The Jupiter Warriors Girl's Rugby Program played its first game this past Saturday in Port St. Lucie. With 20 returning players and 40 rookies, the girl's team has more depth than ever... but also more inexperience. "It's a challenge teaching so many new girls to play rugby, while trying to devote enough time to preparing the starters for their league matches, but our coaching staff and our resources through JTAA are constantly growing, so we're more than prepared to face that challenge," said Head Coach Sean Simon, who is also the Sports Director of JTAA Rugby.

For their season opener the Lady Warriors faced off against the first Varsity High School Girl's Rugby Program in the nation, the Sebastian River High School Sharks. The Sharks were much improved over their debut season last year, and carried more size and power than expected. The first twenty minutes went scoreless, and the Warriors were struggling with rucks and open field tackles. By half time though, eight-man Devin Hall had powered two runs in for scores, one of which fullback Alexandra Kracskowski added a conversion kick to. During the second half the Warriors extended the lead when center Courtney Patrick ran for another try and "Kracs" added another conversion, finishing the game with a 19-0 victory over Sebastian River High School. Jupiter's Lady-of-the-Match went to team captain and flyhalf Alexandra "Laser" Frazier, who led the team while playing three different positions and brushing off two injuries.

The rookies from both programs then played in a JV match. The Warrior rookies showed great promise as they defeated the Sharks 15-0, with scores coming from hooker Alex Redinger, scrumhalf Victoria Vicary, and center Brittany Freeman. "We really have a lot of young talent in our rookie class. I can't wait to see how this year's team comes together once these rookies learn the game well enough to play first side," said Coach Simon.

The JTAA Rugby Program hosts both boy's and girl's teams. Although most players come from Jupiter High School, some come from other high schools and towns. One of the girl's team players comes from Lincoln Park Academy, a magnet school in St. Lucie County, where Coach Simon teaches International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses. Lincoln Park Academy has its own boy's rugby program, but Coach Simon insists on staying with the Warrior program here in Jupiter that he founded in 2005. While the rugby girls have just started their competitive season, the Boys Team will be holding try-outs later this month. To stay updated on JTAA Rugby for both boys and girls, visit the www.jupiterrugby.org web site.

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Article by: Mark Taggart