Rugby: What’s in my Kit Bag
With the Autumn internationals just round the corner, many of you might be thinking about giving rugby a go. Sometimes getting involved in a brand-new sport can be scary because you don’t know what to expect and what you will need to take with you for your first session.
Here at bsporty, we have got you covered! Our resident rugby expert, Stella Mills, has compiled a few must haves for your new kit bag below. For the pocket money holders (hey parents, we see you), we have split the list into two parts with the non-negotiables and added extras.
First day starter kit
Rugby Boots
This is probably the most important bit of kit. Rugby is an outdoor sport, and is often played on grassy, muddy pitches. The studs on the bottom of your boots will help you to have more grip during training. Also, if the ground is slightly harder, you can wear football boots! You can pick up a pair of boots from most good sports shops, but if you aren’t sure about rugby and just want to try it out you can always ask your local club if they have a spare pair of boots for you to borrow before you fully dive into that rugby lifestyle.
Gum shield
Most rugby players wear gum shields when they do full contact, to protect their teeth. You might not need this for your first session, but probably will if you’re U9’s and above, and we think it’s always best to be prepared. You can buy so many different colours and styles but be sure to mould the gum shield before you go to training by following the instructions on the back of the packet!
Shorts
Usually rugby players train in shorts, and although leggings can now be worn, we would advise getting used to training and playing in shorts. Try to find a few pairs that you feel comfortable moving around in, see if you can easily run, squat, jump and kick in the shorts to make sure they will really work for you.
Water bottle
Trust us when we say you will need this one! Nothing fancy needed here, just be sure you can easily grab a quick drink between drills!
Added extras
Layers
As the winter months come creeping in, you will be training in colder temperatures and it’s important to keep your body warm. A range of options are available. Some players feel comfortable with a long sleeve base layer which fits under their training shirt, whereas others prefer a classic hoodie. Just be careful, as often coaches might ask you to remove hoodies with drawstrings or zips if you are doing contact for safety purposes. Also, some younger players choose to wear gloves for training for when the temperatures really do drop down.
Towel
You will get muddy, you will get wet, but you will have fun! Sometimes it’s handy to have a small microfibre towel in your kit bag to wipe yourself down after training.
Post training snack
If you have been running around for a long time, you’ll probably be hungry. It’s often helpful to pack a small snack that you can munch on for the journey home! Although, some rugby clubs do offer a tuck shop for after training, so it might be useful to bring a little bit of pocket money too!
