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Madisonians are having a ball with rugby

The 608 hosts a national championship this weekend.

High school girls rugby players in action on the pitch.jpg

The High School Girls Rugby National Championships take place in Madison this year. | Photo via Madison United Rugby

A scrum of rugby players will be in Madison this weekend for the High School Girls Rugby National Championships.

Where: Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex, 448 Clark St., Cottage Grove
When: Friday, May 17-Sunday, May 19
Attend: Daily passes are $7 and a weekend pass is $12 (paid at the gate).

The best teams in the nation will be there from as far afield as Idaho, Hawaii, New York, and Tennessee. Wisconsin is represented by Waukesha’s Catholic Memorial High School, Milwaukee’s Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, and Hamilton High School in Sussex.

Interested in playing?

Madison United Rugby oversees the Wisconsin Rugby Sports Complex. There are several teams that play there that welcome new players:

  • Madison Minotaurs | The organization is a member club of International Gay Rugby.
  • Old Boys | Affectionately known as the Very Old Men, Idiots and Twits (aka V.O.M.I.T.s), they welcome players of all ages and skill levels.
  • Wisconsin Rugby Club | Established in 1962, the club has won the USA Rugby National Championship.
  • Wisconsin Women’s Rugby | Founded in 1975, it is one of the nation’s oldest women’s rugby teams.

Interested in watching?

UW-Madison has both a men’s and women’s rugby club that play at the complex.

Five high school clubs representing schools across the Madison area in both boys and girls competitions play.

Have kids who are interested?

Madison Flag Rugby and Monona Grove Flag Rugby are always looking for young players.

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