Varisty girls rugby team North Pitt United to take the field this spring

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, February 2, 2018 | 8:57 PM

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A varsity girls rugby team composed mainly of players from northern Allegheny and southern Butler counties has enough manpower to take to the field this spring.

North Pitt United is scheduled to play seven games.

The club tried to field a squad last year, but had only 11 players, short of the 15 needed. Only scrimmages were held.

This year, about 20 girls have come out.

Students in grades eight through 12 from any school are invited to join.

Coach Alex Gralia said team members so far are from the North Allegheny, North Hills, Avonworth, McGuffey, Canon-McMillan, Seneca Valley, Mars, Pine-Richland and Fox Chapel Area school districts.

Club director Jesse Danka said players do not need athletic experience.

“We can mold anyone,” he said.

Danka said players have to be able to pass, tackle, run with the ball, defend and run in a confined space.

Practices, which started in December, are held on Saturdays at the Wildwood Sports Complex in Hampton. Home games are played at J.C. Stone Field in North Park.

The club will open the season March 18 with a friendly at Moon. Its first Rugby Pennsylvania game will be March 25, at home, against Kiski Valley.

McGuffey junior Molly Helbley travels from Washington County to play, but said it is worth it.

“I really enjoy the sport,” she said. “(It) kind of proves girls can be as aggressive as guys.”

Helbley said people are surprised a timid, gentle person such as herself plays a contact sport.

“(It gets) you out of your shell,” said Helbley, adding she was looking for something more aggressive after playing tennis, track and being in a marching band.

North Allegheny freshman Makenna Tuman said her parents are still kind of scared about her playing, while Mars senior Ellie Hall said her father, a former player, was ecstatic she decided to play.

Hall said the team, sport and coaches are great.

Seneca Valley senior Carlee Haser has played dek hockey and ridden horses, but said the bonds she has formed in rugby are closer than any other.

“The girls on the team are amazing,” she said.

North Pitt United is fielding a varsity boys team for the third season.

Over the summer, Danka said, 32 boys and girls in grades first through sixth played flag rugby, which has no contact.

“We've grown,” Danka said.

For details on any of the programs, call Danka at 724-882-3131 or email him at northpittunited@gmail.com.

Karen Kadilak is a Tribune-Review contributor.