Women's Rugby in Santa Barbara with the Mermaids
No experience necessary. The Mermaids play competitive rugby, teach the game from scratch, and welcome all women and nonconforming players 18 and over.
- Tue & Thu · 7–9 PM
- Elings Park, Soccer Field 2
- Practice Oct–Mar
- 18 and over
Practice and games
15s practices run every Tuesday and Thursday, 7–9 PM, on Soccer Field 2 at Elings Park, from October to March. Games run roughly January to May, with the Mermaids playing women's teams from across California in tournaments about once or twice a month.
The Mermaids have played competitive rugby in Santa Barbara since 2015 and compete in the Southern California Senior Women's Division II.
- 15s practice
- Tuesday and Thursday, 7–9 PM, October to March
- Where
- Elings Park, Soccer Field 2, 1298 Las Positas Rd, Santa Barbara. Get directions
- Games
- Roughly January to May
- Summer
- Co-ed touch rugby at Chase Palm Park, April to September
- Who
- All women and nonconforming players, 18 and over
Summer touch rugby
From April to September the club plays co-ed touch rugby with the Grunion at Chase Palm Park, Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 PM until sunset. Touch is light contact and relaxed, which makes it an easy first taste of the game.
Who plays
The squad is a mix of young professionals, college students, moms, first-time players and rugby veterans from Goleta, Santa Barbara and the neighboring cities. Rugby needs every kind of player: small, tall, strong, fast and scrappy. You don't need any experience, and you'll get fitter by playing.
The Mermaids play full-contact rugby, and coaches keep practice safe and fun. Tell a coach ahead of time about any injury or concern.
What to bring
Clothes you can run in, boots if you have them (trainers are fine to start), water and a mouthguard if you have one. Take off jewelry, including piercings, before contact.
Stay in the loop
The Mermaids share practice updates, events and workouts on Discord. Email santabarbararugby@gmail.com and they'll send you the invite link.