Your Scrumhalf Connection - Women's Rugby Blog

So I had 5 teeth pulled (4 wisdom teeth, and one bonus tooth!) pulled on Friday. Blogging has been short and sparse as a result. Doing a half-day at work today as my job requires lots of talking and that means pain. Should be back to regular blogging in the next week or so.

Happy Holidays!

Waiting for the replay on 24.7 TV, but USA Rugby has it posted that England won 34-0 on their live scoreboard.

Hopefully the video will work as we all know the success of the last promised videos...still haven't seen them!

From USA Rugby:

Don't miss a minute of the action when the USA Women's National Team takes on the England Women at London Irish ARFC, Sunbury, this Saturday, December 15 at 2:30 p.m. GMT. Log on to www.247.tv to watch the match LIVE for about $5 (£2.50).

To replay a match costs just more than $2 (£1), to download a match costs about $6 (£3). You can now also download the match on DivX for a cost of just over $9 (£4.50).

From: Rugby Football Union
December 12th, 2007

England A 34 USA Eagles 17

England A Women kicked-off their international season in impressive form with a six try 34-17 victory against the USA on Wednesday at London Irish ARFC, Sunbury.

The A team, coached by Mike Barnett, Gavin Williams and Andy Paton, set off at a furious pace running in five tries in the first-half including a brace for Worcester’s Samantha Dale, before finishing off proceedings in the second-half with one further touchdown.

Head Coach Barnett, taking charge of his first international for England A, said: “This is a good start and the first-half was particularly encouraging. We have got to give the US credit as they fought back bravely after going down 29-0 in the first-half.

“This is just the start of the season and we have still got a lot to learn. The squad need to learn to maintain a high level of performance throughout, though I am particularly pleased that the youngsters showed real promise in their first outing while the more experienced players led from the front and Karen Jones had a good game leading the team.”

Worcester prop Dale got the ball rolling for England after just four minutes when she touched down in the left corner. A penalty handed England the chance to catch and drive from a line-out, the ball was then spun out and drove forward for Dale to muscle her way over the line.

Wasps No. 8 Heidi Shelburg helped England gain a 10-0 advantage after just seven minutes in a similar move, but this time the forward picked up and drove her way over the line. Club and country teammate Shelly Rae successfully struck the conversion.

After nine minutes it was then time for England’s backs to put some points on the board and this time it came courtesy of Saracens full-back Vicky Massarella. In a spectacular try scoring manoeuvre Wasps prop Claire Purdy drove her way through the USA defence before clearing the ball to the backs. Wasps centre Michaela Staniford then darted her way up-field, drawing in the US fullback, before off-loading to Massarella who then charged 50 metres up-field to score. Rae converted to stretch England’s lead to 19-0.

Worcester’s Gemma Sharples claimed try number four after a well worked line-out, catch and drive which then saw the ball spun out-wide with Sharples driving over the line. Dale then completed the first-half proceedings with her second touchdown on 25 minutes.

The Eagles, however, had no plans to roll over and surrender and came back at England after the restart showing passion and determination. Scrum-half Kim Magrini rewarded the US for their efforts with a 45th minute try which saw the number 9 take advantage after England lost control in a scrum. Wing Melissa Smit converted to reduce the hosts lead to 29-7.

With some fresh legs on the field and the tourists losing a player to the sin-bin England bounced back to claim their final try of the evening. This time it was the turn of substitute Charlotte Boggis. Skipper Jones was at the heart of the move and picked-up at the back of a scrum. The forwards then cleared the ball and moved it out-wide. A clever dummy by Massarella, who couldn’t quite make the line for a second time, then set-up a waiting Boggis who touched down on 65 minutes.

The US again didn’t give up and instead they had the final word of the evening, running in two late tries thanks to Natalie Marchino and Kristen Zdanczewicz making the final score 34-17.

The USA return to action on Saturday when they take on reigning RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam champions England at Sunbury, kick-off 230pm.

Referee: Rebecca Patrick
Touch judge: Claire Hodnett
Touch judge: Andrea Ttofa
Fourth Official: Paula Carter

Christmas Party

Well its about time for a real update from me...don't you think? I have been so busy lately that I haven't had the time to write about me, just rugby news from around the US and the world!

Last week was the Austin Valkyries Christmas Party and Awards Ceremony. We started off the party with a rather interesting potluck with turkey as the center piece. Everyone brought their favorite dish, their favorite desert and of course their favorite beverage. Then we voted for the officers, and as a result this is the first time in over 6 (maybe 7?) years that I will not be an officer. Can I get a hallelujah from the crowd? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being the match secretary, but not having to deal with all that shit...might just save me from a heart attack down the road.

So the new officers are:
Shannon Shafer - President
Meredith Bagley - Recruiter
Tiffany Hall - Fundraiser
Rosalind Chou - Eq Manager
Jennifer Degroot -Match Sec
Rachel Kraft - Treasurer

Little bit of a disclaimer here, please God hug your new officers, old officers or anyone that has ever been an officer. Unless you have been there you don't know the joys, heartbreak, stress and utter chaos that can be involved with managing a team. Show them some serious love!

