Your Scrumhalf Connection - Women's Rugby Blog

Good Tuesday to ya! A bit from the email box...

• Check out this post at Put Me in Coach about Eastern Illinois University and their questionable recruiting tactics. Check it here. There is some serious discussion going on...feel free to join in!
  
  
• Dallas Debutante Ball - June 2, 2007
  Looks to be shaping up pretty well! The women's bracket for the tournament is getting crazy as well! So far we have Austin (Satiated Beavers), Philly, Arkansas, Vegas, and Denton! The maybes are Baton Rouge, Houston, Texas A&M, and OU.
  
  Let me know if your team is interested!!
  
  Remember, NO ENTRY FEE for the women and $10 to play in the Ball!
  
  
• Austin Bloodfest 7s - NEW INFORMATION!
  June 23, 2007
  
  The Valkyries that aren't going on the Beaver Tour ARE forming a team! There has been talk of TWO teams actually!
  Very exciting!! So get ready for another great women's tournament!!!

And now on the training front...It's moving right along! The Julie McCoy Domestic 7s Workout is not for the weak of heart! I LOVE IT!

I've done one week of it now and feel amazing! The workouts are different every day so I don't get bored and they are definitely challenging. Today is a pool workout and I have to find a pool in Austin...I have a pool that I go to for fun, but its not a lap pool. I guess I could make that work, I will just get tired or changing directions!

Good luck with your summer training ladies, time to AMP it up!

From Jazz's Myspace:

Jazz defeat Boston!!!

Your KC Jazz defeated BWRFC in today's challenge match 19-10.

It was a very physical game, with the 90 degree temps also a factor.

Congrats to the Jazz for defending their National ranking and securing the West a second seed at Nationals!!

Also, Congratulations to Man of the Match: Sara Wood

Tries scored by: Melissa McKibben, Angie Hurt, Jennifer Page
Conversions: Sara Wood

The Kansas City Jazz defeated Boston 19-10 this weekend to keep two seeds for the West Union. Stay posted for scoring detail and more info as I get it.

Happy Mother's Day.

Check it out:

buy unique gifts at Zazzle

Quick Look:

Back in training...rugby training that is. This is a different type of training, that solo or partner training where you don't have fifteen of your mates breathing down your neck. You have the image of your fifteen mates in different states all over the country training with you, but you can't train together.

We are in that familiar world of select side in the West Union. If you went through the U-19, U-23 or senior side you know what it is like. Maybe someone from your team made the team with you...if you are lucky! Sometimes you live in the state that the coach lives in, sometimes you live 22 hours away.

But you have to do EIGHT of those 150 meter sprints, and then the slow jog, the solo lifting session...the 6 miles trail run, the ladder footwork...because you know that in two weeks, 6 weeks, 15 weeks and more you have a game to prepare for.

So this blog is to all of you that solo or partner train whether it be for select side, for the upcoming sevens season, the upcoming fall...or just to fucking train. Keep drinking that water, eating healthy, pounding the iron and the pavement. Don't forget to stretch between sessions and treat your body well.

Here's to Kansas City in a week, National All Star Championships in 5 weeks, Cape Fear in 7 weeks and National All Star 7s Championships in 12 weeks. Wish me luck!

We are trying to grow women's rugby in TX, so the tournament director graciously has decided to NOT CHARGE THE WOMEN'S TEAMS for entry. SO COME AND PLAY!

The only cost to each player would be if they choose to participate in the Dallas Debutante Ball hosted by the Austin Valkyries.

This ball is a fundraiser for the Valkyries and will help us with travel and expenses in the upcoming seasons.

We will be having the traditional Debutante Ball after the Men's Final match! Don't know what that is? READ ON!!

Buy the most hideous dress you can find at the Salvation Army, Good Will or perhaps you have an old bridesmaid dress in your closet? Put the dress on and play rugby!! Perhaps the most intense and fun rugby game you will ever play in your life!! Ask an old rugger how much they loved playing in the Ball!

Awards:
Most HIDEOUS
Most ACCESSORIES (have to be soft and rugby friendly)
Best MAKEUP
Best WEDDING THEME
Most likely to be MARRIED IN THIS DRESS...

*awards will be donated items*

Cost: $10 per player

The rules and regulations will be put forth by our esteemed referee before the match.

WOMEN ONLY PLEASE FOR THE BALL!

Well the spring season is finally over! A season that started in December for me as I quickly learned that my role as Match Secretary would NEVER be as fun at I hoped. I had to have the newly formatted West D1 League Match Schedule in by January 1st. ARGH! So the frantic emailing began between Austin, KC, St. Louis, and the Colorado teams.

After literally hundreds of emails from each team the schedule was set and I hadn't even started practice yet! It was a relief to have the schedule set in stone, but realizing how much our travel plans were going to have to change was disheartening. We realized that we were flying to almost five venues a year instead of two now. Fundraising was suddenly the focus of our team...then we realized that nine of our starting veterans were retiring.

