Alumni, students form Rugby team

By Bo Culkeen | gargoyle@flagler.edu

St. Augustine has got a new sport in town: Rugby.

The team was founded by Flagler alumni Sean May and since has quickly been built up to a 30-man roster. Among this roster is Flagler student Josh Thompson is also the team’s treasurer.

“We want to play in the Florida rugby union which has amateur through professional divisions and educate our community on the sport and conduct various charity events in town,” Thompson said.

Thompson helps put together fundraisers for the team at different locations throughout St. Augustine. Bars like White Lion and Local Heroes both have generously participated in lending the rugby squad a place to hold their charity events.

Rugby doesn’t have as big of a following as other sports like baseball or football. Not only do the players have to work hard to succeed at the game, most of them had to learn how to play first.

“I never played before so learning was difficult but a lot of fun but I definitely enjoy it,” said Jim McNeil, a Flagler College student and member of the Rugby team. “I stuck with it not only because of the athletics but because of the guys on team are a great group of guys. Rugby teams are one of the closest knit group of players on and off the field.”

When the team isn’t throwing charity events, the members practice at the Osceola Elementary athletic fields.