Sooner sports are kicking off across campus, but NCAA Division-1 teams are not the only action in town.

The OU rugby programs for the men and women are gearing up for another competitive season.

The women’s team, OU Roses, has been on campus for many years representing some of the best athletes OU has to offer.

Head coach Tracy Curtis said she felt the team did very well last season by winning most of their games while representing OU.

“We are ambassadors for OU, and we take that seriously as we win on behalf of OU at national tournaments around the USA,” Curtis said.

The Roses hopes to continue these winning ways this fall.

The team will be traveling throughout the United States, including a tournament at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M. The Roses will also feature ten of the Big 12 teams at its home tournament, War of the Roses.

One of the advantages of OU rugby is players of all skill levels are welcome.

“All are welcome to play, so come out and be part of the longest-standing women’s sport on campus,” Curtis said.

Opportunities are also available for guys to work out at the pitch this fall.

The men’s team had routinely been competitive and just fell short in last year’s playoffs to the Air Force Academy by a mere three points.

Coach Ken Forehand said that overall the group showed a lot of promise last year and matured as a team.

This year’s team returns a group of experienced players as well as many newcomers, Forehand said.

“We also always have a surprise when we pick up someone who has never played and turns out to be a star for us,” Forehand said.

Traveling is also a significant component of the men’s rugby team. This fall, the Sooners will host the Big 12 tournament, as well as travel to Nebraska and Oklahoma State for conference matches.

Forehand said the team is always looking for new recruits and many matches will be scheduled to develop new players skills.