The panic definitely started setting in at that point. What were we going to do? We needed more money than ever before and we needed to find replacement players FAST!

We started the season with 26 on the roster...and that quickly dwindled to about 22 as players got new jobs, were deployed or were injured. Luckily our recruiting officer had done a good job and we had picked up seven rookies...we were adamant on teaching them rugby as fast as we could. I'm surprised they stuck around...we pretty much tortured them and demanded the fastest learning possible!

The season was definitely a struggle with highs and lows on the field and off the field. We were developing a new game plan that was truly a fifteen player game or nothing. Fitness became our number one priority because we all knew that we might not have a sub. We asked our players to push themselves farther than they had ever been before. We had props that had never played more than 20 minutes that were suddenly being challenged to play an entire 80 minutes of high level rugby. We had wings that were literally taped so tight that they could barely walk...but they knew they had to play through the pain. The heart of this team is tremendous, but the reality is that we suffered.

But isn't this what the spirit or rugby is about? Every week we had consistent numbers at practice, smiling faces and we all did exactly what our coaches asked us to do. We hit each other over and over to make sure our tackling was perfect. We challenged each other's weaknesses and helped each other find the gaps...so we could all run to glory. The drills were never-ending and touch was always an interesting escape...but we made it.

As I look forward to the summer and this break from rugby (ha...a break? I'm playing West 15s and West 7s all summer...), I am excited about the fall. We already have plans for fundraising, recruiting and will be ushering in a new team this fall.

Good luck with your summer and the upcoming fall!

*And good luck to Burns as she moves onto bigger and greater things in DC.

*Good luck with the baby-makin' Rock...

Sorry all, I have been stuck in finals land...a land where caffeine and pizza is a must. In reality my finals weren't that hard, I just loathe SCHOOL so freakin' much...that I make it harder than it is. I mean I had a lot of writing to do (4 essays) and only 1 real final, so I can't complain too much...but jeez!

So the blogging has been in short supply, but I am back for good! Lets get started:

• USA Rugby Division I & II Women's Collegiate Playoffs
  May 4 & 5, 2007
  
  
  Division I Results
  
  
  Stanford vs. UC Davis 45-10
  University of NM vs. Penn State University 3-27
  
  Penn State University vs. Stanford 22-21
  CONGRATS PENN STATE!
  
  
  Division II Results
  
  

  UC Santa Cruz vs. Iowa State University 19-26
  CONGRATS IOWA STATE!
  
  
• West D1 League Match Results
  Glendale vs. Black Ice 27-5
  Kansas City vs. Austin 38-5
  
  Current Standings
  Olde Girls 11 (*bonus in last game?)
  Kansas City 11 (*bonus on 4/21?)
  St. Louis 5
  Black Ice 4
  Austin 4
  Boulder 0
  
  Upcoming Matches:
  May 12 Black Ice vs. St. Louis
  May 12 KC Jazz vs. Boston (USA CHALLENGE MATCH)
  
  
• West All Star 15s Team Selections
  
  KJ Abel-Ruch (KC Jazz)
  Molly Albano
  Breanna Alexander
  Stephanie Gaines
  Molly Rose Graves
  Joy Hernandez (NM)
  Allegra Howell (NM)
  Candice Hudson
  Jennifer Kelly
  Kim Klahn (Glendale)
  Alena Kolarsky (HARC)
  Jenny Kuchar
  Lynelle Kuchar
  Jaime Lange (Glendale)
  Melissa McKibben (KC Jazz)
  Cody Monroe (Glendale)
  Karla Orellana (Austin)
  Angie Poe (Black Ice)
  Mandy Rasmussen (Boulder Babes)
  Erin Reilly (Louisiana)
  Sarah Webel
  Kate Wolff
  Wendy Young (Austin)
  
  We will be traveling to Kansas City on May 19 & 20 for warm up matches against the Midwest All Star team. Then we will attend the National All Star Championships in Blaine, MN in June 2007.
  
  
• West U23 All Star Team Selections
  Amanda Kehmeier (UNC)
  Brittany Vermilyea (CSU)
  Stephanie Dvorak (A&M)
  Lauren Sharpe (A&M)
  Carolyn Price (AFA)
  Amy Burkhalter (A&M)
  Lauren Daly (CU)
  Jaclyn Poteraj (CU)
  Jen Ballinger (CU)
  Meaghan Vanderpol (CU)
  Jillion Potter (UNM)
  Brea Hughes (A&M) - Captain
  Kaitlin Middleton (CSU)
  Stacy Legler (WYO)
  Hillary Wells (A&M)
  Jenna Middleton (CSU)
  Sydney Forestal (UNM) Co-Captain
  Jen Swenton (OU)
  Lenae Boykin (A&M)
  Becca Barron (A&M)
  Megan Knight (CU)
  Gina Steffano (A&M)
  Betsy Bryant (A&M)
  Olivia Herdt (WYO)
  
  They will be attending the National All Star Championships as well this year in Blaine, MN.
  
