Albuquerque Youth Rugby United

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:

• R is for Rules – The rules of rugby are what allow us to keep the game fair.  Respect for the rules is important.  Every player must strive to play by the rules, even if they think they won’t get caught breaking them.  Breaking the rules dishonors the game, even if it means that a team can win.
• O is for Opponents – Without opponents, we could not have games.  A good opponent makes us do our best.  Sometimes our opponents are friends of ours.  We must respect our opponents, and remember they are out there to compete fairly and have fun just like us.  We should try our hardest to win, not because of hate for our opponents but because we want to play our best.  All participants must promise that they will show respect for opposing coaches, teams and spectators, and we expect them to do the same.
• O is for Officials – It is very important to respect officials. Often, this can be the most difficult part of honoring the game, so we need to remember to keep it as a focus when we play and cheer for our teams.  Officials have been selected and trained to enforce rules, and they have a very hard job.  They volunteer their time to help us have games.  Without the officials the game would be unsafe and unfair.  Officials are not perfect (just like coaches, athletes and parents!) and sometimes they make mistakes.  However, there is no excuse for treating officials with disrespect when they make errors.  We must all show respect for officials even when we disagree with the call.
• T is for Teammates – A big part of rugby is the team, where everyone is close like good friends if not like a big family.  Being with your teammates should be fun.  Working together is important: Together Everyone Achieves More.  Teammates commit to work hard together and encourage and support each other on and off the playing field even when mistakes are made.
• S is for Self – Some people only honor the game when their opponents do, but we honor the game no matter what the other team or its fans do.  In rugby we honor the game and our ROOTS even when others don’t because we set and live up to our own high standards no matter what.  All of us, players, parents, coaches, officials and spectators, have so much respect for ourselves that we would never do anything to dishonor the game.  

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!