Jackson's Oldest Rugby Club Is Back — and Anyone Can Play
In most Southern cities, you would expect to find football, baseball, and basketball, but Jackson is also home to one of the oldest rugby clubs in the state.
A Field in Belhaven, Open to Anyone
On Sunday afternoons at Murrah High School in Belhaven, the practice football field transforms into a rugby pitch. Some of the players have played for years, others are brand new and all are welcome. The ball moves fast, and most of the folks playing are learning as they go.
The Jackson Rugby Football Club has been part of the city longer than most people realize. Founded in 1974, the club has a subtle but deep history in Jackson. Ask around and someone will tell you their dad used to play, or that they remember games from years back, and many folks have photos of teams lined up shoulder to shoulder to prove it.
A Club Rebuilt, One Sunday at a Time
Like a lot of groups, the club lost some momentum during COVID. Practices slowed down, fewer people showed up and for a while, it looked like the end of an era.
Then Mitchell McGinnis found it by accident. He was sitting in the stands at the Olympics in Paris, watching rugby live for the first time. "I thought it was so cool," he said. On a whim, he pulled out his phone and searched for rugby in Jackson. He didn't expect much. "I figured there was nothing."
You can always play two-hand touch, and if the weather is bad, it doesn't matter," says head coach and experienced player Chris Mendonca. At practice, they typically start with two-hand touch, then work into full contact. Games are tackle, but the sport is uplifting for those willing to come out and play. Coach Mendonca says, "I love coaching, but I love seeing young people find belonging, purpose, and self-esteem through the [rugby] community."
Everyone's Welcome on the Pitch
The team reflects the kind of mix you don't always expect in Jackson. Players come from all over — Oregon, California, New York, South Africa. Right now, the typical group ranges from about 19 years old to players in their 50s, but kids are always welcome.
Coach Mendonca brings experience from years of playing and coaching overseas, including time in Japan, Germany, and Korea. That shows up in how the team practices, but the atmosphere stays open.
Jackson's Quietly Growing Rugby Scene
For a city known for football and baseball, rugby still flies under the radar, but on the pitch in Belhaven, it feels like it has always belonged, and the passion for the game is blooming.
If you are up for a Sunday Funday in Jackson, come out and play. Find out more about how to join or watch on their website, or by following along on their Instagram account.
