North Harford High School offer tons of seasonal sports but there’s one sport that is not offered: rugby.

“If rugby was offered at our school, I would play,” said senior Casey Calder. “It’s a really fun sport.”

Rugby is considered a form of football but it differs because it is a boys and girls sport in which the ball can be both carried, kicked and can be thrown backwards. Players can block with hands and arms and are allowed to tackle. There are 15 players on each team and the game is continuous; there are no substitutions.

There are only a handful of people at North Harford High School that play rugby. In Harford County, people who play mostly play for North Bay Rugby.

“People from all over Harford County play for North Bay,” said senior Breanna Knorr. “We have a lot of fun together. We’re like a family now.”

There are “touch rugby” teams that people in grades 5-10 can be a part of.

“It’s a great way to learn how to play rugby without getting too physical too fast,” said Knorr.

But rugby is not just a club sport. There are colleges that recruit rugby players.

“I’m really looking into college rugby,” said Knorr. “I’ve been playing for four years and it would be awesome to be able to keep playing.”

Emilia Ferrara, former NHHS student, plays rugby at Notre Dame College. They traveled all the way to Palm Coast Florida to play and win their national championship. North Bay Rugby travels too.

“I love travel tournaments; they’re really fun to go to,” said Knorr. “We’ve had them in Pennsylvania and Virginia.”

The girls North Bay Rugby team has become close over the years, according to Casey Calder.

“I’ve been playing for three years and I love those girls,” said Calder. “We do a lot of fun things. We actually have a Christmas party coming up.”
Knorr and Calder love rugby and their team and encourage anyone who is interested to play.