FAQ

What is BYU's Honor Code?

Brigham Young University exists to provide an education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That atmosphere is created and preserved through commitment to conduct that reflects those ideals and principles.

Initiated by students in 1949, the Honor Code is a matter of personal commitment to values such as honesty, living a chaste and virtuous life, obeying the law, abstaining from alcohol and tobacco, using clean language, and adhering to other values encompassed in the doctrines of the church. The Honor Code is supplemented by additional guidelines on dress, grooming, and housing standards.

For more on the Honor Code visit, http://honorcode.byu.edu.

How can I buy tickets to BYU Women's Rugby events?

You can purchase tickets at http://eventtickets.byu.edu

What is rugby?

Rugby is game that originated in 1823 on the playing fields of Rugby School, in England. William Webb Ellis is credited with starting the game when "with a fine disregard for the rules of football(soccer), as played in his time, first took the ball in his arms and ran with it".

Rugby is similar in some respects to soccer and American football. It is played by two teams of 15 players on a field about 150 yd (140 m) long and 75 yd (70 m) wide, with goal lines 110 yd (100 m) apart and two in-goals (corresponding to football's end zones). The ball may be kicked, carried, or passed (laterally or backwards); tackling is permitted, but blocking is forbidden. Scoring is by applying downward pressure and pushing the ball into the ground with a finger, or hands, or arms or upper body and/or by kicking a penalty kick between the goal posts and/or by kicking a drop kick between the posts during play.

Do you do tryouts? When is it?

BYU Women's Rugby is officially recognized under Extramural Sports department at BYU. There will be tryouts for new recruits in the first week of every semester on Mon, Wed, Fri 5pm - 7pm at Helaman Field BYU or the Indoor Practice Facility. More information to come, when it's available. We would like you to prepare your body for a physical sport. For you to enjoy this sport, get stronger. See bench press chart below, under "Untrained" - this is the minimum standard on how you can measure your strength. Talk to your physician, Dad, brother, and/or strength and conditioning coach on how to get stronger. Women "cannot live on bread alone", so adjust nutrition standards, to support your new lifestyle. Welcome to Rugby!

Pounds

Bench Press - Adult Women
Body Weight Untrained Novice Intermediate Advanced Elite
97 50 65 75 95 115
105 55 70 80 100 125
114 60 75 85 110 135
123 65 80 90 115 140
132 70 85 95 125 150
148 75 90 105 135 165
165 80 95 115 145 185
181 85 110 120 160 195
198 90 115 130 165 205
199+ 95 120 140 175 220

**** In order for these standards to apply, the bar must make contact with the chest above the bottom of the sternum with a momentary pause and be pressed to full elbow extension. ****

Almost all of our players started playing rugby without any prior experience at all. Some may realize that this is not for them, but the few, the proud Cougars go on to represent at a higher level even at the Women's Collegiate All American program, USA U20 National Team, and the US Women's National Team. Rugby is indeed one of the the best games on the planet.

Do you offer rugby scholarships?

No we don't. We are not in a position to offer any scholarship at this time. Women's Rugby is a recognized Extramural Sport program at BYU. We operate under BYU Sponsorship, team dues, fund-raising, tickets amd merchandise sales, and through our generous donors and parents.

How much does it cost to play?

Team Dues = $200.00 yearly. (Each player must pay dues in full as soon as they make the roster for the current year. This is paid online under your BYU Financial account or here on team website under "Team Members" bottom menu.)

How do I contact the committee and/or coach?

Please use the Contact Us Link found at the bottom of the page.

Where do you practice?

Main practice fields are:

1. Indoor Practice Facility (IPF), BYU

2. Helamans Field, BYU Outdoor Track and Field Complex - 1600 North Canyon Road, Provo, UT 84604

3. North University Fields

4. HAWF Field

Strength & Conditioning Facility:

1. SFH Athletics GYM - 1st Floor

2. SFH Student GYM - 2nd Floor

How do I play rugby? I have never played before.

Patience young Jedi. Let's take this one step at a time. Come to practice and we'll show you how. Rugby is a contact sport, and you must prepare mentally and physically for it.

When is the season?

Both Fall and Winter/Spring semesters. The season usually starts from end of August to the about the first week of May. Open Tryouts and/or walk ons will be on the first 3 days of practices Monday, Wednesday, Friday 5:00pm - 7:00pm.

When do you practice?

The team practices on:

Monday: 7:00am-7:50am (Strength & Conditioning)
Monday: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Wednesday: 7:00am-7:50am (Strength & Conditioning)
Wednesday: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Friday: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Saturday: 6:00am-8:00am (Sat is also game day, usually kickoffs or start times are set for 11:00am or 1:00pm).

If you wish to play, you must make sure that you set your school and work schedule to accommodate practices and games.

What should I bring to the practices?

Wear sturdy clothing. Bring a white, BYU blue, and gray t-shirt on the first day of practice. You must bring a mouthpiece - not negotiable (safety issue). You will need a pair of cleats for rugby (soccer cleats are acceptable). You can come to your first practices in sneakers if you do not have a pair cleats yet. Make sure all jewelry is removed and your finger nails are cut. In the warm weather bring extra water. In the cold weather dress in layers.

When are the games?

Usually on Saturdays. If we are in a tournament, it is Friday and Saturday. We never play on Sunday, period.

How about injuries? Do you get injured a lot?

Rugby is a contact sport so everybody gets their share of bumps, bruises, or scrapes during a match - similar to field hockey, lacrosse, or soccer. According to a recent study, the incidence of injuries in women's collegiate rugby is comparable with that in other women's contact and collision sports. Our coaches are very strict on safety, and using proper rugby techniques and skill.

Are there really that many schools with rugby teams?

Yes! There are over 450 men's collegiate teams and over 300 women's collegiate teams. BYU Women's Rugby is not under Athletics Department with NCAA status. It is an Extramural Sport under BYU Student Life.

Women's Rugby was classified by the NCAA as an Emerging Sport in 2002. The NCAA defines an Emerging Sport as "a sport recognized by the NCAA that is intended to provide additional athletics opportunities to female student-athletes. Institutions are allowed to use emerging sports to help meet the NCAA minimum sports- sponsorship requirements and also to meet the NCAA's minimum financial aid awards." 
 
An Emerging Sport is governed by the same rules as other NCAA sports. The major distinction is that Emerging Sports do not have championship status. Championship status means that a sport has a national championship sponsored by the NCAA. To gain championship status, there must be a minimum of 40 varsity NCAA programs.

In an effort to pursue an NCAA Championship, 16 Colleges formed the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association. Each of these institutions sponsor NCAA rugby at their respective divisional levels and are committed to the expansion of women’s rugby at the highest level with eventual full sponsorship by the NCAA.