High School Rugby is Under Attack at Valhalla High School.

For the past three years, the Valkyrie and Norsemen Rugby Clubs have been able to practice after their classes at Valhalla High School to compete in the Southern California competitive high school rugby season.

During that time, both the Valkyries and the Norsemen have experienced great success, student athletes of every size, shape and ability have found a sport they can excel in and are welcomed to, and parents have enthusiastically embraced rugby as a sport dedicated to promoting good sportsmanship, character and leadership in their children.

The first year, Valhalla High School representatives were so impressed with the performance of the Valkyries that they hosted a meeting to discuss making rugby a "school sport." We were in great support! At that years graduation, the Principal even applauded the fact that it was the first year that rugby had been played in the stadium! Shortly thereafter, after meeting with district risk assessment, they backpedaled and refused to accept rugby as a "school sport." We were disappointed, but continued to work together with rugby being an ASB club and we rented the Valhalla High School athletic fields.

This year, Valhalla has NOW refused to allow Valkyrie and Norsemen Rugby to EVEN RENT THEIR FIELDS. Because the students THEMSELVES have adopted rugby as a school sport WITHOUT the administration doing so formally, they WANT TO SHUT RUGBY DOWN COMPLETELY at Valhalla.

This will keep over 60 student athletes from having space to practice - and because of the lack of available field space in East County San Diego - jeopardizes the teams' ability to even compete in the upcoming SCYR season.

HELP US KEEP RUGBY AT VALHALLA HIGH SCHOOL BY SIGNING THIS PETITION, and contacting the VHS administration with your support!

Principal Mary Beth Kastan, (619) 593-5311, mkastan@guhsd.net

VHS Athletic Director Robert Wilson, (619) 593-5344, rwilson@guhsd.net

Dr. Tim Glover, GUHSD Superintendent, (619) 644-8132 tglover@guhsd.net