West Side High School’s Lady Rough Riders Flag Football Players Get Rugby Lessons from England’s Red Roses

NEWARK, N.J. – West Side High School’s Lady Rough Riders are accustomed to moving the ball downfield. On Thursday, members of England’s Red Roses women’s rugby team introduced them to a new challenge: moving forward while passing backward.

The visiting players – Kelsey Clifford, May Campbell, and Christiana Balogun – joined West Side’s Flag Football team for a hands-on introduction to rugby, leading exercises in passing, ball handling, and scoring before the students put their new skills into practice in a flag rugby game. Organized with World Rugby, the sport’s global governing body, the session connected Newark student-athletes with international competitors and offered an opportunity to explore another women’s sport.

“Experiences like this expand our students’ understanding of what is possible,” said Superintendent León. “Meeting athletes who compete internationally gives our young women an opportunity to learn about the discipline, preparation, and perseverance that success requires. We thank World Rugby and the visiting players for sharing their skills and experiences with our students.”

The visit was part of World Rugby’s community outreach ahead of a Saturday doubleheader at Sports Illustrated Stadium featuring the United States women against England and the United States men against Australia. West Side High School technology coordinator Carlos Oliveira, who coaches the Monmouth Renegades women’s rugby team, helped arrange the England Red Roses’ visit.

For the Lady Rough Riders, adjusting to rugby’s passing rules provided a challenge—and plenty of laughter. Players learned to pass the ball laterally or backward, support their teammates from behind the ball carrier, and touch the ball to the ground to score a try.

Quarterback Lanae Johnson said her flag football instincts initially made the adjustment difficult.

“I’m used to throwing the ball forward. I’m a QB,” Johnson said. “It was very confusing, but it was something very amazing to be open to, so I’m glad that I came down here today.”

Senior Victoria Hawkins described the experience as “awesome,” saying the unfamiliar game quickly became an exciting opportunity to have fun with her teammates.

“I never experienced something like that,” Hawkins said. “It’s a lot of adrenaline rushing.”

As for Arianna Rodriguez, she was hooked on the sport.

“I loved the rugby experience,” she said. “It was very fast-paced and non-stop. “The unusual part was you have to be behind the player with the ball.”

“Our Lady Rough Riders are competitors, and it was exciting to see them embrace the challenge of learning a new sport,” said Principal Akbar Cook. “They asked questions, encouraged one another, and kept working at skills that felt unfamiliar. I thank Carlos Oliveira for helping bring this opportunity to West Side and our guests for giving our students an experience they will remember.”

The session also gave students a chance to ask the visiting players about the demands of international rugby. Their questions focused on maintaining motivation through extended periods of play and recovering from injuries. The players discussed the preparation behind their performance, including preseason training, strength and conditioning, and support during rehabilitation.

World Rugby Community Engagement Representative Janet Kean explained that visits like the one at West Side are intended to bring the sport to new audiences while building connections in the communities hosting international matches.

“We try and introduce the game to non-rugby people,” Kean said.

One of the first fundamentals Kean taught was that the term “touchdown” originated in rugby. Players who make it to the end zone must touch the ball down the ground for the play to count for five points. 

“Watching accomplished women athletes share their knowledge with our students is a powerful reminder of the value of these connections,” said Newark Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “Our student-athletes deserve opportunities to explore their interests, develop their talents, and see where those talents can take them. We appreciate everyone who made this visit possible.”

Students also considered how the experience could help them on the flag football field. They pointed to the constant movement, quick reactions, different ways of catching the ball, and determination required to keep playing.