JACKSONVILLE – Rugby is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and Melissa Butler wants high school girls to be involved.

The Rugby World Cup is the third largest sporting event in the world, second only to the FIFA World Cup and the Summer Olympics. It is also one of the fastest-growing sports on college campuses.

For women, rugby is an NCAA Division I and II emerging sport, but it is not currently an NCAA sport for men. Rugby teams are currently in place at 58 colleges in America, primarily on the East Coast.

The Duval Tides is open to any girl from Clay County. The team will practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Fort Family Park, 8000 Baymeadows Road E., in Jacksonville, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

No tryouts will be conducted, and no experience is necessary. Players at all skill levels are welcome. For more information on how to register, email Jaxgirlsrugby@gmail.com or visit @jaxgirlshsrugby on Facebook and Instagram.

Coaches and fans praise women’s rugby as a sport that teaches girls how powerful their own bodies can be. Rugby positions are suited for various sizes and skills, from height and strength to speed and agility. It is a continuous game with few stops that teaches quick decision-making skills and builds physical endurance. Local rugby leaders celebrate the game’s ability to promote teamwork at every level, a skill that serves girls throughout their lives.

“Duval Tides is a wonderful opportunity for young women in our community to build confidence and strength, both on the pitch and in the classroom,” Butler said. “We are a new team and looking for young women who want to join our pioneering team and make an impact on the next generation of female players in their communities nationwide.”