  
• Lone Star 7s
  June 2nd, 2007
  Ft. Worth, TX
  
  DEBUTANTE BALL (contact Wendy at scooterwe@gmail.com)
  
  We will be having the traditional Debutante Ball after the Men's Final match! Don't know what that is? READ ON!!
  
  Buy the most hideous dress you can find at the Salvation Army, Good Will or perhaps you have an old bridesmaid dress in your closet? Put the dress on and play rugby!! Perhaps the most intense and fun rugby game you will ever play in your life!! Ask an old rugger how much they loved playing in the Ball!
  
  Awards:
  Most HIDEOUS
  Most ACCESSORIES (have to be soft and rugby friendly)
  Best MAKEUP
  Best WEDDING THEME
  Most likely to be MARRIED IN THIS DRESS...
  
  *awards will be donated items*
  
  Cost: $10 per player
  
  The rules and regulations will be put forth by our esteemed referee before the match.
  
  
• Watch Rugby Live on the Web!
  If you can't attend...
  
  Watch & Win!!!
  
  Watch the North America 4 & You Could Win An Eagles Signed Ball or Jersey!
  
  Make sure you watch the North America 4 Matches on Wednesday, May 9 at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. pst., and on Saturday, May 12 at 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. pst., on USA Rugby Network's Live Video Streaming, which you can click through on our USA Rugby homepage.
  
  
• 4th Annual Langenberg 7s - St. Louis, MO
  Saturday June 23, 2007
  
  
• 2nd Annual Los Perros de Mayo Rugby 7s - Midland, TX
  May 19, 2007
  www.Maddogrugby.com
  
  
• 10th Annual Huns RFC Bloodfest 7s Tournament in Austin, TX
  June 23, 2007
  www.hunsrugby.com
  
  
• Houston Athletic Rugby Club's 7s - Houston, TX
  June 9, 2007
  
  I’m in charge of the women’s side of the Houston Athletic Rugby Club’s summer 7’s tournament on June 9th, 2007. On behalf of HARC, I would like to invite your teams to our tournament. For those of you that are close, I sincerely hope you’ll be able to make it and help promote rugby in the Houston area. For those that are far and may not have played in Texas before, I hope you’re able to travel that weekend! If you need any help with travel arrangements, logistics, etc., please feel free to contact me. Attached you will find the flyer with the tournament information. To enter, all I need you to do is send me an email or give me a call to let me know you are entering and then send your entry fee to the address listed on the flyer. I hope your teams can make it!
  Thanks, Kelly
  ksh1@rice.edu
  
  
• Play Rugby Calendar
  
  I have added the above 7s dates to the calendar...and you should keep adding your scores and updates to the calendar as well!
  
  http://playrugby.shorturl.com
  

Lone Star 7s
June 2nd, 2007
Ft. Worth, TX

We will be having the traditional Debutante Ball after the Men's Final match! Don't know what that is? READ ON!!

Buy the most hideous dress you can find at the Salvation Army, Good Will or perhaps you have an old bridesmaid dress in your closet? Put the dress on and play rugby!! Perhaps the most intense and fun rugby game you will ever play in your life!! Ask an old rugger how much they loved playing in the Ball!

Awards:
Most HIDEOUS
Most ACCESSORIES (have to be soft and rugby friendly)
Best MAKEUP
Best WEDDING THEME
Most likely to be MARRIED IN THIS DRESS...

*awards will be donated items*

Cost: $10 per player

The rules and regulations will be put forth by our esteemed referee before the match.
WOMEN ONLY PLEASE!

Philadelphia Women's Rugby Football Club is holding an auction as part of the
2nd Annual Friends & Family Day on May 12th, 2007 in Philadelphia, PA. Included in the lots for the auction we have many items that we thought the rugby community would be interested in having the opportunity to bid on (and saving money!) whilst supporting a fellow Club.

2 x 2 day tickets to the 2008 USA 7s tournament in San Diego.
USA rugby shirts – part of an international kit, but never used!
Numerous rugby shirts from teams around the world – including London Irish (England), Leinster (Ireland), Beziers (France), Blackheath WRFC(England) and Philadelphia Whitemarsh (USA)!!
Hotel stays in the Philadelphia area (if you are planning a trip!).

Attached is a file with a list of all the lots available to absentee bidders along with all the information on how to bid as an absentee, but we must receive your bid notification by mail by 10th May!! This information will also be available on our website www.pwrfc.org: <http://www.pwrfc.org/> .

All the information and item descriptions are accurate according to the PWRFC Auction Committee with many of the items being available to view on donor websites. Please support those that have supported us!!!

If you have any questions or require photos of any of the items to enhance your decision please e-mail auction@pwrfc.org: auction@pwrfc.org> and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please feel free to forward this information onto anyone else on your rugby team or anyone that you think may be interested in helping us by bidding on these items.
Thanks for your support and apologies if you receive this notification more than once,

-PWRFC Fundraising Committee