Your Scrumhalf Connection - Women's Rugby Blog

Welcome to the newest edition of Rugby Here & There! There has been tons going on in the rugby world, and in the world outside of rugby. I know, is there a world out there that doesn't involve rugby? Hardly!

• A Quicker Scrum Half Pass
  From Rugby Coach and Wendy Cook
  
  In a recent issue of Rugby Coach, Stephen Aboud, National Coach Development Manager at the Irish RFU, described an alternative way of increasing the speed of your scrum half’s pass. Coming soon in Better Rugby Coaching, Stephen will also look at how improving your player’s foot positions can improve the speed and accuracy of the pass.
  The mechanics of the pass:
  The scrum half pass is like a sling-shot. It has a slow, deliberate start, followed by a long "pull", resulting in the final explosive release of the ball. The traditional key factors for coaching a scrum half (9) pass are:
  
  * A low body position to keep the pass from rising too high.
  * A wide base to help give the player a long sweep to gain distance.
  * A long follow-through with the hands to ensure accuracy.
  
  The challenge is to develop a quicker, more efficient pass while not compromising on accuracy and distance. This is not just about getting the ball there quickly, but also in a manner that is best for the receiver. That means, at the right pace, at the right height, and in the right place. A quick pass is not measured by the speed of the ball. The speed of the ball does not make a quick pass. My definition of a quick pass would be in relation to the time the ball is in the passer's hands. I call this the "T"-time.
  Key measures of a good quick pass:
  
  * Speed: Reduce the "T"-time through the hands.
  * Accuracy: Correct the depth and appropriate height of the pass.
  * Distance: Achieve the required distance to launch attacks.
  * Empathy: Passing for, rather than to the receiver. A pass should begin to decelerate
  rather than still be accelerating when it reaches the fly half (10).
  * Support: After passing, the next function of the passer is to provide support in order to
  maintain quick continuity of play.
  
  In order to achieve these outcomes it is necessary to modify specific key factors of the "traditional pass" and produce a quicker, more flexible pass.
  
  Shorten the "base width" (the distance between the feet)
  A wide base provides more stability and the opportunity to swing the ball longer, resulting in a longer pass. A shorter base is less stable but means the ball spends less time in the hands and moves through the hands quicker ("T"-time).
  The distance of the pass may be shorter initially, but with practice and the other adjustments below, it will not be significantly affected and may even be improved.
  
  Weight-transfer and momentum
  In the pass, the body momentum and therefore weight is better off going towards the receiver. Therefore the scrum half should approach and address the ball from a more side on stance. This also has the benefit of allowing the passer to "see" the receiver for longer, allowing a more accurate pass.
  
  Body-height, head and shoulders
  The traditional pass promoted a lower body position, keeping the head down which kept the pass from rising too high and helped with greater distance and control. However with the adjustments to the approach, base and momentum modifications to body height, head position and shoulder positions must also be changed:
  
  * More bend at the knees than at the waist.
  * Keep the head up (think of a discuss thrower).
  
  
• American Gladiators RETURNS
  
  
  
  I hope this show is as AWESOME as the version I watched when I was a kid. I loved Laser and Blaze...god they were amazing!
  
  
• Gareth Jones Tournament Reminder (Youth Rugby)
  
  Entry form is at www.aggierugby.com/garethjones.htm. Fill it out and send along with payment to the address listed. I cannot reserve a spot until check is in hand. Please note that I can only allow one team per division until Feb. 15, at that time I will allow additional teams from the same club into the same division...as space allows.
  
  Obviously, I want your teams specifically at this tournament as you guys have been supporters to A&M and myself personally, but it is starting to take on a life of it's own. I would encourage all of you to get this done asap. I have been contacted by quite a few schools and I am afraid I might have to turn teams down... I do not want it to be one of yours.
  
  As of right now, all divisions are are contact except the u12's, who are non contact.
  
  Also, the 15's will play 15 min halves and the u12's are 10 minute halves. The field space is absolutely maxed out to the minute and that is with the championship game at 630 pm under the lights. The web page is updated with all required info. Cheers.
  
  
• Tips on Pumping Gas (came to my inbox!)
  
  I don't know what you guys are paying for gasoline. Here in California we are also paying higher, up to $3.50 per gallon. But my line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are some tricks to get more of your money's worth for every gallon. Here at the Kinder Morgan Pipeline where I work in San Jose, CA we deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period thru the pipeline. One day is diesel the next day is jet fuel, and gasoline, regular and premium grades. We have 34-storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons.
  
  1) Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel
  and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role.
  
  2) When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low, middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.
  
  3) One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY. The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation.
  
  4) Another reminder. If there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up--most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.
  
  As we all try to make the world a greener place, I think these tips go a long way!
  
  
• WARNING - IMAGES ARE GRAPHIC
  
  Why to not wear jewelry while playing rugby...click here for the images. WARNING, it is quite graphic.
  
  
• Referee Love!
  
  This email is from my friend Steve, the Swedish guy who reffed the Dallas 7's Debutante Ball! Great work Steve!
  
  One of my Swedish refereeing colleagues (Joacim Gustafsson) was appointed to the match, but on Friday morning I got the message that he was ill and couldn't travel. My initial reaction was - we can't find a replacement and FIRA, the European Rugby Association, in Paris would have to sort it out. However, I had a rethink and thought, why not? So - I e-mailed FIRA, told them the situation and said I could travel, if it was OK with them; they gave the go ahead and I flew to Riga on Saturday morning. Match went OK (even thanked by the losing team's manager) - well looked after by the Latvians and a very pleasant, but short stay in Riga, which is a city well worth a visit. The old town is "chocolate box" pretty.
  
  First (and probably last!) international, albeit by default, but my career as a ref is complete! See the match report here and some (not very good) pictures here.
  
  Hope all is well. Best wishes,
  Steve
  
  
• U-19 Women's All Star Tournament Champions - Midwest Thunderbird Rugby
  
  Thanks to Toni, I have the photo of the winning team! Great job ladies!
  
  
  
• Texas Rugby Union U-23 Tryouts - Jan 26 & 27, 2007
  
  The Texas Rugby Union (TRU) Women's Under-23 team will be having tryouts in Austin, TX on Jan 26th and 27th. The tryouts will be from 9am - 4pm on Saturday and from 9am - 1pm on Sunday. The location in Austin will be announced sooner to the event. The tryouts are open for EVERYONE and are FREE, so please encourage all eligible players to come. Playing on the TRU women's U-23 team is a super fun experience where you get to meet and play against some of the top players in the West. The TRU women's U-23 team won the LAU U-23 tourney last year (beating the other unions) and we hope to do it again.
  
  More specifics will be sent out closer to the date. Please let me know if you have any questions or need housing.
  
  Thanks,
  Anna Kunkel aliinwond@aol.com
  TRU Women's U-23 Coach
  UT Head Coach
  
  
• Texas Rugby Union Senior Tryouts - April 26 & 27
  
  Planning for the West Senior Women's All Star XVs 2008 season is underway!
  
  For the 2008 season we will have an LAU tournament as in 2007. The tournament will be in Ft. Worth April 26 & 27 , in conjunction with the men's DI, DII and DII club championships. It will be a big weekend- so plan to attend! There will be a trophy for the top team.
  
