Should I start playing rugby again? Too old?

Question

I played rugby at a very competetive level for 6 years playing for Navy, Army, Marine, and local club teams accross the U.S..

That was 14 years ago. Now I'm 38 and have 3 kids, a wife, a job etc. But now that life has settled a little bit and my boys are getting older I have considered joining our local club and start playing at various tournaments and matches in the area. I would like my boys to see me play so they can build an interest in the game early and I could get the game in my blood again. I'm much more out of shape (40 lbs heavier) than I was but still pretty active, cycling, hiking...so I'm sure it'll hurt like h**l for the first few weeks or months.

What are your thoughts? Is it too time consuming to do with a family and still be committed to the team? Is the risk of injury too great now that I'm bigger and older? Would you do it if you were in my situation?

Answer 1

there are masters tournaments that you can participate in

i would advise becoming a coach. the kids will get into the game that way, and you likely wont have injuries.

Answer 2

this is what i did, i played union for 25yrs both at club and rep level so after playing for 25yrs when the body was telling me to do something about it ,mind you the mind was more than willing i decided to give something back to the sport i love and gave me great pleasure to particpate in ,i then took up coaching at a junior level i had the oppurtinity to coach seniors which i didn"t take i tell you to watch a bunch of kids run around and have fun was magic, in the first 3 games they were beaten by 90 pts  to nil, 12 games later they won there championship title, over the following years you could see these kids devlop into good young men, 1 went on to repesent his country in soccer at a junior level, 2 others became good players at club level ,my work was now complete, i will add that why i was coaching the juniors , i also trained with the senior side to keep my level of fitness up ,it also help keep the mind young. Ahh nothing like the smell of leather again.......i did jnr coaching for a further 6 yrs

Answer 3

I suggest you take it one step at a time.   Start getting in shape now.  If ye have a vets team, go out training with them as early in the season as you can.  If ye dont, why not call some of the old team up and ask them will they come out training with you. Then analyse your fitness and tell the team that you might not be able to play full time, but you would be more than happy to be a kind of stand-in. Be casual about it.  Then if you start to be a star once again, of course you will really enjoy it, and it will take up lots of time.  I remember playing with some guys who were quite old and no longer very fit, but they often had great advice for the pack when things got a bt ropey.  And their experience even won the match when they directed the team to try some different moves.  when a team is under pressure the 'old heads' stopped the rest from 'losing their heads'.  of course injury is gonna be a worry when you are pushing on, so you have to devote more time to stretching in training and pre-match, and ice packs after the match.  But why the h**l not just go for it.  I would love to play again, but I developed arthritis.  It's a great game, no wonder you would like your boys to be interested.

Answer 4

you're never too old mate.  In the first division for my club, the front row are 45, 42, and 41.  This is the front row who won the division over 8 teams with an average age of 24.

The English rugby team won the world cup with a combined age in the front 8 of 360

Answer 5

.....instead of playing...i think you should be a coach...you fit all the criteria...nd sometimes you could join in the fitness..

or start off with oztag or touch footbal.. to get you into the mood...then make your way up to rugby.

good luck

Answer 6

Give it up champ.  Find a touch footy team

Answer 7

My daddy's 48, is a Executive Manager, has two kids, goes on business trips and he still finds time to play vets for our Rugby and Cricket club. What does help though is that we train together often at the weekends so try that with you sons.

Answer 8

Nah, I've got heaps of friends and family who play rugby and they are around your age and have similar situations...just join a "golden oldies" team..(no disrespect intended lol)

Just stretch well and condition yourself with your cycling and jogging...my bro would have a hot bath after playing...

YOu'll be fine...go hard...