Rugby Michigan postponed its high school fall season, which is the championship 15s season for the girls. State Governing Body (SGB) president Andy Dauser, who is also head coach of Sparta-Rock, will start forming expectations for the spring as he tracks the successes and challenges of those team sports that are active this fall. Meanwhile, he hopes to inspire coaches and programs to embrace different competition options, as numbers have stagnated in the state and Covid-19 restrictions will only exacerbate the decline.
“We were pretty pumped about getting the season in when football, soccer and volleyball could all play,” Dauser referenced Executive Order 2020-176 from early September, “and then the state updated the mandate that masks had to be worn while playing. We’re the only state in the country with that mandate, so that has put a damper on things. I polled the coaches and decided it’s better to push off for the spring.”
Although “better” is relative. If the fall is unsuccessful in terms of spreading the virus, if the calendar crowds and field space is limited, if multi-sport athletes have to choose between teams – there’s just a lot of uncertainty.
“Wrestling is the next big sport to watch, because you can’t wrestle with a mask on,” Dauser said. “That’s more of a winter sport, so we’ll watch them and see what they do, and get an idea of what to do as a rugby community.”
Senior clubs, college and high schools in Michigan are practicing and running around, but there are no league seasons happening (read the Midwest’s and National Collegiate Rugby’s statements). Everyone is worried about the effect on participation numbers, but Dauser is particularly concerned about the high school game.
“Our numbers have been going down the last 3-4 years. Had the spring season happened for the boys, they would have been down three teams,” Dauser said. “It’s really concerning and going to take a lot of effort from everyone to get afloat. I’m really worried about it.”
Declining numbers for the girls meant a new competition structure this fall, had the season evolved. Four teams (Grandville, Sparta-Rock, Grand Haven, Berkley) would have played in a 15s block, while three teams (Lakeview, Livingston County, Traverse City) would have played 7s.
“We have 20 guys’ teams, seven girls’ teams, and it’s been that way for eight years. Why has there been no growth,” Dauser posed. “Michigan has a population of 10 million and 700 kids playing rugby. There’s a lot you can do with rugby that’s not really pursued by enough coaches. For example, we can’t get summer 7s going for some reason. Then you look Indiana, which has [6.7] million people and 3,000 kids playing rugby. States grow when they think outside the box and try new things.”
Dauser broached the topic of fall 7s or touch rugby with fellow coaches and was frustrated that there wasn’t much appetite for anything other than 15s.
“They’re 15s traditionalists and don’t want to play 7s because they feel it excludes certain types of players,” Dauser explained the resistance. “But I’m a prop and I play 7s and I love it. It’s an opportunity to play, and that’s what we need to do this fall.”
And that is precisely why Dauser reached out to Rugby Indiana, which is holding a touch 7s series for its teams this fall. The SGB was open to and approved the inclusion of Michigan teams, and Sparta-Rock gripped the opportunity to play some ball. Pending school approval, the team will be heading to Fort Wayne for two of the four tournaments (and pay half dues).
“I like to stay active,” Dauser said. “It affects me, not being around rugby or coaching and having the gyms closed for six months. I’m a big fan of staying active to improve mental health, and that’s one of the reasons why my players want to go compete. They just want to play, and they know this is the only option so far.”
Dauser indicated that the entire team, props and all, are excited for the road trips and the opportunity to bond with a new team.
“Plus, it’s another way to expand your skill set,” the coach lauded touch 7s. “You run in touch and it’s fast paced. It’s all ball skills, which you can never be too good at.”
The team leaders will be charged with unique responsibilities this year, but Dauser is confident in his squad, which is running with 24 instead of 30 players so far. Katie Gale is a bit of a rarity in that she’s one of a few four-year players that Dauser has coached in his six years with the team.
“We pulled her off the bench as a freshman and she’s been starting ever since,” Dauser said of the center. “She’ll be one of our captains and brings a ton of experience. She’s being looked at by a couple of schools out east, like Quinnipiac and a few others.”
Erin Ball could play at the NCAA varsity level, per Dauser, but is enrolling in the Army after graduation. The third-year flanker has captain potential and sets the team’s tone for physicality.
“She’s very aggressive, really smart, and always smiling,” the coach said. “I always tell players, ‘Don’t trust that smile. She’s a headhunter and will smash into you.’”
Olivia Mail is also a third-year flanker and the senior’s background in wrestling means she’s very comfortable in the contact area. Aggressive and versatile, Mail has played hooker, No. 8 and scrumhalf as well. That said, the team is very excited to have junior Ashley Cowdrey, who has recovered from foot surgery, back in the No. 9 jersey. Her father has been coaching rugby for more than 20 years, and her godfather is Davenport University coach Greg Teliczan, so the junior has been around the sport her whole life. That experience comes through in Cowdrey’s ability to push the pace of the game, attack gaps and send expert passes.
“She’s just exciting to watch,” Dauser said.
The coach is also excited to see how senior Tamyah Flowers flourishes with a little more space and freedom. The prop is aggressive, loud and influential.
“She’s got great on-field communication. You can hear her all over the field,” Dauser said. “She’s a strong, tough runner and really good in set pieces. I would love it if we could drive [scrums] in high school because she would be devastating.”
Had the fall evolved for the girls, Dauser anticipated a fourth meeting between current state champion Grandville and Sparta-Rock in the 2020 title match.
“We haven’t won enough matches yet, but we have a good rivalry with Grandville,” Dauser said. “I don’t have the main focal athlete that I’ve had in the past but skill wise this is the best team I’ve ever had. Everyone’s a threat.”
Sparta-Rock has been practicing once per week, mostly ball skills but some bag work as well. With fewer obligations came more availability, and Davenport University hired Dauser as the women’s forwards coach this year. The Panthers are practicing three times per week but it’s a five-day-a-week position. Sparta-Rock assistant coach McKenzie Koval – who is also a founding member of the high school team – has stepped up her presence in Dauser’s absence.
So while there is no fall season in Michigan, Sparta-Rock will have something tangible on which to build when the unwieldy spring approaches. The SGB will resume competition conversations in December, and Dauser hopes the membership will be flexible when considering options.