Over 40 (Almost 50) and ready to play Rugby...Help

ThisIsMyTime

So I am 48 years old and I have been thinking about playing rugby for years, but have never pulled the trigger thinking I was past my window to play. I was a serious athlete most of my life until I wasn't, I can't say when I why it happened I just stopped...then I went from 5' 11" and 190 to 274 in short order! Now at 48 I am down to 195 and working towards 185. I lift both traditional and non-traditional styles 3-4 times a week, and do some cardio 3 times a week...all that said I know I am not anywhere near ready for rugby. I am based in Santa Rosa, CA and would love to play a great team sport again. Here are my asks of the rugby world:
1. How do I know what position I should play? What determines the position?
2. How do I get ready to play competitive rugby? Please help me build a training plan to be able to compete...
3. Is there anything I should look for in a rugby club? Are there teams, leagues, etc for guys over 40, 45? 
I will keep this thread going and write about my experiences and keep looking for help. I know it is going to be hard, but I really want to see how far I can go with this.

The Lost Sheep

There is vets rugby but how established that is in California i dont know. Its very difficult t say what position you should play. Look to join a club and see how training goes as that will determine your position.
Well if your 90kg or so then you could play a lot of positions.
You really need to get rugby specific training as if you do cardio and weights your general fitness will be fine and best way to get rugby specific training is join rugby club and train with them as much as possible.

irishbucsfan

There is definitely vets rugby in CA but maybe not Santa Rosa

errlloyd

I'd love to hear about your experiences mate. I'll see if I have a few mates out in Cali playing rugby who might know more.

Either way, buy a ball and carry it around for a few weeks. Take it with you when you go running, or walk the dog, or whatever it is you do. Get used to gripping it. It helps.

Garfin

https://www.usarugby.org/find-a-club/

ThisIsMyTime

So I am a little put off. Every rugby player I have ever met has been really cool and super friendly. I reached out to the club in Santa Rosa and expressed my interest (not once but three times in two weeks!)...and have not heard anything back, not even "sorry but we don't have space for you at this time"...
Is this normal? Did I miss something?

I love the bonds that rugby generates for guys, and being new to Santa Rosa was looking for that with the club.

Weird...

blackdog1

ThisIsMyTime wrote:

So I am 48 years old and I have been thinking about playing rugby for years, but have never pulled the trigger thinking I was past my window to play. I was a serious athlete most of my life until I wasn't, I can't say when I why it happened I just stopped...then I went from 5' 11" and 190 to 274 in short order! Now at 48 I am down to 195 and working towards 185. I lift both traditional and non-traditional styles 3-4 times a week, and do some cardio 3 times a week...all that said I know I am not anywhere near ready for rugby. I am based in Santa Rosa, CA and would love to play a great team sport again. Here are my asks of the rugby world: 1. How do I know what position I should play? What determines the position? 2. How do I get ready to play competitive rugby? Please help me build a training plan to be able to compete... 3. Is there anything I should look for in a rugby club? Are there teams, leagues, etc for guys over 40, 45? I will keep this thread going and write about my experiences and keep looking for help. I know it is going to be hard, but I really want to see how far I can go with this.

Go to santa Monica rugby club. They play beach rugby every week and go from there. Great bunch of lads and a good few irish lads there.

irishbucsfan

blackdog1 wrote: »

Go to santa Monica rugby club. They play beach rugby every week and go from there. Great bunch of lads and a good few irish lads there.

I would have suggested Santa Monica... But its a 8 hour drive from where he is...

él statutorio

I'd suggest just going down to where ever they play and train. Ideally go down on a match day, I know the local side where I am appreciate the support and a lot of the older heads can be found in the "bar" (it's really just a garden shed where they sell beer). The folks there should be able to put you in touch with the right people.

Garfin

Looks like there are two clubs in the town, get down to a match/training introduce yourself and go from there, that's the beauty of rugby just show up and get to know people. Don't get put off that easily, if you are there in person you can get a much better feel for what the set up is and where you fit. The 15s season will be winding down over the next month, 6 weeks so strike while the iron is hot, probably be 7s, Beach Rugby for the summer. Best of Luck

ThisIsMyTime

Thank you all for the great advice and comments. I will definitely make it to a match.

Garfin

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I would have suggested Santa Monica... But its a 8 hour drive from where he is...

And that's without driving home he would really have to be keen

masseyno9

From my experience (in Canada) I would not get discouraged by a lack of email response. Until I took over our club's email accounts last year, it was monitored very little and responded to even less. Not sure if it's the off-season or not down there, but that could be another reason for lack of response. We play summer rugby up here because everything is frozen int he winter.Also, for the record, we have had guys 55+ play in a somewhat competitive environment, so don't feel limited by the 'old boys' or 'vets' leagues!
Best of luck and fair play for going for it!