Registration is currently under way for 15 positions to form the U19 Long Island Colts boys high school rugby team. Yearly dues are $110 and financial assistance and rugby sponsorships are available. Practices begin in February.

High school rugby in the United States is a spring sport played on a football-size field without helmets, pads or timeouts. A game of rugby typically lasts 80 minutes. Rugby players play offense and defense and every player on the field is expected to run like a wide receiver, kick like a punter, tackle like a defensive back, pass like a quarterback and score touchdowns like a running back.

Rugby is the latest new sport on Long Island. High school boys interested in playing this tough, full contact game based on football, as well as those interested in sponsoring a team or player, should contact New Zealand coach John Royal at 395-6977 or jmroyal@msn.com.