Name: Hunter Wright
Age: 10
Hometown: San Jose
Why do you play Rugby? I like to play rugby because it's a fast moving game and a great work out. You do not need a lot of equipment. I like to be outside.
Isn't rugby a dangerous sport? No. It is only dangerous if rules are not followed. Any sport is dangerous if you do not follow rules. In the AYRU, we play rugby with kids who are at the same level and size - this helps to reduce the risk of injury. We learn rugby in a step by step fashion and work your way from simple touch-rugby, to flag-rugby, and then to full contact or tackle rugby. Tackling is a tricky skill to learn and we spend a lot of time perfecting the techique of tackling.
Isn't youth rugby just for overweight kids? No it is not. We have lots of kids on the team who are very lean and fast - they play on the wings and have a very special job to do. Rugby is for everyone who wants to play...it doesn't matter what size you are!
Favourite Rugby Position: "Hook" - this is a key position in a scrum. I am quite strong and help push the other team backwards during a scrum giving my team a big advantage. In addition when the ball is put into the scrum, my job is to use my feet to win possession and tap or "hook" the ball backwards to my team mates.
What do you like most about the Mountin View Bobcats? Everyone on the team is a good sportsman, friendly and supportive. The coaches are very experienced and very patient too. I like going to be a ball runner at Stanford University.
Would you recommend rugby to your friends? Yes I would, because it is a great sport and lots of fun to play .
