CLAYTON, North Carolina – Registration for the Spring 2023 Wombats program has opened. The program, offered twice per year, by the Clayton Rugby Football Club is a non-contact introduction to the sport of rugby. Open to boys and girls ages 4-10, the program focuses on introducing basic rugby skills (run, pass, catch) in a non-contact environment. Started in 2016, the Wombats program holds sessions once per week for about an hour. The spring program starts on May 6 and runs through June 25. The program is separated into groups for age appropriate instruction and play.
Clayton RFC Youth Director Nick Taylor is looking to grow the program to new heights this year. Program numbers have been steady over the past year and the club aims to double those numbers as we prepare to move into their new facility.
In the lead up to the start of the program, the club is offering some free rugby clinics. The big one on the schedule is our Community and Try Rugby Day at Wilson’s Mills Community Park/Johnston County Rugby Park. That is being held on April 29, 2023 in conjunction with club sponsors UNC Health Johnston. UNC Health will be on site providing free health screenings. The club will be there to run rugby clinics and provide free hot dogs to visitors to the park. We will also have vendors and Kona Ice on site for the event.
Wee Wombats: Pre-K
Move and have fun! We will use rugby balls to play a variety of games that get players used to playing with a rugby ball, learning the basics of passing and catching, and having fun!
Young Wombats: Approx 5-7 Years Old
We will learn the basics of rugby through the use of a variety of fast paced, fun and exciting games. Players will learn passing and catching skills as well as play in flag rugby scrimmages.
Older Wombats: Approx 8-10 Year Old
Players will strengthen their rugby skills and continue to learn the parts of the game. Players will learn more about the strategy of the game, play flag games, and learn the basics of tackling and rucking using PADS (not each other). This will prepare them to transition to tackle rugby should they choose to do so.
To register for the spring 2023 Wombats program, follow this link.
About the Clayton Rugby Football Club
Founded in 2013, the Clayton Rugby Football Club is a community based Rugby Club within the Carolinas Geographic Rugby Union and a member of USA Rugby. The club currently fields a Men’s side, Old Boys (Age 35+) team, Men’s Summer 7s team, and a in house youth Wombats program. The Clayton RFC was founded with the goal of rethinking the model of what a rugby club should offer it’s members and what it can provide the community as a whole. While the club actively recruits with the goal of expanding our playing numbers and level of competition, the true measure of the Clayton RFC’s success is found in how we contribute to our community and how many new people we can introduce to the sport of Rugby Union. Clayton RFC exists for players of all ages and skill levels. There is a place for every type of player within the club, whether you have never played before or are a seasoned veteran. One of the major goals of the club is to provide a friendly and enjoyable rugby club experience both on and off the pitch. The club offers both playing and non-playing membership levels.
The Clayton Rugby Football Club is legally recognized as a non-profit corporation by the North Carolina Secretary of State and has IRS 501(c)3 non profit status as a Public Charity. All donations to the Clayton RFC are tax deductible.