  There will most likely be 4 LAU teams- ER, HOA, TX and MO. OZ, RG and GP, as unions will combine with one of these 4 teams, depending on numbers.
  
  The 4 LAU teams and their contacts are:
  
  Eastern Rockies- Karl Ohlsen, ohlsenk@hotmail.com
  Heart of America- KJ Abel, kjrstena@hotmail.com
  Missouri- Thomas Wong, tcw@asianpacificbancorp.com
  Texas- Devin Keller, keller.devin@gmail.com
  
  The other LAU contacts are:
  
  Great Plains- Darrin Barner, wscrugby@hotmail.com
  Ozark- Karen Monson, kmonson2004@yahoo.com
  Rio Grande- Allegra Howell, carpintonta@yahoo.com
  
  Matches will be played on Saturday. If possible, our head coach Mark Bullock will meet with the teams at check in to express expectations for the weekend. I will also be sending out information beforehand.
  
  The intent of the matches is to observe players in a competitive situation for selection to the West All Star pool. Saturday night there will be a get-together to announce selections. Selected players will have training from 9:30 am- 1 pm on Sunday. Please make your travel plans accordingly.
  
  To be considered for the West pool, players MUST be available for the following:
  
  Training and warm up matches vs (TENTATIVELY) the Pacific All Stars on May 10-11 in Glendale, CO. Two matches- so all will play in a competitive match.
  
  Training and the NASC tournament June 12- 15 in a location to be announced.
  
  Please contact your LAU rep listed above or myself to participate.
  
  Let's have a great season!
  See you in Ft. Worth!
  Susan Stabler
  Manager, WRFU Senior Women's All Stars
  sswest04@aol.com, 970-222-7379

Please go and join the NEWLY formed Women's Rugby Youtube GROUP. It will be a database for all the best women's rugby videos on the web. Please feel free to join and feel free to add your own videos to the group.

Thanks!

So I just got an anonymous comment on my latest Rugby Here & There post here. It made me crack up. Me? Connections at USA Rugby? Ha, I know a few friends that I have played with or have met along my rugby adventures, but strings? HARDLY!

But I did steal the 2008 USA Sevens Video for fun...I just uploaded it to Youtube, so now I KNOW its possible to download the videos once USA Rugby finally uploads them.

From USA Rugby:

BOULDER, Colo. – U.S. Women’s National Team Coach Kathy Flores has announced the team captains for the 2007 England Tour in December.

Veterans of the 2006 Women’s World Cup squad, Kristin Zdanczewicz (Minnesota Valkyries) will act as Captain and Ashley English (Berkeley All Blues) will serve as Vice Captain for the three match tour, which spans December 6-16.

“Besides being instrumental players in the 2006 World Cup, they are both products of the U-23 program. Kristin is a top rated flanker for the Minnesota Valkyries and Ashley English is the fullback for National Club Champions, the Berkeley All Blues,” Coach Flores said. “We are looking for their leadership and experience to guide this young squad going to England.”

The Women’s National Team kicks off the 2007 England Tour against the Nomads on December 8 and faces England A on December 12 and the England Women’s National Team on December 15.

For more information on the USA Women’s Eagles, please visit: www.usarugby.org/goto/Womens_Eagles.

From USA Rugby:


BOULDER, Colo. – USA Rugby is pleased to announce First Sports International as the official sponsor of the 2007 Women’s Eagles Tour to England in December.

First Sports International (FSI), a leading provider of sports industry-focused technology solutions, has signed on as the Women’s National Team’s jersey sponsor for its three match tour, which spans December 6-16. The sponsorship also includes the branding of the team’s training kit with the FSI logo.

“As an international sports company, we are pleased to support the USA Rugby Women’s tour in England,” said David R. Simmons, Chairman, First Sports International. “Our passion for sport is the basis for our development of leading software solutions that provide governing bodies such as USA Rugby with the foundation they need to successfully build their grass roots participation for both women and men. We’re looking forward to a great competition between these top-ranked teams.”

First Sports International has proven itself committed to many of the world’s leading sports organizations and events, with clients that include the Rugby Football Union, The Football Association (The FA) and The Wimbledon Championships.

“It is always a great pleasure to welcome a new sponsor to USA Rugby,” said Nigel Melville, USA Rugby CEO and President of Rugby Operations. “FSI is keen to help us develop the sport of rugby in the United States and recognizes the Eagles as a team with a great future.”

The Women’s National Team kicks off the 2007 First Sports International England Tour against the Nomads on December 8 and faces England A on December 12 and the England Women’s National Team on December 15.

'The tour to England will be a fantastic challenge. If we want to be serious contenders in the 2010 Women's World Cup we have to play and beat the best in the world,” Melville said.

USA RUGBY, founded in 1975, is the national governing body for rugby in the U.S., and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Rugby Board (IRB). The organization is responsible for the development of boys, girls, high school, collegiate and club athletic programs, and ultimately, the nine national teams representing the United States in international competition. For more information on USA Rugby and its supporting partners visit www.usarugby.org/goto/sponsors.

About First Sports International - First Sports International (FSI) is the leading provider of full-service software and business solutions to many of the world’s top sporting organizations and events. Built upon a core repository of information for all individuals associated with a National Governing Body (NGB) or event, the solution manages the administration of participants, fans, volunteers and ticket buyers as well as the execution of player registration, membership and fan programs, ticketing, accreditation and premium seating/hospitality sales systems. Visit www.first-sports.com to learn more or call + 1 404.504.6213.

From Goff (subscription req.):


November 23, 2007 - The USA women's national team is set to depart for England in a little more than a week, and will face the Nomads in Aylesbury December 8.

The Nomads are an international all-star team much like that of the fames Barbarians. The team started as an English Premiership all-star team.

"A lot of international players come to England while they are still playing for their country or after they have retired from international rugby," said Nomads manager Fiona Stockley. "They were there to provide stiff competition for England A, and after a while it's expended to be a more inclusive team."

Players can only play for the Nomads if they have been capped by a national side, and the current squad contains players 11 countries.

This will be the first match of the Nomads season, which includes two games against England A. Canadian prop Leslie Cripps will captain the side, which features several players familiar with the Eagles, including former England scrumhalf Jo Yapp, fullback and Nomad vice captain Sue Day, also of England, and Ireland fullback Jo O'Sullivan.

So today I was browsing the rugby blogosphere and fell upon a particular blog post. Chasing Down Life is blogging about her devastating ACL injury (this is her 2nd ACL injury). Upon reading her last few posts over the last week, I almost welled up in tears at work.

I've been there. The utter disappointment, rage, torture, more disappointment, realizations...thoughts...sprials...its more than the pain of the surgery and the injury...its everything else that is devastating. Anyone who has been there knows what it feels like...

Her post made me think about my physical and mental being during the recovery of my ACL injury...and lets just say it wasn't pretty. I tore my ACL on September 24, 2005 and had surgery a exactly a month later (I had severe bone bruising...basically I had tiny fractures in my bones). I too, did not tear anything but the ACL, no meniscus, PCL, LCL or whatever. The surgery was easy enough, I had plenty of pain at night and took plenty of pain medication. I guess I was lucky in most respects, but my frustration came from never really being injured. Sure I had sprained an ankle, tweaked a hamstring...but had never been down and out for more than a month.

