Learning to Play Rugby
It might shock some of you that playing a good game of flag football or a pick up game of basketball is near the top of the list of things that I miss most from back home. Since no one plays those sports over here and we live a small town there’s never really a pick-up game of any kind around here. Leaving me yearning to find something… anything.
Well, after 3 years of looking I finally found a weekend game of rugby in town. The only problem is, I’ve never played rugby before and I barely understand all the rules. I knew it would be quite humbling, but I wanted to play something so bad it was worth the embarrassment. It all started off too perfect. The first time Josh and I went out to play they were picking teams and I just saw it coming a mile aways. It started getting down to the last few people and we had yet to be picked. Flashbacks to kickball in elementary school we’re running through my mind. So yes, Josh and I were the last two people picked. Even the 10 year kid was picked for us. Seriously, it really happened. It was pretty funny.
I’ve been out twice now and think I’m getting better, thought I’m still trying to learn all the rules. I didn’t grow up watching the sport so everything is pretty new to me. Think of it as mix between soccer, because the ball is always moving, and football, because you’re running with the ball down field as people are trying to tackle you. You can also kick the ball forward, but can’t through it forward. See why I’m confused. To make things even tougher they don’t speak much English when where playing, so I’ll have no idea why things happen.
Good Times!
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About Me

My name is Dave Ditges and I'm Florida native who moved out to South Africa in 2005 to serve along side Thrive Africa.
I head up the creative department as well as taking on the role of the resident "tech guy" in the office.
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Recent Writings
- Wrapping Up Mission Teams
- Coming Home for Christmas
- It’s All About Passion
- One Busy Month
- Google helping out
- How does Facebook know?
- Talk about “pay at the pump”
- The “untitled” curriculum that will change Africa.
- Trip to Botswana
- The Last Few Projects
Archive of all my posts
Daniel said...
Dave
Keep at it. It was the same thing for me in the UK when I lived over there with Cricket. I was always the last picked but eventually got better.
Daniel in JAX
Natalie said...
You are brave.