DePaul Women's Rugby was founded in 2001 and has been a growing club sport ever since! We love to get rough and tough, and also love to have a good time! We are a part of the CARFU (Chicago Area Rugby Football Union) and play numerous Chicaog area teams. We also play in tournaments aroudn the midwest are and looking to travel even more! Come check us out at Diversey harbor when we have home games!
A BIT O' RUGBY HISTORY
Curious about the sport in general? Well, legend has it that began as an informal game played at Rugby School, England (yes, it exists). The following comes from the Springfield Rugby site: OBJECT OF THE GAME The Object of the Game being that two teams of fifteen players each, observing fair play according to the Laws and a sporting spirit, should by carrying, passing, kicking and grounding the ball score as many points as possible, the team scoring the greater number of points to be the winner of the match.
THE TRY AT GOAL Until 1875 the only way to score was to kick the ball over the crossbar and between the goalposts (hence the preference for an oval ball). Place-kicks, goals from marks and dropped goals all counted for one point, a touchdown was worth nothing. However, if a player could touch the ball down behind the goal line he had the right to punt the ball out. If he was a defender he would do just that. If he was an attacker he would gently tap the ball to a teammate on the field, who would (hopefully!) take a fair catch and make his mark. The ball could then be carried back for a place kick - and therefore a try at goal. As time went on the try became more and more important. From 1875 touchdowns counted if the game was otherwise a draw. From 1884 a goal became worth three points, and an unconverted try worth one point. In 1892 and again in 1894 the value of the try was increased until it was worth three points - and 5 points converted. It was to stay at that value until 1971 when it was increased to 4 points. After yet another change the try is now worth 5 points and a conversion of a try 2 points.