Sports addicts...your advice

[1 Clean WS6]

I guess I already know the answer to my own question but I figured I'll see what you all think....



Anyone who has ever played the sport of rugby knows that once you do it becomes a part of you...a blood oath to the sport if you will. I've played football and wrestled on a high school and collegiate level but none compared to the rush of playing rugby. It is one of those sports that challenges every physical attribute you have (endurance, strength and dexterity) while being one of the most team oriented sports out there. The very nature of the sport brings comradery to a new level. The best teams are not always the biggest and strongest but rather the ones that have fifteen individuals playing as one.



I haven't played a full match since college in which I played for four years and eight seasons (there is a fall and spring season). For the past year or so I have been helping out a local HS team. The head coach and assistant are both South African and well seasoned in the sport. They are, however, older than I being in their late 40's while I am 32 (I'll be 33 in August). Neither tries to go full steam with the 16-18 year olds at practice so I am the one that runs around with them and goes full bore. I am 5'8" but weigh 220lbs and have a 35" waist...I'm in shape.



Last week the head coach of the HS team had one of his friends that plays on the local mens team the "Old Whites" www.atlantarugby.com come to the practice to look things over. He came up to me after practice and said that I could pretty much walk on and start at my position (flanker) on the team. I told him I would think about it...and so enter my dilemma.



I would love to play on an organized level again but I detail for a living. If I get hurt that means no income. We have health benefits through my wife's work but I still would not be able to produce money if I sustained an injury....I don't sit behind a desk all day.



I would love to play again because I know my body has a "sell by" date attached to it. I've abused it a lot for the past 32 years but it will hold together for a few more...this is my one and only window to do this again.



I would love to play again because my wife and I don't have children and don't plan on having any for a few years. Once the children come...this won't even be an option to consider.



So what should I do?? Go crack heads one last time and enjoy the sport for all its worth or just realize that those "glory days" have long since passed and go on about my life.



As an aside this could be a great business venture as I could pretty much guarantee jobs being generated from the exposure!!!

 

[imported_Gears]

Go for it!

 

[cwcad]

IF you can justify the sport by a gain in business it might be well worth it. But one must weigh that with the potential loss of work thru injury. Would you gain enough to cover the potential loss?



I quit playing in any sports at age 32 because the body does not heal as it once did. The heart was there. So was the body and mind. The healing powers of the body would be the only weak link in the entire equation.



I could not afford any missing days. Working as a union equipment operator one only gets paid for the time in the seat. Not sitting at home. I did not even put the expense of the repair(dr.bills) into my thoughts.



I wish you all the best. For I feel that you are going to be having a good time playing Rugby.

 

[imported_Neothin]

Ahh! Another rugby player, heck, another wing forward at that! Blind side or open side may I ask? I've played blind for 2 1/2 years now. You're right, rugby is one of those sports that you just can't get away from. I've been hooked ever since the first practice in early 11th grade of high school (first ever high school team in florida).



I know that you may not want to hear this, but rugby as you know is a very physical sport (though not as barbaric as many believe it to be). I hurt the day after a well fought battle on the pitch. Though I have never been seriously injured, I have seen some of the guys have their arm broken in half while blocking a punt and another had his collarbone broke in 3 places after he got leveled after receiving a kickoff. These are the kinds of things that you never plan for but ultimately will happen. If this happens to me, it isnt a big deal. I'm still living at home. I don't have to support myself, let alone family members with my income. You on the other hand, you have a wife to take care of. Unless you can afford to miss days, even weeks of work, I think that you should just keep to your coaching job. Besides, if this guy says you have a starting position without ever seeing you actually play, that must mean the other team members must not be the greatest players... I wouldn't want to come in being one of the better players without working my way up over time.

 

[Lowejackson]

If you can afford the risk of injury - go for it. If not, teach someone else