FORT SILL, Okla., March 24, 2016 -- The Fort Sill Rugby team will have tryouts at Prichard Field, April 3, from 2-4 p.m. The team, established in 1971, has seen both large and small numbers and in the past year suffered from many of their teammates moving to a new duty station or exiting the military. Now, Capt. Paul Kilgore, a gunnery instructor with B Battery, 1st Battalion, 30th Field Artillery, hopes open tryouts will help strengthen the team.

"We wanted to get the word out that the rugby team is back," said Kilgore. "The team had been out for almost a year and we want people to know we're back and going to be competitive as early as this summer."

Tryouts are open to anyone, however priority is given to active-duty Soldiers, family members and Department of the Army civilians. Women are welcome to try out for the team as well.

"We will be playing against all-men's teams so there may be a risk of injury for the women, but they can come out," said Kilgore. "Back in 2010 we had a woman who came out and practiced with us two or three times."

Kilgore said while having rugby experience is a bonus, it is not required. Interested players need only the willingness to learn the game. During tryouts, he said he will be looking for speed along with passing and catching abilities, however, regardless of athletic ability, physical strength or speed, Kilgore said rugby is a sport where everyone is welcome.

"There is a place for everyone," he said. "If you're a bigger guy who isn't as fast or if you are a speed merchant, there is a place for you. It's not about rugby so much as it is about getting together on a Sunday afternoon, throwing the ball around and having fun. Everyone can contribute to the team."

Once members join the team Kilgore said the only equipment players need are cleats and a mouth guard. The rest is provided by Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation to include jerseys and even some travel expenses. For those who would like some additional practice before tryouts, He welcomes them to come to rugby practices at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays or on Sundays at 2 p.m. at Prichard Field.

"It's kind of unstructured and a small group so it might be better for new players," he said.

There are two seasons for the rugby team -- the regular season, where teams of 15 compete against each other, and sevens, where seven players make up a team. Sevens is what will be played in the Olympics and there is also an All-Army Rugby team whose players will travel to Colorado Springs, Colo., to participate in the military national tournament at the end of August.

"Traditionally we have one or two All-Army players every year," said Kilgore. The sevens season begins in May and the regular season begins in October.

He said he hopes to have enough members to have players on the field and on reserve. For the regular season, the team can take 22 players but for the sevens season, the Fort Sill Rugby Team can enter two different teams of 12.

"I would be pleased with 14 people (at tryouts)," said Kilgore. "If we had 20 I would be absolutely ecstatic."

For more information about the team or tryouts, call the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's sports office at 580-442-3269 or call Kilgore at 515-782-5582.