All-Navy Rugby Team trains at NAS Jax

The week began with a rugby scrimmage between the Navy players and the University of Florida (UF) Rugby Team Oct. 14. The grueling match ended with Navy beating UF 22-19.

"While coordinating the team's events on base, I contacted some of the local rugby teams to see if they were interested in a scrimmage. We were able to coordinate two, between UF and another with a combined team of players from Jacksonville and Daytona Beach," said NAS Jax Athletic Director Tim McKinney.

McKinney, a former rugby player was instrumental in bringing the training camp to the base. "I contacted Navy Sports and let them know that NAS Jax was interested in hosting training camp. It just so happened they were looking for a host for the rugby team," he said. "We contacted the coaches and began working on all the logistics. The field was already available so we just put up new goal posts and lined the field. We've had tremendous support from everyone on base. Hopefully, this will become their permanent home and they'll come back every year."

U.S. Navy Rugby Team Assistant Coach Pat Wallace discusses some plays with his team members during one of the practices at NAS Jax during the team's training camp.

During the week, players participated in three training sessions each day. "We start each morning with physical fitness, then we come to the field and hold two practices sessions in the morning and afternoon. The practices consist of a lot of skills training such as ball handling, line-out maneuvers, lifting techniques, situational moves, penalties and team concepts," explained All-Navy Rugby Team Assistant Coach Pat Wallace, who has been with the team as a former player and coach since 1995.

"We are taking people from all over the country, who play for different teams under different philosophies, and try to mold them into one philosophy. The biggest challenge of creating an all-star team is that each individual has their own way of doing things and to we have to change their habits and do it the Navy way," continued Wallace.

The two teams scrum down after a Navy penalty.

"Rugby has been around the military for a number of years. Many of our military personnel have played the sport while stationed in Europe. We definitely have some talent here. We have U.S. national players and some our guys have traveled the world playing rugby," added All-Navy Rugby Team Director and Coach Don Sheehan, who has also been with the team since 1995. "And, these players come with a variety of professional skills. I've got Navy SEALS, doctors, pilots, surface warfare officers and young seamen. Along with the physical training, we also incorporate professional development training. We mentor our players and keep track of them."

According to Sheehan, there is a player pool of about 500 individuals vying for a spot on the All-Navy Rugby Team each year. "Each year, we put out an announcement that we are looking for players who submit applications and references. We have scouts in different regions of the world, who help me decide who will attend camp. We take the best available players and with two wars going on right now and other deployments, it's hard," he said. "We invite 30 players to camp and cut it down to 25 by the end of the week either through attrition of because they just don't have the skill level needed to be on the team. The level of competition in this sport is extremely tough."

Navy rugby player Paul Mitchell practices his catching and passing skills during a team practice.

To attend training camp, players are given no-cost temporary additional duty orders by their commands.