The Edina Rugby Team went on a trip in the United Kingdom to learn more about the game. “The team is going to get world-class experience and training from some of the best teams in the world,” said junior Ezra Sergent-Leventhal before the trip. They were in England for six days, as they left on Feb. 11 and returned on Feb. 17.

The team stayed in Gloucester and Rugby, England. “Gloucester is a city famous for its Cathedral. Rugby is the place where the game was invented,” said Sergent-Leventhal. For a little geographic help, Gloucester is west of London and Rugby is northwest of London in central England.

The team played matches against Old Richians Rugby Football Club (with a win of twenty-seven points to zero), and Bilton RFC (with another win of twenty-eight to fourteen). The team also watched a professional Rugby Union game between Leicester and Gloucester.

To help provide funding for some athletes who wanted to go on the trip but couldn’t afford it, “[The team] had numerous flower sales, a garage sale, and a dinner party,” said Sergent-Leventhal.

Other than playing rugby and travelling, the team headed to the Alnwick Castle thirty miles outside of Newcastle, where most of the Harry Potter films were shot. In addition, they went to see the Webb Ellis Museum, which honors the man who allegedly created the sport of rugby.

“Nowhere in the U.S. do we [get the] opportunity to train with English National Team members as we do here,” said Sergent-Leventhal. Teammates agreed that this trip will change their respect for the sport. “Visiting the city of Rugby allowed us to gain an appreciation of the history of rugby that we will not soon forget,” said Sergent-Leventhal.

Upon the team’s return, senior John Stych said, “The trip was a totally rockin’ time.” For the team members who were able to attend, there was lots of time to grow closer. And as for their matches in England? “We killed it,” said Stych.