Rugby is coming to Sartell High School this spring, giving all students another opportunity to learn leadership and teamwork skills in a competitive environment!
Earlier this fall, Sartell juniors Sophie Varner and Anna Burr created Sartell girl’s rugby, while Mr. Majette hosted meetings in the band room and C114. The club focuses on informing all high school girls interested in playing rugby about what it is and how it will be included in spring sports later this year.
After just one Sabre time, the club surged from eleven to twenty-four members. A weekly Sabre Time is held on Tuesdays, informing current members of what each position entails, how to play them, and plans for future practices and games.
Who better to be the advisor for this organization than Mr. Majette? No one! Majette played rugby at Arizona State for two years and three years at SCSU. He continued to play sporadically for several years after college and was done after his son, Xander, was born. Mr. Majette is also a licensed level-one coach and referee for rugby. During his playing days, he excelled in various positions, including wing, full-back, and scrum-half. The wing’s role is to finish off attacks and score tries, the full-back is essential in defending high kicks and making crucial tackles, and the scrum-half quickly distributes the ball during scrums, rucks, and lineouts. With his extensive background and qualifications, Mr. Majette is the perfect choice to guide this organization!
Another key person in this organization is junior Sophie Varner, one of the club founders. Her vision was to create a space where all girls at SHS of different grades, backgrounds, and skill levels could join to play a new and fun sport. Sophie knew that everyone would be beginners in this new sport so that everyone would learn together. She and the other co-founder Anna Burr wanted to make sure that everyone who chose could be included and valued in this exciting new sport! At one of the last Sabre Times, Sophie engaged with the girls and decided on a team name. In the future, she hopes to get the rest of the group’s opinions on jerseys, practices, and games.
How do you think SHS girls will benefit from playing rugby?
Not only are there juniors in girls’ rugby, but there are also a number of underclassmen in this organization. Getting first- and second-year students involved was a critical turning point for the girls. Since most of the group consists of juniors who will graduate in the following spring, the younger girls can take on the legacy of Sartell rugby in the future.
What made you decide to join girls’ rugby at SHS?
Anyone interested in playing can participate in Sabre Time every Tuesday, connect through GroupMe, or sign up for the Schoology course to stay updated on team activities and practices.
