Check Out the Phoenixville Rugby Scene

Ten years ago, Ben Manning watched his cycling buddies fade away. Deciding he wanted to move on to a team sport, he checked the options.

“It was either rugby or softball,” Manning said. “And I’ve never really liked softball.”

Now, Manning is the president of the White Horse Rugby Club, based in Phoenixville. With the season approaching, Manning said the men's club is always recruiting, and no experience is necessary.

“Recruiting is a constant effort for us,” Manning said. “We’ll take anybody.”

More than two dozen players typically show up to practice, Manning said, and about half live in Phoenixville. Half of the players never set foot on a pitch before.

“We get a lot of guys who come and have absolutely no experience,” Manning said.

Part of the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union, the White Horse Rugby Club has 12 teams in its division and will play seven matches this season, with one scrimmage at home against Ursinus College March 26. The team’s home pitch is Friendship Field, and the squad practices in Veterans Park.

Members of the club gathered at the Bistro on Bridge Saturday to catch the Scotland vs. Wales match in the RBS 6 Nations Cup. They were joined by members of the Keystone Women’s Club, which also calls Friendship Field home pitch.

“Everyone’s welcome,” said member Jessica Miron, who added that new players are always welcome to join the women's team, no experience necessary.

“It’s all about building the community,” Miron said.

Phoenixville also boasts a high school club called the Mustangs with 30-35 players.

“Youth rugby in the greater Philadelphia area is very big,” said Adam Smith, who played for Lock Haven University in his college days.

In any rugby club, you don’t simply get a new team to play on—you get the initiations, inside jokes, nicknames and everything else that goes along with it.

“It’s not the sport that’s so awesome,” Smith said. “It’s the social life that goes with it.”

For more information on these rugby clubs in Phoenixville, visit the White Horse Rugby Club Web site, the Mustangs high school club Web site and the Keystone Rugby Club Web site. Those interested in joining can send e-mails through those sites or simply show up at a practice and find out what it's all about.