I had never really faced myself in the throes of depression and injury. I continued to attend rugby practice every Tuesday and Thursday night and helped with the team where I could. The nights were the worst as I had terrible dreams of tearing my ACL again, dreams of never being able to walk normally and dreams of never playing rugby again. I am a tough girl, but my mind was trying to betray me in my sleep.

In the end I made a full recovery and played my first rugby game about 4 months after surgery (I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS!). The reality of it was that I couldn't be kept off the pitch...at 3 months, the most critical time of the healing process, I was at practice playing touch rugby. If I had stayed away from rugby during my recovery process, I really think that my mind might have won. The depression, rage, frustration...it might have taken me over.

As I write that statement, I am angry that I sound weak...or that I would have given in. But unless you have been there...you wouldn't know.

Stay strong Chasing Down Life and don't let it beat you!

Its time for another edition of Rugby Here & There!

• Rugby Videos?
  
  I have emailed a couple of my friends that work at USA Rugby and they keep saying that the videos from the D1 National Club Championships will be available for download. I keep checking the site but have not seen any developments. I will keep my eyes peeled though, I want to see the matches!
  

• Canada Wins NAWIRA 7's Tournament
  
  Canada finished the NAWIRA 7's tournament in tip top shape with an undefeated record of 6-0. In the finals, Canada defeated the USA Developmental side 19-15. Canada would have won regardless because of the points tally, but a good fight by the USA.
  
  NAWIRA Women's Champions: CanadaNAWIRA Women's Runner Up: USA Dev Eagles
  Women's Caribbean Champions: Jamaica
  Women's Caribbean Runner Up: Guyana
  
  The USA Women’s Sevens Developmental Squad named for the NAWIRA Tournament:
  
  Kirsten Ahrendt (Keystone)
  Tonya Ansel (Minn. Mankato)
  Ida Bernstein (Syracuse)
  Katie Dowty (Beantown)
  Sydney Forestal (Univ. of New Mexico)
  Kristy Lear (Minn.Valkyries)
  Lauren Rosso (Penn State)
  Melissa Smit (Stanford)
  Stephanie Taguacta (D.C. Furies)
  Sheri Villa (American Univ.)
  Jessica Watkins (Stanford)
  Alison Worman (Penn State)
  
  
• 2nd Invitational National All-Star Championships for U19 Players - From Goff
  
  In 2006 four teams attended, with the Northeast defeating a Western team in the final.
  
  This year all territories, officially or unofficially, are represented, as well as a USA U20 developmental team, which is almost exclusively U17.
  
  The tournament this year will have all eight teams in one tier. The teams have been seeded and will play off in a quarterfinal/semifinal/final format. The first two games will be shortened games, and the opener will decide which teams will be in Tier I next year, when the format goes to one game a day and two for the weekend.
  
  The rosters:
  
  USA U20s Developmental (Coach Bryn Chivers)
  Candace Barley (Maryville HS, Tenn.), Jozy Gessner (Summit, Colo.), Katie Johnson (Hopkins, Minn.), Audrey Jones (West Linn, Ore.), Corinne McElroy (Berserkers, N.H.), Catherine Parkhill (Burnsville, Minn.), Maggie Reidy (Divine Savior, Wis.), Brittany Rose (West Chester East, Pa.), Adrianne Rubiaco (Budd Bay, Wash.), Rachel Sommer (Canby, Ore.), and Brittany Woodard (Hyde School, D.C.).
  
  Backs named to the squad include Sadie Anderson (Fort Collins, Colo.), Skyler Browder (Burlington Women, Vt.), Lauren Franzen (Divine Savior, Wis.), Brook LeGate (Maryville HS, Tenn.), Erin LeGate (Maryville HS, Tenn.), Lindsey Lough (Hart, Calif.), Sophia Nolan (Armstrong, Minn.), Seymira Salami (State College, Pa.), Kandis Ruiz (Kansas City Dragons, Mo.), and Catherine Turnerdrown (Riverton, Utah).
  
  Pacific Coast (Coach Natasha Bishop)
  Thania Balcorta UC Davis, Jordan Barber Redmond, Zully Camacho Cal, Bekah Coffey OR , Kylie Coleman Fortuna, Lucy Croy Cal, Echo Duplesis Budd Bay, Lynn Enzinger Riptide, Uche Esonu Lynnwood, Maddi Glainyk Budd Bay, Audie Haisch Budd Bay, Lisa Henneman Seattle, Lauren Hubbard Kent, Lindsey Hubbard Kent, Erica Legaspi Budd Bay, Cassie Powell Columbia, Ramona Prieto Chico, Kristina Puhich UVSC, Kathy Sprowles Cal, Jerica Tafiti Aloha Youth Rugby, Sarah Towne Fortuna, Mika Underwood Budd Bay, Samantha Van Harmelen Budd Bay
  
  Midwest (Coach Kurt Weaver)
  Ashley Alman Wing Ashland University, Toni Cattani Flyhalf Kettle Moraine High School, Sarah Chimilewski Fullback Divine Savior High School, Melanie Chiodi Center University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Kelsey Corbett Flanker Noblesville High School, Sara Czarnecki Hooker Western Michigan University, Gina Fanelli Flanker Ohio State University, Lindsey Fickau 8man University of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Brittany Houston Scrumhalf University of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Karen Hunt Center University of Illinois, Corin Jensen Prop University of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Kathryn Junius Second Row Divine Savior High School, Joanna Kitlinski Prop Grand Valley State University, Alisa Ly Flanker University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Adetayo Mafe Center Michigan State University, Maude Marandet Center Indiana University, Tyra McGrady Fullback Indiana University, Katie O'Leary Second Row Indiana University, Jessica Rogawski Prop St Charles High School, Kristen Spencer Wing Ball State University, Elydia Thomas Flanker University of Kentucky, Jessica Waterfield Second Row Bowling Green State University, Jordan Berg Alternate University of Wisconsin , Madison, Abbie Donnelly Alternate Lakeview High School Rugby, Alexandra Eggers Alternate University of Kentucky, Ashton Steinke Alternate Muscatine, Pearl City Rugby, Brittany Schupbach Alternate Michigan State University
  
  South (Coach Sheri Hunt)
  Arnold Emily Maryville HS, Booker Rebecca MTSU, Boone Lorelei Ravenwood Raptors, Boone Shannon Ravenwood Raptors, Brinkman Myra MTSU, Buford Megan UGA, Burleson Stephanie Lincoln Park Academy, Diehl Gina Hoke Hurricanes, Furman Stephanie WKU, Graves Ashley Hoke Hurricanes, Harper Chloe Ocoee HS, Isang Ima Oakridge HS, James Mallory White Station HS, James McKenzie White Station HS, Johnson Erinn MTSU, Jones Quytilya Hoke Hurricanes, Keast Becky Maryville HS, McCroskey Erin Nashville WRFC, McCroskey Rachel Maryville HS, Price Rebecca Ravenwood HS, Shelton Alyssa Maryville HS, Stone Laura Beth Maryville HS, Suarez Elizabeth Brighton HS,
  
  ERRFU (Coach Karl Barth)
  BrieAnna Barto (Summit HS) Halfback, Abi Bundy (Fort Collins U19) Hooker, Madeleine Child (Summit/Eckerd) Prop/Wing, Catherine Clark (Summit/CSU) Fullback, Lauren Danielsen (Summit HS) Flyhalf, Sierra Fairfield-Smith (Summit HS) Lock, Katy Hodson (Summit/UNI) Halfback, Mallory Ives (Summit/CSU) Flanker/Lock, Liz Kirby (Regis/School of Mines) Lock, Beckah Knappe (Douglas Cty/Rice) Flanker/Hooker, Ali Kosakowski (FCollins/CU) 8 captain, Mackenzie Lewis (Chaparral HS) Backrow, Chelsea Miller (CU) Prop, Julia Roher (Boulder U19/CU) Flyhalf/Centre, Maddie Robinson (Fort Collins U19) Wing, Sara Rossi (Littelton U19/CSU) Wing, Sarah Travers (FCollins/CU) Flanker/Lock, Mikaela Welch (Douglas County HS) Centre/Fullback, Becca Wezensky (CU) Centre, Erica Wheeler (Chaparral) Prop
  
  I am still looking for scores and results, so if you have any...leave them in the comments!
  
