Is it too late to play rugby?

Question

Im 21 and moving to a new city next year have recently got into watching rugby and would love to start playing in my new city. But i feel like starting so late in life will leave me with a huge deficit in my ability. I want to join a local club, do many players join at my age with no previous experience? will a club really spend time developing low level skills with me or will they just not bother...

Any educated answers would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

No you're not too old but you would need to be very fit.    Would help to read up the laws of the game as well

Answer 2

21 is definitely not to old to start playing rugby. If you want to try the game , do it. It's no use dying wondering.

As regards your concerns about your ability ... If you want to turn pro you have an uphill battle. However 99% of players aren't pro and play for the sheer enjoyment.

I'm 52 now and in my playing days played at a variety of levels , including two seasons in a Premiership winning team, but my fondest memories are playing in the lower grades with a team made up mostly of local surfers. In that team there were people older than yourself who hadn't played before. In our first season we came bottom of the lowest grade , the second season we won that grade easily. The following season eight of our team played for the clubs Premiere or Senior A team.

  The biggest thing is to enjoy

Answer 3

Rugby is not rocket science.

Low level skills can be mastered quickly and aren't nearly as important as fitness.

It really is a very simple intuitive game.

Answer 4

Go to www.usarugby.org and they will have a listing of all clubs in your area, assuming you live in America. I agree with the others and find a team in the lower divisions, you will get more playing time to learn the game, usually. All teams usually love to gain additional players at any skill level. What city are you moving to? Are you still in school? There are always a ton of college teams and those are great to break in with. Good luck.

Answer 5

many clubs welcome new players with open arms and training sessions are generally structured for all levels of playing ability, look out for a club that regularly fields more than one team as they are more likely to have lower levels for you to start in. Do yourself a huge favour and get fit before you start and be prepared to get hurt!! physical and mental strength are both required and depending on your size depends upon the position you will start although for safety's sake most teams put the newbie on the wing until you get the idea of the game, be prepared to look foolish every once in a while but enjoy it none the less!!!!!! the minute you stop enjoying it is the time to stop because if you aren't really focused you stand a bigger chance of getting injured. Most important thing I found was DON'T ever buy expensive boots until you know you are going to stick at it and then buy the best pair you can afford!! So get to the gym for general fitness work with a focus on cardio and leg strengthening I recommend rowing and cycling, and join a club that starts training before you start playing as the rules are actually more complicated than they look on TV and they seem to change every year!

Answer 6

It's not late at all!

I started playing at 13, and was first choice lock by 15, in front of 3 guys.

If you learn quick, you'll be fine. Watch a lot of rugby, and look at EVERYTHING the pro's do. And I don't mean the fancy stuff, I mean, in ruck scenario's etc.

Answer 7

Which city? And it depends on the club. Any college would love to have you. Otherwise you need to weigh out what you want to do. If you wanna improve and be serious, do some research and find either a division 1 or super league club and get involved. If you simply want to learn the game, develop some great friendships, and do alot of socializing, find a division 2/3 club. this isnt universally true but its a good start