Shanghai American School hosts APAC Rugby … but the questions linger …
What is rugby and why do these boys (and girls) love to play it?

Since 2003, the popularity of rugby has spread rapidly on  both campuses of Shanghai American School.  Thanks to the leadership and inspiration of girls coaches like Laura Cowan, Sara Toa, Scott Hossack and Kristi Page, and boys coaches Jake Toa, Julian Thornbury,  Terry Leipold, David Dachpian, Mata Mataio, and myself, as well as former teachers Paul Wooton and Michael Johnston, a tradition and spirit of rugby has tackled the student body. 

The Spirit of Rugby
One of the reasons why rugby has such a following at SAS and around the world, is the tradition and spirit that surrounds the game.   Universally, rugby espouses an ethos of teamwork, loyalty, courage, integrity and sportsmanship.   It’s a game that is uniquely inclusive rather than divisive.  In this spirit, the Puxi campus  boys teams have adopted the “Band of Brothers” as their motto.  References to the famous soliloquy from Shakespeare’s Henry V, the words bespeak the loyalty, discipline and esprit de corps that form the foundation of the team’s success.  The Puxi campus varsity boys have won four China Cup championships and two APAC crowns.  A number of former Eagles now compete on university or club teams in England and the U.S.  (See sidebar on page 28.)

The Future of Shanghai Rugby

This has been an exciting year for rugby in Shanghai.  The Shanghai Rugby Football Club is building a spectacular new complex in Waigaoqiao.  This September it was the home for the first annual, IRB sanctioned Shanghai Sevens tournament.  IRB (International Rugby Board) has recently stationed their China rugby development officer, Mr. Jarrad Gallagher, in Shanghai.  Gallagher conducted coaching certification clinics and a player “Rugby Ready” course on both Puxi and Pudong campuses. Shanghai school rugby is slowly developing.  Although SAS is currently at the top of the pack, rugby programs are developing at Dulwich College, BISS Pudong and Puxi and Rego International School.   The dream is that one day, school and club rugby in Shanghai will be as ubiquitous and successful as that found in Hong Kong.

Readers for whom rugby is an unfamiliar game will benefit from a careful read of the glossary in the “Rugby for Rookies” sidebar on this page. Then come to a match and cheer for the home team!

HISTORY OF RUGBY AT SAS
1920–1950:  Shanghai American School competes in American football competing against Chinese universities, American marines.
2003 – SAS plays its first rugby game versus the SRFC Junior Crabs
2004 – SAS hosts its first game vs. the French International School
2005 – Rugby becames an APAC invitational sport. SAS Puxi boys hosts China Cup and loses in the final to HKIS.
2005 – Girls touch rugby begins at SAS Puxi.  SAS Puxi girls win APAC touch rugby at Brent International School.
2006 – SAS Puxi wins China Cup at ISB
2007 – Girls contact rugby begins at SAS Puxi
2007 – SAS Puxi hosts and wins China Cup .  Wins APAC at HKIS
2008 – SAS Puxi wins China Cup; SAS Pudong inaugural season;  SAS Puxi wins APAC  at SAS Pudong
2009 – SAS Puxi and Pudong play in 1st Annual IRB Shanghai 7’s.
2009 – SAS Puxi hosts APAC Championships

A Few of Our Eagle Rugby Alumni 

Amy Liu—U. of California at Davis
Steven Schneider—Wake Forrest
Drew Venkatramen—Vanderbilt
Paul Yu—Georgetown University
Devan Firoozi—London Scottish RFC
Emily Browing—U. of British Columbia

 Rugby football is a game I can’t claim absolutely to understand in all its niceties, if you know what I mean. —P. G. Wodehouse