CobraFist
U14, U-16 & High School
Est. 2009
A Division of NAZRugby
(Serving all your rugby needs in Northern Arizona)
Cobrafist (HS & U16 to U14) and Sharks (U13 and under - must be at least 8YO) practice is every Tuesday & Thursday from 4:00pm to 5:30pm at Puenta de Hohzo Field located at 3401 N Fourth Street
High School & Youth Teams train in Flagstaff but play for the Phoenix Firebirds (unless we get enough kids to form our own side). You cannot find nicer people. Officially, we are on the Firebirds and our players helped the Firebirds win the U16 State Championship last year.
To register to play as a Firebird, click the button below
Most matches are in Phoenix at the Westside Complex.
($5 entrance fee, cash only) Visit: https://phoenixeventcomplex.com/ for more information.
A few games will be in Tucson. Some parents are always willing to transport players down if a kid’s parents can’t make it to the match.
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) 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-
Since we do not have enough kids/warriors to make a full side in any age group we all practice together in Flagstaff but play for the Phoenix Firebirds (A Division of the Phoenix Rugby Club) under the various appropriate age groups, https://www.phoenixrugby.com/youth . If we get enough players in any age group, they will play for NAZRugby and half our matches will be at home, in Flagstaff. In past years we had enough High School boys tough enough to play rugby and formed a full side. Those boys made it to the championship game twice but barely lost both times. We want a championship.
Our rugby overlords are the Arizona Rugby Union aka Rugby Arizona: www.rugbyarizona.com , USA Rugby: www.usa.rugby.com , and World Rugby: www.world.rugby .
The Phoenix Firebirds are a great organization made-up of some of the best people you ever want to meet. Our players register under the Firebird Club. They have a good website with a lot more information and is always updated with the latest greatest news. Registration is around $180 for H/S & U-16, $155 for U-14 (includes USA Rugby’s dues). Go to said Firebird site to register https://www.phoenixrugby.com/firebirdsregistration . Dues include a jersey, shorts, some insurance coverage and socks but you must provide your own mouth guard, cleats and a good attitude.
Winter Season for High School (H/S) and U-16 is from Jan. 15 to April 2, 2022. Semi-finals are on April 9; finals are on April 23. Open weekends are on March 5, 12 and April 16. U-14 season is from Jan. 8 to Feb. 12. Semifinals on Feb. 19 and finals are on Feb. 26. Normally, the U-14 side plays in the morning and U-16 and H/S play Saturday afternoons.
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:
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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.
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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”.
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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).
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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.
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Safety is always third in rugby.
Contact Us
Cobrafist
Head Coach
Kevin Harris
(928) 699–0412
Assistant Coach
Tim Els
(928) 814–0742
Assistant Coach (certificate pending)
Joel Keith
(303)358–9493
Superintendent
Shannon Guerrero
(928)853–5891