The Rebellion: L.A.'s Inclusive Team
Rugby is a usually full of tough men, and the Los Angeles Rebellion is no different. Their practices ring with the screams of burly men barking orders.
The smack of full body-to-body contact also cuts through the cold air as they practice at Yosemite Recreation Center in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles.
However, mixed with the large men are smaller men – at times, much smaller men. Upon closer inspection, there is a woman also holding her own in the scrum.
Welcome to the Rebellion RFC.
The rugby club team is one of only a few rugby teams in the Los Angeles area. They play in the lower skilled Division III rugby in the Southern California Rugby Football Union.
They also have one of the most diverse teams in the city. On a sweeping glance, most racial groups can be accounted for during practice.
How did they accomplish this?
The Rebellion states on its web page they “have a place for all types. Younger or older, heavy or thin, gay, straight or whatever…we are just here to play rugby and have a good time.”
“Gay, straight or whatever…”
The Rebellion is the only team to explicitly state in its description that they accept players regardless of their sexual orientation.
Experience does not seem to be an issue either.
Beginners can join the team, and learn the ins and outs of the sport while learning from veterans. It is a steep learning curve to pick up such a fast-paced sport, but the more seasoned players bring them along patiently.
It is this kind of open acceptance that makes the L.A. Rebellion one more the unique rugby clubs in the Los Angeles area.