  UPDATE! Found the results via Goff:
  
  1. Midwest
  2. Pacific Coast
  3. Eastern Rockies & Northeast (tie 17-17)
  5. USA U17s (some say they are the U20 team too?)
  6. Mid-Atlantic
  7. South
  8. Southern California 42-17 to take 7th.
  
  "All these games were intense," said Underwood. "But that final was one of the most intense games I've ever been in. It was great to be a part of it. I felt we were two pretty evenly-matched teams, but they did a better job of exploiting the gaps they found in our defense, and that was the difference."
  
  "I thought the speed of the game and the intensity were something you don't often see in women's U19 rugby," said Weaver. "I think the goals of this tournament were all met. We got to show the players the level they can aspire to, we put them in positions to play at a higher level, and we got talented players in front of the national team coaches. I expect this tournament to continue and I hope USA Rugby takes it on, because it can only benefit the women's game."
  
  
• U19 Teams, More Communication, More Everything?
  
  This link is from K-train's blog A Ride on the K Train, its an article where she expresses her frustrations with the current MARFU U19 system and the selection processes. I don't agree with everything she writes, but she brings up some valid points.
  
  I was texted over the weekend from an old coach asking if I knew anything about the U19 program...and I was sad to say that I don't know much! I don't know when tryouts are, tournaments...teams...selections anything. I do know that these programs are newer and are struggling to exist and find players.
  
  One resource we do have is this blog: U19 Girls Rugby and I try to read it regularly and pass the information on.
  

• Fiji form Women's Rugby Union
  
  Women's rugby in the Oceania region has long been dominated by the Black Ferns of New Zealand but, a year after Samoa took part in the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup, Fiji are now preparing to join the international ranks.
  
  A new group of executives has been selected to steer a course for the women's game in Fiji.
  
  The new Fiji Women's Rugby Union (FWRU) consist of journalist Vela Naucukidi (President), Fijiana playmaker Elaina McDonald (Secretary) and Veronika Talei (Treasurer).
  
  First on the proposed FWRU list is a coaching clinic at the Peninsula Hotel and Albert Park, with the aim being to prepare a team to compete at international events leading to involvement in the biggest of all.
  
  "Our aim is to take part in the Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in 2009," Naucukidi said.
  
  "We don't have much time [to prepare to qualify]. We've organised two sevens tournaments, one this Saturday and one next month, and are inviting teams or any individuals who want to take part."

The teams in the West are currently looking over the current league system and if it is beneficial or detrimental to teams & competition in the West. My post earlier this month talked about several topics including the geography of the West and about the costs of playing in the West. These two issues combined are hurting players, coaches and teams beyond measure.

Current talks now between teams are revolving about maybe moving back to the Best of the West Tournament, an East/West or South/North format, or a Tier 1 and Tier 2 situation or maybe a few other ideas.

The pros are that each team has 6 high level games that they are required and "get to" play. We are bolstering the competition in the West and helping ourselves grow as a result.

The cons of this format: Teams have 3 home games and 3 away games in a year. These are required league matches and almost all require a plane ticket. The Colorado teams are the lucky ones here as they have three teams within driving distance of each other. Austin has the worst case scenario here (and not just because I play for them) but because we are geographically the farthest away from the rest of the teams in the league. It is literally impossible for us not to purchase a plane ticket to play a different team in our league. (Buy a plane ticket or miss a day of work bc we have to drive 10 hours or more.)


This is basically a tournament where each team works to beat all the other teams. I believe there is some seeding that happens to predetermine your standings for the tournament (I have only played in one of these tournaments).

This tournament style can have its problems though, as it all depends on your team that one day. In the league format you have several chances to prove yourself, at the Best of the West Tournament you lose, you are out.


This topic has been discussed mostly because it is a similar format to what a lot of men's teams do. Basically you draw a line down the middle or across the horizon and each region plays the teams in its region. However this format greatly benefits Colorado again because they would just have to dominate Black Ice and Boulder...who are currently ranked the lowest in the West League. Either way we try to split up the league it doesn't seem fair and it always benefits one team or another.


This idea came across the email this morning...and has some potential in my mind. Basically we would go off the current rankings so:

Tier 1
1) Glendale
2) Jazz
3) Sabres

Tier 2
4) Austin
5) Black Ice
6) Boulder

Tier 1 would play the teams within and would fight for the right to represent the West (right now we have 2 seeds, but both seeds will be challenged in 2008). Tier 2 would fight amongst itself to be #1, as the #1 in Tier 2 would move up and the #3 in Tier 1 would drop down. Almost identical to the current National All Star Championships that we have every summer.

A few new ideas were introduced as well, could the #1 Tier 2 team challenge a team in Tier 1 for their spot? Also, how would the D2 teams fit into the mix (the West is working on sending a team to the D2 tournametn in 2008)? Could they challenge the lowest ranked team? There were several other ideas, but these two were of greatest concern to me.

If the West was to adopt this new format, does that mean that Austin, Black Ice and Boulder areut of luck from the 2008 Round of 16? Or do the Sabres drop down and Austin moves up? Then the bottom 3 teams have no chance at Round of 16?

Please leave thoughts in the comments, as I believe we are all open to new ideas and thoughts...

So in summary of all these ideas, there are more questions than there are answers. I just know that the current league system is costing teams more money and is stretching our team officers, players and budget. I think that all this talk is good, and I hope we can all come together to agree on a solution that builds the West up and the teams in it.

Just got this in my inbox from my friendly West Rep -

Folks,

In the event the word hasn't filtered to the clubs as yet, it appears that the proposal to expand the TU match schedule in the spring will NOT happen in 2008. However, the plan may be implemented in 2009. As these things develop, we will try to keep all informed.

The West will then revert to the system we had in place last year in Ft. Worth. Four "regional" teams based on the location of the DI women's clubs will scout, select, train a squad to compete in Ft. Worth at Gateway Park on the weekend of 26 and 27 April. Each squad will play two matches on Saturday. West squad management will be in attendance and select players for a camp/coaching session on Sunday. The West team will likely play the Midwest on a weekend on May with the Senior Women's ITTs to follow.

KO schedules and details will be available next spring, but teams will likely play early on Saturday to allow recovery time for another match. Squads should plan to arrive on Friday. Practice facilities on Friday can be arranged if requested.

