I’m woefully behind with today’s coverage of the Girls HS NIT, but I’m tormented that I just don’t want to come to this event anymore. The rugby is so good but the sidelines are so bad. All I’m interested in is the action, so a FloRugby subscription will suit just fine.
I went to the NIT last year, but it had been four years since my previous trip (2013) in Wisconsin. USA Rugby had released the high school national championship from its care, and it returned to a committee that had run it since 2000. In that 2013 Wisconsin event, I fell in love with the game all over again, watching these high schoolers play at such a high level and enjoying the competition that they often lack at home.
But for the last three years, I’ve experienced firsthand or received reports of terrible sideline behavior. I’m wondering if FloRugby viewers saw the South Bay supporter who charged the pitch while a North Bay player was taking a conversion? All my sympathy goes to the players – on multiple teams – who ended up being the adults and managing their sidelines. On numerous occasions and on their own accord, they had to tell yelling adults to stop.
That atmosphere wasn’t every sideline obviously, but it pains me to say I got more negative reports than positive. That said, during the Catholic Memorial vs. Orchard Park game, a spectator yelled, “C’mon, ref,” and was gently reprimanded for the outburst with: A team got disqualified for yelling at the ref last year.
A highlight in terms of adapting, but things won’t change. Thus, the torment. The rugby is so good, but for me it’s not worth soaking up all that hate. Live-stream it is.