Player Info

About

The purpose of the club shall be to promote and foster the game of rugby union. Stingers Rugby is based in Lansdowne, MD and draws players from all around the greater Baltimore area. Stingers Rugby competes in the Division III Mid-Atlantic Rugby Conference. We travel within the mid-Atlantic region for matches and tournaments. We play 15's in the Fall and Spring and 7's in the summer. Our team consists of players with a wide range of experience levels from those completely new to the sport to those who have played more than 10 years.

All our welcome at Stingers Rugby! Our team fully supports and accepts trans-athletes, nonbinary, and LGBTQIA+ individuals as teammates and fans. Our team does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, martial status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of it's activities or operations.

Practice

Practices are currently held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00PM to 9:00PM at Lansdowne Middle School 2400 Lansdowne Rd, Halethorpe, MD 21227

New players are welcome to join practice at any point during the season. Captains will run the team through a dynamic warm-up. Coaches will then run the team through drills that cover a wide range of rugby skills like ball handling, tackling and rucking, scrums, set plays, dynamic play, and lineouts. We usually end practices with scrimmage play or touch to enforce what we've learned and strengthen our ability to work together in game situations. We practice in a variety of conditions, including rain and a range of temperatures. If practice is cancelled an email and message on our team's discord will go out in advance letting players know. It is critical as a player that you make practices whenever possible. Coaches take attendance and it is factored into playing time. Also, practice will simply make you a better player, and that's what it's all about.

Necessary Gear

Mandatory Practice Gear:

Dress appropriately for the weather. Rugby shorts, a mouth guard, and boots (cleats) are necessary to participate in practice.

Rugby Safety Gear:

For those looking to have some extra protection, there are various options including scrum caps, and rugby grade upper body armor/padding. If you are uncertain of where to purchase any of this gear or what will work best, reach out to your Captain or E-Board and they will help find the best options.

USA Rugby Membership / CIPP / Player Dues

USA Rugby Membership:

All players must have a Current Membership with USA Rugby to be eligible to compete in matches.

CIPP:

All players must CIPP with USA Rugby. Existing players should renew their membership every August. New players must register with USA Rugby.

Seasonal Dues:

Players, pay your dues! Dues are $115 for vets and $85 for rookies.

Remember you can also join in the fun at social events by paying $50 in social dues.

Member dues go toward all the costs of running the team including: field space, referee fees, equipment, player assistance fund and tournaments.

To pay your dues, please contact the team's current Treasurer. Any Member experiencing financial hardships and in need of a payment plan may also discuss this matter with our Treasurer as well. Stingers Rugby does not believe that money should ever be a barrier to anyone who wants to experience rugby.

COVID-19 POLICY

If a player or coach is experiencing any symptoms or is sick in any way they should NOT attend practice, games, or other team events and should get tested for COVID-19.

If a player tests positive for COVID-19:

It is the player’s responsibility to inform a member of the e-board to allow the team leadership to notify close contacts of a possible exposure. If an individual tests positive for COVID-19 the e-board will notify all close contacts of a possible exposure and inform them of the recommended procedures based on state guidelines and vaccination status. Any individual who tests positive must provide a negative test result to the e-board in order to return to regular play.

Symptoms of COVID-19:

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Fatigue, Muscle or body aches, Headache, New loss of taste or smell, Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose, Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhea

To ensure the health and safety of all players, coaches, and supporters the e-board will keep track of the local COVID-19 trends/positivity rates and make changes to practice and play procedures accordingly.

Mask Policy:

Stingers Rugby recommends players follow local guidance on mask wearing and social distancing. Members are welcome to wear masks at practice, games, and other social events at their own discretion. Mask wearing is encouraged in crowded indoor settings like socials and other team events regardless of vaccination status.