The Game of the Strongest

Linus Lim

Rugby. A sport only the strongest play.  As I watch players suiting up for practice and tackling dummies, I couldn’t help but think, “Wow, I can’t believe we’re having this in Dalat.” October 30, 2018 marked Dalat’s first ever rugby practice.

Nervous and excited, players started stretching and warming up before practice began. Eyes wandered around the field as players prepared for the coach’s arrival. Phreeeeeet! All students assembled to the sounds of the coache’s whistle. Coach Morgan congratulated players for joining him in this historic moment and started practice with the signature Eagles chant: “Eagles on three! One! Two! Three! Eagles!”

With that, Coach Morgan began practice with a wrestling drill. This drill required the toughest and strongest players. Well-built figures, such as Gavin Zimmer (11), stood out amongst the others as one of the most brawny and powerful players on the team. Next up was a drill of passing. Players worked on technique and form during this, and Coach Morgan continued his scouting for potential talents within the team. Finally, day 1 ended with tackling a dummy. Coach Morgan taught the team how to properly tackle someone. Standing in awe, most players are very impressed by how well Coach Morgan tackles, and everyone did their best to follow his teaching.

The first day of practice ended with smiles and laughter. After the coach closed the practice with prayer and the Eagles chant, chatter filled the field with whispers of who could be captain of the team and who stood out in every drill.

As everyone went to their lockers, I asked Trevor Ronning (12) on his thoughts of their first practice. Ronning said, “I became super excited for the rugby season the first day of practice as we began learning about what an incredible and complex sport it is. Coach Morgan did a great job of making practice challenging as well as fun.”

This day goes down as one of the special moments in Dalat sports’ history. As these young players learn the game of rugby, will they have a great season full of growth and development, or will their season end in flames and ashes? Tune into Dalat Athletics to find out more!

Picture of Mycah Winsor(10) and Gabe Roberts(11) preparing for practice. Photo Credit: Dalat Athletics Facebook