“My First Practice” — What to Expect When You Try Rugby

So… you’ve been thinking about it.
Maybe you watched a match at the Cascade Classic.
Maybe a friend said “You’d love rugby,”
Or maybe you just want a new way to get active, meet people, or try something that actually looks fun.

We hear it all the time — and we’ve all been there.
This is your invitation: Come to practice.

Whether you’re curious, coming back after time off, or trying sport for the first time ever… this one’s for you.

What happens at practice?

Men’s team Practices:

Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6:30–8:00 PM
Skyline Sports Complex | Bend, OR

Women’s team Practices:

Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6:00–8:00 PM
Skyline Sports Complex | Bend, OR

You’ll start with a warmup — nothing fancy. Just get the body moving, do a bit of running, and maybe try out a pass or two.

We keep things inclusive, low-pressure, and fun. Most practices involve:

  • Passing and catching (no spiral required)

  • Footwork and evasion drills (ever played tag? You’re halfway there.)

  • Tackling and contact (totally optional — and fully coached for safety)

  • Game-style scenarios (we might run touch or controlled contact games)

We wrap up with a stretch, a few laughs, and probably an invite to grab a drink with the team.

What should I bring?

  • Comfortable workout clothes

  • Cleats (soccer/rugby preferred — but runners are just fine to start)

  • Water bottle

  • A positive attitude (no really — we’ve got everything else)

I’ve never played before. Is that okay?

Absolutely.
We want beginners.
Many of our players had their first taste of rugby as adults. Some never played a sport before joining Bend Rugby.

We’ll walk you through the basics, pair you with a buddy if needed, and make sure you feel welcome from minute one. You’ll learn by doing, laughing, and playing. That’s rugby.

Do I have to tackle people?

Not unless you want to.
We’ll introduce contact gradually, with full coaching and safety in mind. We have tackling drills where you’re not tackling a person, but a pad or column. However, if you’d rather stick to non-contact? That’s cool too.

(Also — ask us about our touch rugby program if you want to play, run, and pass without the hits.)

Will I be fit enough?

Rugby makes you fitter — you don’t have to “be fit” before you start.
We scale drills to every level, and we’ll never make you do something that feels unsafe or out of reach. Promise.

Why do people stick with it?

Here’s the thing about rugby: it’s not just a sport.
It’s a team, a social life, a support system, and a weekly reminder that you can do hard things — and have fun doing them.

You’ll meet people from all walks of life, of all shapes and sizes.
You’ll make friends, laugh a lot, and discover just how strong you already are.

👣 Ready to give it a go?

Men’s team first practice: Tuesday, August 12
📍 Skyline Sports Complex – 6:30–8:00pm

Women’s team First practice: Tuesday, August 12
📍 Skyline Sports Complex – 6:00–8:00pm

✅ Just bring yourself (and maybe a water bottle).
💬 DM us with questions — or just show up and say hi.

We’ve saved you a spot!