--Well this is certainly a relief as I was wondering how I was going to pay to play on a D1 Women's Club team, a LAU team, the West Select side Team and the USA team. The costs are still daunting, but the idea that we aren't doing the new schedule yet helps. Hopefully they will be able to find a way to reduce costs all around by the time they implement the new system.

Also having the LAU tournament in Ft. Worth was AWESOME last year! The facilities were amazing with turf fields to play on, warmup on and more. I look forward to more fun with the Texas team this year, we had a blast last year..."what do you mean, does my a$$ look fat?"

From USA Rugby - USA Rugby Announces Women’s Developmental Squad Set for NAWIRA Sevens Tournament

BOULDER, Colo. – USA Rugby will take a developmental team to the NAWIRA (North America West Indies Rugby Association) Sevens 2007 Tournament to be held November 17-18 in Nassau, Bahamas. Part of the USA Women's Sevens Developmental Program, the squad includes eight players who made the semi-finals at the 2007 USA Rugby National All-Star Championship.

The USA squad will face off against teams from Canada, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana in round robin play each day of competition, with the sternest tests for the USA side coming against Canada and Jamaica.

"The goal of the program is to get four players on the World Cup squad in 2009," said USA Women’s Developmental Sevens Program Head Coach Pete Steinberg. "The NAWIRA Tournament is another opportunity for the returning players to play some high level sevens, and exposes the new players to the approach that we have in the program."

While much of the squad’s time together will be spent working on technical and tactical aspects of sevens, the program also works toward shaping players into elite athletes. The focus is to create a high performance environment in the camp that gives the players tools they can take back to their respective clubs. Elite performance areas covered at this event are goal setting, mental skills and nutrition.

"The reality is that we do not get much time with our players, so we need to help them continue to develop after they leave our assemblies," Steinberg said.

The USA 7s Women's Developmental Squad for 2007 NAWIRA 7's:

Kirsten Ahrendt - Keystone
Tonya Ansel - MSU, Mankato
Ida Bernstein - Syracuse
Katie Dowty - Beantown
Sydney Forestal - U. New Mexico
Kristy Lear - MN Valkyries
Lauren Rosso - Penn State
Melissa Smit - Stanford
Stephanie Taguacta - DC Furies
Sheri Villa - American U.
Jessica Watkins - Stanford
Alison Worman - Penn State

Pete Steinberg (Coach)
Sue Parker (Coach)
Josh Sutcliffe (Coach)
Ines Rodrigues (Player/Coach)
Nicole Titmas (Trainer)
Meredith Fabing (Doctor)
Kelsey Engelbrecht (Manager)

I haven't had much time to do the rugby digging that I usually do...so here are some fun rugby stories I was able to dig up this morning!

• CGA Women's Rugby Tackle the Competition in their First Season
  
  The Coast Guard Academy Women’s Rugby Team have just completed their first season as a formal club sport in an organized league as a member of the New England Rugby Football Union, Division four by making it all the way to the championship finals.
  
  The team finished the regular season with a 4-1 record scoring 220 points and allowing only 14. With only the one loss, the Academy’s team earned the wildcard entry into the 4-team playoffs.
  
  The team took on the College of the Holy Cross, the undefeated number one seed, in Worcester, Mass. on Oct. 27. Despite the rain, mud and non-home field advantage, the Lady Bears pulled off their biggest win in their short history and a major upset shutting out Holy Cross 14-0. With their win, they were next scheduled to play Roger Williams University, who was their only loss during the regular season, for the New England Division four championship.
  
  Despite the team’s efforts, they lost the match to Roger Williams in an exciting game, 22-19. Even though the scoreboard wasn’t in their favor the Academy’s team didn’t lose entirely. The team gained a great amount of experience by competing for the championship during their first season as a club team. They will certainly come back next year with just as much drive but with more knowledge of the game.
  
  Always love to hear about new teams!
  
  
• Should Oregon Add Women's Rugby?
  
  Many folks at Oregon are devastated that the university’s wrestling program will be discontinued following this season. The heartache is understandable – nobody likes to see opportunities diminished for student-athletes.
  
  In today’s Oregon Daily Emerald, Robert Husseman offers an argument that the transition of women’s rugby from club to varsity status would not only help the university become a national leader in that sport, but would aid in Title IX compliance.
  
  I am of the belief that no school should ever use Title IX as a reason for eliminating a sport. If budgetary reasons are to blame, that’s completely different. In Oregon’s case, it’s estimated that the addition of baseball and competitive cheer programs will add about $300,000 to the annual budget.
  
  Husseman suggests that a self-sufficient athletics program could afford to move its club program to varsity status and keep the wrestling program going. I’m not privy to accounting information in Eugene, so I don’t know if this is realistic.
  
  What I do know, is that Husseman has the right thinking in mind. He wants to see the university add more opportunities, not subtract them. He figures that if Oregon wanted to add baseball, it should have done it, but not at the expense of wrestling. Instead, he says, add women’s rugby to the mix. Not only is it an exciting sport, but rugby is similar to football in that it accommodates and requires a large number of participants. More opportunities? No problem.
  
  With four varsity programs out there, Oregon could continue a trend that might bring us closer to an 89th NCAA championship.
  
  This brings to mind the recent discussions on Saturday's A Rugby Day and Goff about more and more teams thinking about Varsity status. In my opinion, we should encourage this, but be careful that the teams play rugby and not some washed down version that the NCAA would approve. See the next bullet below for more opinions on NCAA status.
  
  
• Women's Rugby Blazing Trails in NCAA Play
  
  While rugby is considered a club sport nationally, West Chester's women's rugby team is one of only four schools that are now recognized as NCAA teams.
  
  Women's rugby is one of seven on the NCAA's list of emerging sports. This list was created more than 30 years ago to increase the number of athletic opportunities for young women and help promote gender equality on and off the playing field. However rugby must attract 40 teams within 10 years to earn championship status or it will be dropped from consideration, a problem the other teams on the list are trying to overcome. Since there are currently four women's teams in the nation playing varsity rugby, WCU, Eastern Illinois, Maine's Bowdoin College and Southern Vermont, they have four years left to obtain this goal.
  
  WCU captain Michelle Kirk said attracting more teams in the next four years is an attainable goal.
  
  "Similar to what happened in women's lacrosse several years ago, it started as a club sport and as the publicity increased they were able to become a NCAA sport. I think rugby will have a similar affect, especially with the arising popularity of high school [rugby]. There is definitely a possibility that we can achieve this goal," Kirk said.
  
  West Chester Athletic Director Ed Matejkovic told ESPN that four schools in the Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference are looking to add rugby. He plans to push for women's rugby in the next conference meeting.
  
  "There will be a discussion because people will see the coverage that this game has received," Matejkovic said. "Maybe, they will realize this is a viable thing. Just like anything, people are afraid of change and doing something new. I think you just have to punch in and do it. Next year when we play EIU at our place, I'll invite the [athletic directors] in our conference and say, 'Come see a game. You'll enjoy it every bit as much as field hockey and soccer -- maybe more so, in some cases.'"
  
  The first NCAA-sanctioned women's rugby match against Eastern Illinois was held in Charleston, Ill. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007. The Lady Rams were able to defeat Eastern Illinois scoring a try in the final minutes to win 20-19. Although the win was extremely exciting for the Rams, the team hopes the game's exposure will build rugby's chances of becoming a success at the NCAA level. This success could push more schools to create NCAA programs, creating scholarships that would help to meet the requirements of Title IX.
  
