Honoring the game and culture of rugby goes to the ROOTS of the matter — R-O-O-T-S. This is our code for achieving the highest degree of sportsmanship and camaraderie amongst all participants in rugby: players, parents, coaches, officials and spectators.
Each letter in ROOTS stands for an important part of rugby that we must respect:
Just remember and say "ROOTS!" to honor the game and culture of rugby.
Respect for: Rules Opponents Officials Teammates Self
The "feed," or social, is special aspect of rugby culture used to promote camaraderie, friendship, sportsmanship and mutual respect amongst competitors, and also to say thank you to our coaches, referees and supporters.
For a feed, the host (or home) team is expected to prepare a full meal picnic style to be shared by everyone associated with the match just completed. There are no sides in the feed - everyone is expected to mingle. In the AYRU the host team parents are responsible for preparing the food and beverages. All costs are reimbursed by the AYRU. The feed should commence immediately upon the last match ending.
Sitting down and enjoying a meal with our competition, making friends, telling stories and exagerating each others' play on the field, is symbolic of the highest degree of sportsmanship we expect from everyone assoiciated with the game of rugby. This is why everyone in rugby all around the world considers each other a friend regardless of what side of the field they played on. First and foremost we are rugby players, and second we are competitors.
So, join us at the feed in celebrating the greatness of rugby!