About Ecrfc
Eau Claire Men's rugby started in 1980 with a group that just wanted to get the game of rugby going. Today, after 27 years, the rugby club continues to flourish. The team plays pool play during the fall as part of the Wisconsin Rugby Union. This usually is a set of approximately 5 matches against teams in the union. From there, playoffs happen further in the fall.
The team then participates in several tournaments during the spring. Some players also participate in 7's and 10's tournaments during the summer. Yes, it can be a year round sport! Most of the fall matches go 80 minutes (consisting of 2 - 40 minute halves). The tournaments are usually shorter games.
The team is made of people who want to learn the game of rugby and enjoy playing a contact sport. There is no special requirements to be able to participate, and you don't even need to know how the game works. Just show up and we'll teach you the ins and outs of the game. The team does tend to stick together and forms a brotherhood of sorts.
If you are interested in joining the team, click on the 'join the team' link either on the sidebar or at the top of the page.
Community involvement
The Rugby team has become involved with cooking and serving meals at the Hope Gospel Mission Center. The guys usually take a trip to the once a month. The guys usually show up between 4:30 - 5 to start cooking, and then serve the meals at about 6:30pm. The guys who are able to, stick around and eat with the residents and are able to talk, joke, and laugh with these guys. The Volunteer Director, Shanda Ludwig, said it's always a fun time for the residents with the ruggers show up. President Joe Lippert said, “It really is a positive experience to get to know people who are trying to better their lives.” It is also a good experience for the ruggers.
The Eau Claire Leader Telegram published a front page article that shared with the community the service the ruggers are doing at HOPE. For more info on Hope Gospel Mission, click the link on the sidebar.