  Kirk believes that the game's exposure will definitely help build in rugby's success, but more with people who are already involved and interested in the sport.
  
  "Exposure was big in the sense of rugby world but I doubt much past that. That specific game isn't going to make the difference we need," Kirk said. "Although it helps that newspapers are writing about it, and people are talking about it, I think it's not reaching out to all people, people that don't have knowledge of the sport." One thing about the game Kirk was sure about: "It definitely touched the rugby world."
  
  
• Hitting the Cycle: Don't let dresses fool you: Women's rugby tougher than they look
  
  Beauty, grace, elegance. When you think homecoming dresses, these are the words that come to mind.
  
  Tackles, bruises, blood. These are the things you think about when you add UMBC women's rugby into the equation.
  
  Rather than cut the rug on the dance floor, the women's rugby team traded in their high heels for cleats, and spent the afternoon ruining their dresses, showing that appearances are not everything. The ladies, dressed in their best, physically dominated the first half of Sunday's annual homecoming game in route to a win.
  
  Don't let the apparel fool you. Attired in their normal uniforms after the first half, the ladies continued to fly around the ball, proving that there is nothing girly about the women's rugby team.
  
  Having never been to a women's rugby game before, I didn't know exactly what to expect. Would the speed of the game match up to that of men's rugby contests? Would the hits be as vicious?
  
  My questions were answered within the first couple of plays. The women swarmed around the ball carrier. Hits were bone-crushing, causing some in the crowd to wince, while others couldn't help but ooh-and-aah.
  
  Leaving Walker Field Saturday afternoon, I had a new appreciation for the women's rugby team at UMBC, as they rolled up a 35-0 win. Just like the men's team, they were fast, physical, technically sound, and tough. By the end of the day, I began to think that the women actually had more courage and gamesmanship than the men's team.
  
  After all, I don't see the playoff-bound men's program dominating in bright pink, bare back dresses.
  
  Since I love a good Debutante Rugby Ball, I couldn't pass up this article. Don't forget the Austin Valkyries will be hosting a Debutante Ball after Dallas 7's in June 2008.

Interesting comments going on at Goff about who has won the D1 National Championships in the past...here is what they have come up with:

79 - Florida State Univ
80 - Florida State Univ
81 - Belmont Shore
82 - Beantown
83 - Beantown
84 - Florida State Univ
85 - Florida State Univ
86 - Beantown
87 - Beantown
88 - Minnesota
89 - BASH
90 - Belmont Shore
91 - Beantown
92 - BASH
93 - BASH
94 - Berkeley
95 - BASH
96 - Beantown
97 - Berkeley
98 - Berkeley
99 - Berkeley
00 - Berkeley
01 - Berkeley
02 - Berkeley
03 - Berkeley
04 - Berkeley
05 - Berkeley
06 - New York
07 - Berkeley

I guessed that BASH was San Fransisco, cause thats what Google told me...Cool stats!


And over the weekend I broke 30,000 hits (this is post #435 if you were interested!) Woohoo! Thanks for all the visits and feel free to leave comments about what YOU want me to blog about. Fresh ideas are always welcome...

Had some free time at work today...we watched 300 at NA4's the day before we played Canada, it was hard to sleep that night I was so adrenaline pumped! Check out these 300 spoof trailers (the rugby one is first!):

From Womeneagles.com:

SANFORD, Fla. - The Division I Senior Women's Club Championships came to a thrilling conclusion as the Berkeley All Blues touched in a last minute try to slip past Beantown 25-18 and claim the 2007 title at Sylvan Lake Park on Sunday, November 11, 2007.

Beantown was the first to strike in the aggressive match when captain Kelly Seary connected on a penalty kick in the eighth minute. Despite a back and forth battle for the try line, Berkeley dominated the scoreboard for the remainder of the first half, with wing Laura Cabrera running in two tries and All Blues captain Rose Whitmore contributing another to the squad's scoring run.

In the second half, Beantown refused to go down without a fight, notching two unanswered tries and two successful kicks from Seary to surge ahead of the All Blues 18-15 with less than 15 minutes remaining in the match. Beantown put up a strong defensive effort to hold the lead, but Berkeley's Victoria Folayan snuck in for a late try as the clock was winding down. Nathalie Marchino converted to push the All Blues ahead to a final of 25-18.

"Beantown plays right up until the 80 minutes, so there was no taking any moment for granted - especially when it was very close and they were ahead. We knew that if we didn't keep possession of the ball, Kelly (Seary) might do a dropkick," Berkeley All Blues Coach Kathy Flores said following the match. "We definitely have a lot of respect for the Beantown team."

MVP - Rose Whitmore Berkeley captain Rose Whitmore, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the Senior Women's Club Championships following the match, said the comeback victory was a solid team effort.

"We dug deep today and that's what Berkeley does," Whitmore said. "There was a moment out there when we looked at each other and said, This isn't happening. We're going to come back and win it.'"

In the third place match, it was a brutal battle of the blue and orange as the Twin Cities Amazons took on the 2007 champion New York squad in a match that had multiple players seeing yellow. The Amazons led 12-7 going into the break, but a recharged New York team turned up the heat at the close of the second half to send the match into extra minutes. Tyshawn Henry led the comeback and powered in for back-to-back tries to bring the match to a heated 17-17 tie with little time to spare. Following a physical display from both sides, New York went on to win 22-17 in overtime.

The Oregon Sports Union (ORSU) Jesters put up a strong fight against Keystone in the fifth place match, but fell short with a 20-23 final. Keystone's Ines Rodriquez got her team on the board in minute 12. However, by the break the resilient ORSU squad surged ahead 15-8, following an impressive pair of tries from Valerie Burns and San Juanita Moreno within the last two minutes. Keystone came strong out of the gate in the second, holding the ORSU side scoreless for the majority of the half. The Jester's Beckett Royce pitched in a late try to bring her team within three, but Keystone emerged with the win at the final whistle.

Philadelphia and the Atlanta Harlequins squared off for seventh in an aggressive showing from both sides. Atlanta's Linda Abaray booted in two drop goals for the Harlequins, but in the end the Philadelphia Women found themselves on top, with a final score of 26-6.

For more information on the Division I Senior Women's Club Championships and the USA Rugby Championship series, please visit www.usarugby.org or contact Jenna Anderson in the Championships department at janderson@usarugby.org.

1st place - Berkeley All Blues
2nd place - Beantown
3rd place - New York
4th place - Twin Cities Amazons
5th place - Keystone
6th place - ORSU
7th place - Philadelphia
8th place - Atlanta Harlequins


1st place - Detroit
2nd place - Scioto Valley
3rd place - Orlando
4th place - Naples
5th place - Albany
6th place - Village Lions
7th place - NOVA II
8th place - Harrisburg

Detroit defeated Scioto Valley (an All-Midwest D-II Final) 15-5, after initially taking a 10-0 lead. Physical match with lots of mauling, scrums.

Orlando defeated Naples (an all-Florida consolation) 17-13 for third place.

Albany defeated Village Lions (all New York?) 22-10 for fifth place

NOVA II defeated Harrisburg 13-10 for seventh place.

