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EASTON, Conn. A few kids playing rugby during recess triggered Drew Sennett to start a league for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students.
Drew, a Redding resident who will be in seventh grade in the fall, started to teach himself how to play rugby about six months ago. On Monday, he was showing two of his classmates - Phil Villhauer and Andrew Johnson - how to pass the rugby ball.
"Compared to other sports, it's the best blend of strength and endurance and it's fun," Drew said during a practice Monday at Joel Barlow High School. His interest in the sport was sparked by a substitute teacher who played.
The group which includes more than 10 middle-schoolers from Redding, Easton and Westport practices two or three times each week. There are no clubs or leagues in Redding or Easton for kids to play rugby, nor does Barlow offer rugby for its students.
Drew is trying to get more kids to join so they can start a club and play games. He plans to run practices into November and start again in the spring. Tom Preston of Redding is helping Drew coach the team. Ryan McNamara, one of Drew's classmates, is helping to organize the club. When Drew goes to high school in two years, he said he will try to get a team started.
To join the rugby club, contact Drew Sennett at thefewtheproud98@hotmail.com.
Do you think there should be more rugby teams in the area? Leave your comments below.
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