Richelle Stephens and Mireille Codjia during a youth clinic •
The Lindenwood University women’s rugby team is building a top-rated organization. The St. Charles, Mo., program is well supported by the university, has quality numbers and a dedicated coaching staff, and plays a diverse schedule. The Lions are also community-minded, and in between its long DI Elite season, Lindenwood has been connecting with area youth.
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Lindenwood has not only hosted several youth rugby clinics, coordinating with successful programs like St. Louis West Rookie Rugby Club and Saint Charles Rookie Rugby, but goes a step farther by inviting groups to their home matches and throwing pizza parties. The goal is to not only introduce rugby to new and young players, but also engage with them off of the training pitch.
“Teaching the kids to play rugby is really enjoyable,” USA Olympian and Lindenwood flyhalf Richelle Stephens commented. “Their excitement and enthusiasm are contagious. I hope they gained as much as I did from this experience.”
“Coach Trevor [Locke] and our team continue to impress me with their excitement to work with our local community and to grow the game,” Lindenwood coach Billy Nicholas praised. “We are just doing our small part to continue to see the love for this sport grow in the hearts of the youth across the nation.”
The Lions will retake the field at the Las Vegas Invitational, where the team will play DI Elite BYU in an exhibition 15s match. Lindenwood then heads on tour to Ireland before hosting the Glendale Raptors. The combined DI spring/DI Elite national playoffs begin April 8-9. [click here for 2017 Calendar]
For more information on Rookie Rugby programs in the St. Louis/St. Charles area, contact:
St. Louis West: stlkidsrhinorugby@gmail.com
St. Louis: stlrookierugby@gmail.com
St. Charles County: stevemckinstry@att.net