The St. Louis Crusaders are an inclusive organization; our players come from all races, ages, sexual orientations, heights, builds, levels of fitness, and levels of experience. We are always eager to have new players! As long as you’re 18 or older, male, and willing to play as part of a team, then you are welcome to join us.

Why should I play rugby?

You should play rugby because it is just so much fun. Every match is a battle of strength, speed, stamina, and skill; and every player on the pitch has the opportunity to pass, run, kick, catch, tackle, be tackled, or score points, as the circumstances demand. By playing rugby, you will learn new skills, discover hidden talents, get into fantastic shape, and develop deep and abiding friendships with other players (even guys from other teams).

Practices

If you’re curious about rugby, then our practices can help you figure things out. All Crusader practices are open to new players.

Regular practices are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00-8:30pm, in Forest Park behind the tennis courts. Our captains or coaches may also schedule extra practices to work on fitness or particular skills. All practices are held rain or shine, hot or cold, so be ready for the weather (though we do not practice if there’s lightning).

For practices, you should come with a water bottle, sturdy athletic clothes, and athletic shoes (cleats if you have them). Some practices will require a mouthguard, and it’s a good idea to bring a change of clothes (especially if it’s muddy). Leave your valuables, jewelry, and irreplaceable things at home, though.

Matches

Our matches are typically scheduled on Saturday afternoons at 1 o’clock; our home pitch is in Forest Park, but we often play elsewhere. Please see our calendar for specific details on each match.

Anyone can watch any of our matches, but you’ll need to do a few things before playing in your first match:

1. Bring a copy of your photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc) and medical insurance information (if you have it). We hope we never need this, but it’s useful if you do need medical treatment.
2. Complete our player information form and the USA Rugby Waiver (documents coming soon).
3. Complete USA Rugby’s player registration process (known as CIPP) and pay the fee (currently $70). This registration is valid from September to the following August, and is transferable in the unfortunate event that you need to change clubs.
4. Pay club dues, which cover the cost of running the club and playing matches. Dues are currently $150 per season (fall or spring); full-time students and first-time players pay $125 per season. Payment plans are available at the treasurer‘s discretion, but your dues must be current before we put you on the roster for any match.
5. Get black rugby shorts, red socks, boots, and a mouthguard. Shorts will cost around $20; socks $5-$10; boots $30 and up; and a mouthguard $5-$20. Other players may have extras they’d be willing to sell, lend, or give you, but you need to be sure you have each of those things before showing up to the pitch.

Questions?

Please see our FAQ or Rugby 101 pages, or contact our team captains.