Interested athletes are invited to join
the club at any point in the year. The club
competes within the state-sponsored
organization called Rugby PA, which
includes a mix of single schools and
club teams throughout western
Pennsylvania.
As a sport, rugby football has a
reputation for being dangerous—a
stereotype that Danke hopes North Pitt
United can overcome through basic
education.
“Rugby is viewed as being too rough
due to the fact that there are no pads.
Because there are no pads, we have to
be even more careful with the way we
instruct players in the contact zone.
Everything is controlled,” he explains,
adding that there are no “shoulder
charges” or hitting a player without
“wrapping,” like in football.
“Many football programs have
looked to rugby-style tackling for
safer alternatives to the contact zone
in football,” Danke says. Leading this
movement, according to him, is the
head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, Pete
Carroll.
The sport also requires a high level of
respect between players, coaches and
referees.
“We live in a society with a lot of
screaming from the sidelines and stands,”
notes Danke. “In rugby, everything is
about respect. Only one person speaks to
the sir [referee], and that is the on-field
captain. Everything must be funneled
through that player when emotions arise.”
In addition, after every match, players
from both teams meet for a post-match
meal with the referee, coaches and
parents.
“The post-match meal is always a
hard habit to break for players, since
many sports would not even think about
sharing a meal with their opponent
after battling for 70 minutes,” Danke
says. “Our players have been extremely
respectful on and off the pitch.”
Athletes interested in learning more
about the sport can participate in a youth
co-ed program this summer. The program
will take place on Thursday evenings in
June and July at St. Ursula Church on
Duncan Avenue in Allison Park. The
cost is $50 per person, and each player
receives a T-shirt and rugby ball.
For more information about North Pitt
United RFC, call 724.882.3131 or send
an email to [email protected].
You can also find information about the
club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
by searching @NorthPittUnited. n
New Club
Ellie Hall fighting her way through a
defender to solidify a 50-meter try
down the sideline against Moon.
Mya Orgovan getting through a
defender during a match this season
at Moon.
Christian Henning looking to offload in traf-
fic during the team’s Kiski Valley match.
Sewickley | Summer 2017 | icmags.com 33