of a side is allowed to initiate a conversation with the ref. If a referee initiates a conversation with you, the first and last words out of your mouth should be “sir” or “ma’am”. It is a penalty for anyone (player or spectator) to complain or criticize a referee. In fact, if a person is being rude or criticizing even a player(s) that person can be kicked off premises and/or be called for a penalty. It is always a good idea for spectators to yell “tackle low” or “run straight”.
It is considered bad form to over celebrate a score or phenomenal play, as well as to make noise during a kick for post (Conversion or penalty kick).
It is always appropriate to be lighthearted, joke and laugh. Everyone wants to win but sports aren’t the end-all be-all of life. Rugby players are tough people and most truly tough people do not have to “act” tough or in a rude manner, making for very friendly socialization at rugby events.
Safety is always third in rugby.