CHICAGO — You're never too young to play rugby.
That's the message behind Vincent Johnson's video featuring him and his 1-year-old son, William, passing a rugby ball back and forth while William sits — and lets out a burp — in his crib.
Johnson, of Bronzeville, recently posted the video on the Chicago Wapiti Youth Rugby Club's website and Facebook page as a way to promote the sport.
"I have all sorts of videos and photos of my kids with rugby balls. It's just something I do," said Johnson, a professional photographer who coaches his 5-year-old son, Alexander, on the rugby club's under-7 team.
The club, which practices at Revere Park in North Center and plays games at Altgeld Park in East Garfield Park, has about 120 players between the ages of 4 and 18.
The club, which was founded in 2011, begins its tackle season (fifth grade and up) on Jan. 25. Rookie rugby season (touch rugby) starts April 12.
Seventy-eight players were a part of Wapiti's first season, and that number has steadily increased, said Johnson, a former club rugby player from Joliet.
"The popularity is increasing because you only really need cleats and shorts and a mouth guard," Johnson said. "It's a nice, cost-effective sport."
In October, four members of the world's most famous rugby team, New Zealand's All Blacks, ran drills with the Wapiti club in Chicago prior to their game against the U.S. national club in Soldier Field. Johnson said more than 100 Wapiti players were present.
As far as his sons, Johnson said his 1-year-old already has a taste for the game.
"I think he likes rugby more than his big brother does," Johnson said.
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