Amazons vs New York 17 to 22
Berkeley vs Beantown 25 to 18
Philly vs Atlanta 26 to 6
ORSU vs Keystone 20 to 23

--
Wendy Young

Austin Valkyries
Match Secretary
http://austinvalkyries.com
http://zazzle.com/scooterwe* - RUGBY GEAR FOR SALE
http://westrugby.blogspot.com - Your Scrumhalf Connection

MxToolBox.com
Support Analyst
wendy@mxtoolbox.com

Keystone vs ORSU 25 to 15 almost full time...

The Austin Valkyries are in the Little Rock Tourney final against the St. Louis Sabres...so scores will be a little late this afternoon.

Does anyone have the D2 scores from yesterday? Leave it in the comments!

Beantown Defeats New York!

17 to 17 at the last minute...Beantown's flyhalf Kelly Shear drop goals to win!

ORSU vs Philly 41 to 24
Keystone vs Atanta 15 to 5
Amazons vs Berkeley 5 to 30
New York vs Beantown 17 to 20

Yes, USA Rugby is having serious problems handling the demand on their servers. I am watching the Keystone game but it is pausing and skipping all over the place. Maybe they will correct the problem before the more games happen this afternoon.

Hopefully it will work! And hopefully USA Rugby will realize that no one is watching the games because their stream sucks.

This is the most current note from USA Rugby:
"Due to some unexpected server problems, USA Rugby's website is experiencing technical difficulties! We are working quickly to fix the problem. But, if you are trying to view the webcast of this weekend's Women's Club Championships, click here, in the meantime! Your patience is greatly appreciated!"

Scores:
ORSU vs Philly 41 to 17 (games almost over)

Keystone vs Atlanta 8 to 0 (halftime)

I don't know if anyone has heard, but I am hoping that USA Rugby allows us to "download" the games or at least the target link because I will be at the Little Rock tournament all weekend and will have very limited internet access.

If they do allow it to be archived or accessible later, I have figured out a way to download it onto my computer. I did it the other day with the Glendale film when we played Glendale, so I know it will work...but I will need the link.

So tomorrow we don't leave until like noon, so I can get the first couple of games and I will try to upload them in portions so you can download them too. Check back tomorrow morning and pass the word if I am successful!

Wish me luck!

Watch the USA Rugby Women's Club Championships live this weekend on www.usarugby.org

BOULDER, Colo. – USA Rugby has announced today its plans to broadcast the Division I Senior Women’s Club Championships, held at Sylvan Lake Park in Sanford, Fla., on November 9-11, 2007, live on its website - www.usarugby.org.

The championships will showcase eight of the top women’s club teams from across the nation, which advanced from the original field of 16 at the Division I Playoffs held in Austin, Tex., on October 28-29.

The elite eight includes the defending champions New York, Beantown, Minnesota’s Twin City Amazons and the Berkeley All Blues, all vying for the 2007 title, with Philadelphia’s Keystone Women, the Atlanta Harlequins, the Oregon Sports Union (ORSU) and the Philadelphia Women facing off for consolation honors.

The event also provides an important venue for Women’s National Team selectors to spot talent for future camps and international play.

“With the beginning of each new cycle comes the need to identify talent from as many sources as possible,” Women’s National Team Coach Kathy Flores said, “Although the National All-Star Championships and now our Can-Am event serve as our highest level avenues for identification, the Senior Club Championships also present opportunities for players who have not been identified before or those returning to play to be seen.”

All of Friday's championship matches, which will kick off at 10 a.m. and run through approximatley 5 p.m. (EST), will be broadcast live. Broadcast will resume early Sunday morning, commencing at 9 a.m. and leading up to the championship match at 1 p.m. USA Rugby will broadcast every game but the seventh/eighth place match on Sunday, as that is to be played on another field.

The broadcast schedule is as follows:

Friday, November 9

1. Consolation bracket 10:00 am: Philadelphia v ORSU
2. Consolation bracket 11:45 pm: Keystone v Atlanta Harlequins
3. Championship bracket 1:30 pm: Twin Cities Amazons v Berkeley All Blues
4. Championship bracket 3:15 pm: New York v Beantown

Sunday, November 11
5/6 Place 9:00 am: Winner Game 1 v Winner Game 2
3/4 Place 11:00 am: Loser Game 3 v Loser Game 4
CHAMPIONSHIP 1:00 pm: Winner Game 3 v Winner Game 4

To start watching the best Women's Club Rugby has to offer, click on the Watch Rugby Live logo on the main page of www.usarugby.org on Friday and Sunday, and ENJOY!!!

From Katie (USA Rugby Representative):

She didn't want me to paste and cut her email...so I will just make something up!

Looks like USA Rugby will be broadcasting certain matches from this weekend's upcoming USA Rugby Women's D1 Club Championships in Florida. See below for the matches scheduled for the D1 and the D2 tournament, held at the same times and in the same state! Good stuff!

Stay tuned for more information or check it out for yourself at USA Rugby.

Matchups November 9-11 Kissimmee, Fla.

Cup Semifinal: New York v. Beantown
Cup Semifinal: Berkeley v. Twin Cities

Plate Semifinal: Keystone v. Atlanta
Plate Semifinal: ORSU v. Philadelphia



Host: Orlando WRFC , Orlando FL
Date: November 10/11, 2007
Tournament Director: Keith Station

Saturday:
Game 1 - Nova II versus Naples / Coconut Grove
Game 2 - Scioto Valley versus Albany
Game 3 - Village Lions versus Orlando
Game 4 - Detroit versus Harrisburg
Game 5 - Winners game 1 play Winners game 2
Game 6 - Losers game 1 play Losers game 2
Game 7 - Winners game 3 play Winners game 4
Game 8 - Losers game 3 play Losers game 4

Sunday
Game 9 - Losers game 6 play losers game 8 for 7th/8th place
Game 10 - Winners game 6 play Winners game 8 for 5th/6th place
Game 11 - Losers game 5 play losers game 7 for 3rd/4th place
Game 12 - Winners game 5 play Winners game 7 for 1st/2nd place

For more information contact: info@wdiirugby.org

Last year’s effort was a great success thanks to all the volunteers that participated. The United States Women’s Rugby Foundation is once again coordinating volunteers to lend a hand with the ongoing recovery effort in New Orleans.

The New Orleans Rugby Recovery Effort is a volunteer opportunity to spend two days working side by side with other volunteers to help clean up and rebuild homes in the New Orleans area. We will be organizing volunteers for the New Orleans Habitat for Humanity and will assist on one or more of their ongoing projects. Projects will include both the construction of new homes and repair of surviving homes. We have selected the dates of this volunteer effort to coincide with the Mardi Gras Women’s Rugby Tournament.

* Volunteer Group Name: U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation
* Dates: January 30th to February 1st, 2008 (arrive Wednesday PM, depart Friday PM or Saturday AM)
* Transportation to New Orleans: Responsibility of volunteer
* Food and Lodging: Camp Hope; $ 20.00/day tax deductible - responsibility of volunteer

If you would like to volunteer please send an email to mholmes@uswrf.org. She will contact you for additional information.

PLEASE NOTE: Volunteers will be asked to sign a Liability Waiver Form in New Orleans. Volunteers under the age of 18 cannot stay at Camp Hope but can volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. They will need guardian's consent to participate at the HFH worksite.

