Starting a brand new sport in College?

Student Lounge College Life
1

Hi all!

I’m an international student who will be attending college in the US (Yale University) this August as a freshman, and I’m just wondering if it’s possible/recommended to start a new sport when you start college?

I’ve always loved to watch rugby and wanted to start playing, but I’ve always been unfit/overweight until recently (taken a gap year - lost weight) and I’ve never been part of a serious sports team before. I know Rugby is considered a ‘club sport’ and not a collegiate(?) sport but I still think it would be too competitive!

Just wondering what you guys think of the idea :slight_smile:

2

Are you saying you want to create an intramural rugby team?

3

You are saying that you want to join the club team? I think what i would do is talk to the club president/captain and express interest…do that by clicking here http://www.yalerfc.com/join/

Read that website…it says “From the Elite Player to the Social Player , our aim is to provide an environment that caters to all”

Also I see something about developmental players.

Finally, there are references to a summer conditioning program…contact them and make sure to do that!

So I would say they welcome beginners as well.

4

Yeah maybe, I’m guessing it would be a newcomer to the sport would be unlikely to join the college’s club team, but I’m mainly asking whether or not taking up a new sport at college is worth it/ if I would get anywhere with it. I want to try new things than what I did at school :slight_smile:

5

Looking at the Yale site, I would say it is defintely worth it (comraderie, alumni support, physical activity) and do not give up before you start. Try it!!

6

@bopper thanks! You’re actually a good motivator! It would be just that id be afraid to be embarrassed being such a newcomer to the world of sport in a prestigious institution that would have people playing for years!

7

Check this out if you want to hear about someone else’s experience. It of course depends on how rigorous your sport will be, ie club vs varsity.

https://mytrendingstories.com/article/should-i-play-sports-in-college/

8

Definitely look into the club team, but don’t just look at the information they post online. Shoot an email to the club sponsor or the club officers if you can find an address and ask whether they are willing to take a beginner. The fencing club at my school offered beginner lessons for the first semester as well as practice for experienced folks, then those of us that stayed became part of the team. This process will probably be on a club-by-club basis, so be sure to contact someone directly about whether they take beginners

9

There are also intramural teams at Yale btw - they are less competitive than the club level if that’s something you’re looking for.