SOUTH SHORE YMCA

South Shore YMCA Offers Youth Rugby Program Powered by the New England Free Jacks

Posted: Apr. 14, 2023

The South Shore YMCA has announced a new collaboration with the New England Free Jacks Major League Rugby team to offer youth rugby classes and clinics at Y locations in Quincy and Hanover.

Powered by the New England Free Jacks, greater Boston’s first professional rugby team, the Y’s new co-ed youth rugby program promotes excellent skill development, teamwork, health, and fitness. Players learn the basics of the game, rules, skills, and teamwork, in a fun and encouraging environment. No experience or equipment is needed, and the program is available for children 5-12 years of age.

“We are thrilled to bring rugby to our Y kids with the help of the pros at the New England Free Jacks,” said Hale Family YMCA Associate Executive Director, Nick Avery. “They are a great partner and share the Y’s commitment to serving youth in our community.”

All instruction is led by players from the New England Free Jacks, whose new home is Veterans Memorial Stadium, just down the street from the Hale Family Y in Quincy.

“It has always been a goal of ours to bring the wonderful game of rugby to our wider audience. We are thrilled to now be able to do this through the amazing South Shore community and deliver a Learn to Play Rugby Program for Youth in conjunction with the YMCA Quincy and Hanover branches” said Tom Kindley, General Manager, New England Free Jacks.

Rugby is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, and because the program is co-ed, it offers a great opportunity for girls and boys to build character, exercise, and have fun.

“Our children have had nothing but fun,” said Y mom, Chrissy, whose daughter and son participated in the Y’s first session. “They are excited to be here every week, and they have enjoyed every moment. Every person here, every player has been so warm, welcoming, and friendly. They have been getting just incredible exercise and they come home happy each week happy.”

The South Shore Y piloted the program at its Hale Family Y branch in Quincy and, based on its success, is now expanding to their Emilson Y branch in Hanover.

“Our parents and Y kids will love this,” said Emilson Y Associate Executive Director, Ashley Genrich. “We love that the game is available for boys and girls alike.”

To celebrate the new partnership and give the community a chance to see professional rugby for themselves, South Shore YMCA members can enjoy a special ticket price of $25 to Free Jack matches at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

To learn more about the program, or to register for the summer session at the Y, visit ssymca.org/youthrugby.

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About the South Shore YMCA

The South Shore YMCA is a leading charitable organization dedicated to strengthening community through programs that promote healthy spirit, mind, and body. Serving the communities of Quincy, Randolph, Holbrook, Weymouth, Braintree, Milton, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover and beyond, the South Shore Y provides the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive through its services and programs. Financial Assistance is a Y community benefit available to all families in need, applicable to all Y programs and services. To learn more about the South Shore YMCA, visit www.ssymca.org. The South Shore YMCA. The Better You Belongs Here.

About the Free Jacks

The New England Free Jacks are Greater Boston’s excitable professional rugby team competing in Major League Rugby (MLR), the premier North American professional competition, representing all the greatness of the six New England states on and off the field based out of Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy, Massachusetts.

FREE JACK TICKET DISCOUNT
FOR Y MEMBERS

Cheer on the Free Jacks! South Shore YMCA members enjoy a discounted rate on tickets to the New England Free Jacks home games, located at Veterans Memorial Field in Quincy. Enter code YMCA at checkout to enjoy $25 tickets to any home fixture, seated in the blue section. FREE JACKS TICKETS

REGISTER FOR YOUTH RUGBY AT THE Y

Get in the game with Youth Rugby at the South Shore YMCA.

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