You've seen the players running, kicking and throwing that peculiar football-like object on the lakefront. Ever driven past and wanted to scrape some elbows, roll around in the dirt or maybe just socialize over a cold one?
Milwaukee's rugby clubs encourage anyone and everyone to give it a try; beginner or experienced, young or old, male or female, they want you.
"There is no such thing as trying out," says Joe Kloiber, president of the Milwaukee West Side Harlequins. "If you stick with us and show up for practice it doesn't matter how good or bad you are, you are going to play.
"You have nothing to lose," he adds. "The first year's dues are covered by the team."
Besides this refreshing open door policy, rugby has other benefits: it's a great way to meet new friends, lose a few pounds and soak up some summer sunshine. It can also offer the opportunities of a lifetime. Clubs from Milwaukee travel widely to compete.
"I have been able to travel worldwide because of the sport," says Renee Nehls, president of the Milwaukee Mayhem Rugby Football Club, the city's only women's team.
"The camaraderie (and) the exposure to experience other facets of life (are selling points)," says Nehls, who has been playing the game for nearly a decade. "Go to a training session, play a match and if you decide it is not for you, that's fine. It's not for everyone."
The club encourages women of any experience level to give the game a try and current team members range in age from 20-40. The Mayhem's first scrimmage of the year is set for Sat., March 24.
One of three men's club teams in Milwaukee, the West Side Harlequins -- established in 1975 -- is the 2000 Midwest Division III Champion. Other men's squads are the Milwaukee Rugby Club (the city's oldest, formed in 1968) and the Black and Blue.
Like Nehls, Kloiber points to the social aspects of rugby as one of its draws, calling it "the biggest fraternity in the world."
"You keep contacts with these people they put us up with, they take care of us and feed us," says Kloiber, who has also seen the world, thanks to rubgy. "When they come here we won't let them buy a beer."
"Our club is very close, if someone is moving, 10-15 guys will show up to help," Kloiber adds. "I've hardly ever seen a fight in my 40 years, you leave it on the field. You go out there, you shake hands and the home team takes care of the beer and food for the evening."
The Harlequins, whose season kicks off in Chicago, Sat., March 24, play their home games this season at Waukesha's Minooka Park, but a new home field on Milwaukee's lakefront is slated for completion in 2002.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Rugby Club is the only Division II club in the state. The team, which won the Midwest Central Division Championship, practices Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5-7 p.m., at 1700 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.
UW-Milwaukee and Marquette both field rugby squads at the collegiate level and the game has also found its way into several area high schools.
But don't get too worried, moms. Dr. Michael Blick, a former rugby player and high school rugby coach, doesn't think the game is any more dangerous than other sports.
"(There are) a lot less (serious injuries) than in football," he notes.
For more information on the Milwaukee Mayhem visit their web site at www.milwmayhemrugby.com. Or e-mail milwmayhemprez@hotmail.com
For more information on the Harlequins, contact Joe Cunningham, cunningj@mcw.edu, (414)-479-9293 or Joe Kloiber, joekloiber@hotmail.com, (414)-332-9688, or check out their web site at www.westsideharlequins.com.
