Outside the Ames Iowa middle school, on a cold Monday evening. The Ames Atomics, A rugby club for high schoolers are practicing. Despite the bitter Iowa wind and the temperature of early spring. These few boys are having fun. Most of them go to Ames High and practicepte in athletics such as football or wrestling. This sport is unsanctioned in the state of Iowa. This means that there is no benefit to playing except for love of the game. No athletic recognition, no letter for playing varsity. In Iowa in High school they play 7s which means there are a minimum of 7 players. Last year there was only about 10 people on the team which means everyone was playing for a lots of minutes.
Atomic Rugby is a club of Ames High School and is coached by Aidan Lewis who is an Iowa state Rugby player. Ames used to have a program about 15-20 years ago, but hadn't until last year. Aidan spearheaded and found the resources and put his own money into the program. He wants more people to get into the game. Last year there was only 7 players and now the team has around 14 players.
This program is different it cost nothing to particapte in and is encourced to just come and try. The Name comes from the Ames National Lab at Iowa states connection to the manhattan project. WHich was isolating uranium which lead to the creator of the atomic bomb. This communtiy is still new and Is going to be exicting what it turns into with such a strong organzation.