Girls Rugby has arrived in TEXAS! This weekend (11-3-2007) Traci and I from Austin and Alena and Leslie from Houston traveled to Dallas to do a girls youth clinic. The event was held at Jesuit High School which has THREE boy's high school teams and you can take rugby as a course!!!

These boys don't even know how lucky they are, state of the art facilities to practice at (TURF STADIUM) a coaching staff and playing rugby counts towards their GPA. How freaking awesome is that? So we are trying to slowly start the same thing in Dallas, Austin and Houston.

We had about 12 girls at the clinic and we had them from 9am to 3pm. We started them out easy in the morning with a small sharks and minnow game of touch. After they tagged someone they had to hold hands and start working together to get the rest of the girls. Then we moved into a stretching and dynamic warm up with all the girls. They did well and were excited to be doing something besides static stretching I think.

Then we moved onto pop passing, posting and picking the ball and even ball lines! These girls were like sponges, they soaked up everything we said! After each session we tried to do a question and answer and they were able to answer every question and it was just amazing. Before lunch we decided to get tackling out of the way. We were all a little worried that they would be afraid to this, but they jumped right in! We started on our knees and talked about proper placement of your face, neck, hands shoulders etc. They loved watching us tackle each other and kept asking us to do it again and again.

Then we moved to tackling a tackling bag and they did very well! They were hesitant to use their hands though and we kept emphasizing how important hands are in a tackle. After they mastered the bag I got in a tackle suit and let the girls hit me a couple of time each. We also changed the tackling bag to a rucking pad as they were just hitting and bouncing off me now. We noticed again that they were not using their hands so we introduced the rucking pad so they could grab a leg or shorts or whatever they wanted. Overall I was very satisfied by the tackling progress they made and some of those girls could hit hard!

Then we broke for lunch and had some chatting times with the girls. They were very cute and giggly and were very excited to be learning rugby! They wanted to scrimmage (full on tackle) so badly, but we just didn't feel safe yet. We still had plenty of rugby to cover, so we decided that if they did well we would do a touch session at the end of the day.

After lunch we worked on scrums and line outs with the girls. We again thought they would be adverse to the "touching" that comes with scrumming and rugby. But those girls dove right in and were giving each other their waistbands and scrumming it up! We were able to put together a full scrum and they even drove the scrum machine a bit! The lineout session was really cute as the girls don't have very much upper body strength yet. Alena and Traci tried to choose the smallest girls for lifting and taught everyone how to lift. At the end they lifted each girl so they could feel what it felt like to be lifted properly. It was very cute!

Next we worked on more ball lines with switches (they picked it up FAST!), looping and crashes. Everything we did was oriented to be a pop pass as we did not think teaching a spin pass would be good on the first day. This is more of an advanced skill and can take some players years to develop. From there we moved to a quick defensive drill, drumming into their heads that rugby defense is together, flat and harder than it looks. This was a short drill as we were running out of time, so we quickly did that and then we moved into the touch drill.

We knew the touch game would be hard to do, so we decided to make it as simple as possible. Alena and I played scrumhalves for the teams after we had split them up and strictly held ourselves to directing and not trying to show off! We had several stoppages over the hour we played touch, some for directions, some for questions...and some for stopping dangerous play.

The touch quickly improved as we introduced more concepts and encouraged them to take the tag and to move quickly into position. They had problems with aligning correctly and at the right distance, so we made sure to encourage those that were doing it right.

The clinic was a huge success and the girls were very cute at the end because they did a cheer for us! Union Rugby and the Rugby Foundation had donated balls, so each girl was able to take a rugby ball and a tshirt home! How exciting!

Traci and I are looking forward to hosting our clinic in Austin on Dec 1st and helping Alena & Leslie with their clinic in Houston on Dec. 15. Stay tuned for flyers, details etc on those camps.

For more information please email the us @ girlsrugbytx@gmail.com.

England Tour Roster Announced

11.2.07 - US Women's National Coach Kathy Flores announced her traveling squad of players for a three match tour in England in December. Flores said, "This tour is the beginning of the new World Cup cycle. As a few players from the last cycle wanted to take time to pursue other interests, it has become an opportunity to work with different athletes, many who have come through our programs. .

We have selected players we believe are coachable, mentally tough and are willing to do their part for the team. These are the things we cannot teach and are so important to a team coming together and performing at their best. Coaches Bryn Chivers (U20, previously U19) and Barb Fugate (USA A, previously U23) have done excellent work preparing these athletes to enter into the Senior program and for the first time, we are seeing a player that has participated in all three programs in one year, Kati McCormack. This will be the first taste of Senior level rugby for more than a few players and it's important to test ourselves against the best early in our cycle."

Flores noted that, "we will be playing a very ambitious schedule of 3 matches in 11 days and I expect the learning curve to be very fast if we are to fare well. Most of all, it is a chance for us to see where we stand one year after World Cup 2006 with a young, fairly inexperienced, yet talented, squad."

England Tour Roster

* Stacey Baker, Prop (Philadelphia)
* Emilie Bydwell, Center (Brown Univ)
* Jamie Burke, Prop (Berkeley)
* Lisa Butts, Hooker (Berkeley)
* Meg Crapster-Pregont, Flyhalf (Cornell Univ)
* Liz Dilley, Number Eight (DC Furies)
* Farrah Douglas, Prop (Chicago North Shore)
* Carrie DuBray, Prop (New York)
* Ashley English, Fullback (Berkeley)
* Blair Groefsema, Fl/No. 8 (Berkeley)
* Heather Jennings, Prop (Seattle)
* Mel Kanuk, Center (Maryland Stingers)
* Ashley Kmiecik, Fullback (Emerald City Mudhens)
* Lynell Kugler, Center (Glendale)
* Jaime Lange, Lock (Glendale)
* Kim Magrini, Scrumhalf (Keystone)
* Nathalie Marchino, Wing (Berkeley)
* Kati McCormick, Lock
* Vanesha, McGee, Wing (Philadelphia)
* Sara Merritt, Number 8 (San Diego Surfers)
* San Juanita Moreno, Center (ORSU)
* Jillion Potter, Number 8 (New Mexico Univ)
* Beckett Royce, FL/Lock (ORSU)
* Melissa Smit, Center/Fullback (Stanford Univ)
* Jossy Tseng, Flyhalf (Stanford Univ.)
* Shaina Turley, Flanker (San Diego Surfers)
* Mari Wallace, Hooker (Berkeley)
* Rose Whitmore, Scrumhalf (Berkeley)
* Kristin Zdanczewicz, Flanker (Minnesota Valkyries)

Reserves

* Mel Denham, Flanker (Beantown)
* Allyson Hemstreet, Flanker (Berkeley)
* Katy Hertel, Scrumhalf (Minnesota Valkyries)
* Jenny Kuchar, Wing
* Sara Leary, Fullback (Cleveland)
* Rachel Muir, Wing/Fullback (Keystone)
* Kitt Wagner, Flanker (Beantown)
* Maura Weikman, Fullback/Wing (New York)
* Sheara Williamson, Wing (Philadelphia)
* Wendy Young, Scrumhalf (Austin Valkyries)

**I tried to update all the players teams, but couldn't find some of them...feel free to leave it in the comments.

This trip is costing each player over $1500, to make a donation directly to the team, go here and specify Women's National Team.