Freedom Youth Rugby Club: Welcome

Welcome to the official home page of
the Freedom Youth Rugby Club located in Sykesville/Eldersburg, Carroll County, Maryland!!!

NEW update: 7/11/08 -  The Freedom Fighters will play host to this years PRUYL MD/DC tournament.  We need your help on that Friday/Saturday and Sunday.  We need parent and rugger volunteers to help with field setup (Thurs or Fri),  food concessions,  and trash removal (Saturday and Sunday).  If everyone can pitch in a little bit, it will be very helpful.  Particularly helpful will be parents of U-13/15 helping on Saturday and parents of U-9/11 helping on Sundayso that everyone can see their ruggers play.  Ruggers can help as well, on the day that they aren't playing.  Please e-mail Vonnie or Jed at freedomfightersrugby@yahoo.com  about helping. 

NEW update: 6/26/08 -  A new article about Heat Stress and Adolescents has been added to our "links" section.  Please take  moment to read and apply what you learn here.  We are a summer sport, and we really need to be aware of the potential warning signs.

In the market for additional rugby gear?  Click this BALL'S OUT! Rugby link when you purchase rugby gear and our club will earn credits for equipment. Thanks!

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This site is provided to help coordinate information for our team, parents, coaches and supporters. The primary goal of the Freedom Fighters rugby program is to introduce young athletes to the game of rugby and have some summer fun. Freedom is part of the Potomac Rugby Union Youth League which is comprised of teams from the Baltimore, Washington and Northern Virginia suburbs. Most of our games are against teams in the local area.


Players ages 7-14 (before July 1st) are introduced to the basics of rugby playing a game called Touch 7s. As the name indicates, there is no tackling involved. As a result, boys and girls play together on co-ed teams, broken up into 3 age groups: U9, U11, U13 and U15. The teams are further divided as numbers allow to account for age, experience and ability. New and returning players of all levels of experience and ability are welcome!

You'll find that Freedom Rugby provides a more relaxed environment than many other organized sports you may have encountered. While it is our hope that the players will put out a good effort in practice and play games to the best of their ability, the coaches are also aware that our season falls during the summer. Therefore, there is no mandatory attendance at practice or games. We want players to attend as often as they can, whenever they can.


Practices are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Hodges Park from 6:30-8pm. Games are held on Saturdays, beginning on June 21st, and ending with the tournament on August 2nd and 3rd. Home games are played at Freedom Park; away games are played at various locations in the Baltimore metro area such as New Windsor, Ellicott City, Lutherville, Linthicum and Bowie.

Any questions? Email Jed Davis



Freedom Rugby Inclement Weather FAQ

The Freedom Rugby Weather Hotline phone number is no longer operational. You should check your e-mail for practice updates on days when there is inclement weather. We will have cancellations out no later than 30 minutes prior to scheduled practice or game. Should you not have access to e-mail, please call your coach, or Jed Davis at 443-604-8937. Weather events occuring 30 minutes or less prior to practice will follow the guidelines below.

A few quick weather FAQ's:

1. Do we practice in the rain? Rugby is a sport played in all sorts of conditions; rain, snow, ice and slush. Fortunately for us, we only have to deal with rain. In light of safety conditions, should it be raining on or between 6:30 - 8:00pm on practice nights, please meet at the pitch (what we call a rugby field) and be prepared to pick up your child.
2. Do we practice in a light sprinkle? This is invigorating and healthy, so we don't fear light sprinkles UNLESS thunder is heard, or lightning observed. This is a cause for immediate stoppage of play. If you are not present for practice, please return immediately to pick up your child should conditions warrant.
3. What about if it has rained during the day but is dry now? Check your e-mail. We won't practice in dangerous turf conditions (sloppy conditions), but a soft pitch is a friendly pitch, so a little moisture won't hurt.
4. Will we cancel because of excessive heat?  The answer is yes, on a case by case basis.