Anyways, so next we did the awards:
Welcome to Austin - Jennifer Degroot
Rookie of the Year - Alex McCarthy
Most Valuable Back - Wendy Young
Most Valuable Forward - Tiffany Hall & Rachel Kraft
Most Valuable Player - Meredith Bagley

I was pretty excited to win the Most Valuable Back award, as we had discussed as officers if the scrumhalf should be included with the forwards or the backs. In the end we decided that the scrumhalf should choose, so I chose to be included with the backs as I love my pack, but identify with the backs just a bit more.

From there the party took off a bit as we played "full combat musical chairs" with the only known rules being that you can't touch the chairs. I guess in the past there had been some teammates that had pulled that chair out from underneath each other...and that hurts! I participated in the first round and was quickly eliminated so I took to watching from the sidelines.

After a few teammates suffered minor injuries the final rounds were to take place. Alex (Winner of Rookie if the Year) had twisted her ankle in the opening rounds but had hung onto the chair for dear life securing her spot in the finals. So she asked me to take her place and I am proud to say that I WON, and hurt myself in the process. If I remember correctly I was up against Angela "Cat Lady" and I just remember getting level 3 tackled into the hardwood, but hanging onto the chair! So today, a couple of days later, my elbow is still tender and is swollen. But it was worth it!

Once this was over a few people headed home as we all had to work the next day, but a few teammates hung around and we shared a few more beverages. The gf and I went to bed around 2am, but evidently the hot tub was put to good use for a couple more hours. Good times.

Oklahoma

I haven't been back to Oklahoma (where I went to HS and played rugby at the University of Oklahoma) for almost a year and half. The city of Norman has been through plenty of changes and is truly growing. The reason I went back is that my alumni rugby club was awarding me my "Eagle." This Eagle is given to Collegiate All Americans and players that have made it onto the National Team. I am the fourth University of Oklahoma Rose to be put on the clubhouse ceiling. The ceremony was very nice and lots of old ruggers, coaches and friends had great things to say about me. Of course my gf was at my side and as someone who has helped me work on my pass, make me workout and motivate me, I was as happy as could be.

While I was in Oklahoma I made to sure to eat at all my favorite places. I haven't eaten that much junk food in a LONG time! We ate chicken fingers at O'Connells (LOVE THOSE CHIX FINGERS), had steak and Long Island Iced Teas at Santa Fe Cattle Company, waited LATE at night in the Taco Bell Drive thru and and had a rugby potluck at the ceremony. The weather was FREEZING in Oklahoma and we even had a bit of ice on our cars on Sunday. Driving back to Austin and realizing it was almost a 30 degree temperature change made me LOVE living in Austin.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Its incredibly ironic that I just posted about my ACL surgery from about 2 and half years ago last week. I have been having incessant left knee problems for about 2 years now. My knee is always popping, swollen, stiff and generally has a dull pain to it. I finally decided to do something about it (and finally have decent health insurance) so I got an MRI last week. The doctor called on Friday and let me know the news.

I have been running, jumping, kicking and playing rugby on a torn ACL for about a year and half.

I made the appointment with the doctor originally because I was just tired of being hurt and had several doctors and therapists assure me unprofessionally that it was probably a meniscus tear. So I was prepared for a short surgery and a quick recovery. I was floored on Friday when the doctor told me I had torn my ACL. He was shocked that I was playing rugby and hadn't had more serious problems.

I'm not quite ready to write about how I feel at this juncture, but I have scheduled to meet with a surgeon on Monday (of next week) and will be having surgery as quick as possible. This will be my second ACL surgery (different leg) and YES MOM I am still going to play rugby.

Looks like the last month in the gym hitting the weights will be a bit of waste on the left leg, but I will get back to it as soon as I am released to be in the gym. I am still going to workout up until the day of my surgery because it will make me recover faster. No rugby for at least 6 months...f*in sucks...I am sure I will write more later...

**UPDATE: Everyone keeps asking how I tore I tore it:

I remember the exact day it was torn a year and a half ago (silly touch gone WRONG not with the Austin Valkyries but at OU) but didn't have insurance. I went to several doctors that were "friends" and they all told me to rest/take time off because it was only a meniscus tear. It has never stopped hurting and/or swelling, so I finally decided to go to the doctor.

For Immediate Release
December 8, 2007

Women’s National Team Loses First Match of First Sports International England Tour

AYLESBURY, England – The Women’s National Team endured a blustery day on the Royal Air Force (RAF) Halton pitch in its first match of the 2007 First Sports International England Tour against the Nomads on December 8.

Faced with harsh conditions, the U.S. team pressed on through the wind and rain but could not find the right striking points to overpower the Nomads. Despite the USA’s best efforts to take advantage of breaks in their opposition’s game, at the final whistle it was the Nomads over the Women’s Eagles 24-0.

“Though the conditions were not favorable, we as a team performed to the best of our capabilities,” team captain Kristin Zdanczewicz said following the match. “However, we did not capitalize on the opportunities that we were given, and the Nomads were able to benefit from our mistakes.”

“As a team, we want to improve from this starting point. It’s a goal we are completely capable of achieving,” Zdanczewicz added.

The Women's National Team next meets England A on Wednesday, December 12 at 7 p.m. GMT and wraps up its three match tour against England on December 15 at 2:30 p.m. GMT; both matches will be played at London Irish RFC, Sunbury.

For more information on the Women’s National Team and to read daily journal entries from the First Sports International England Tour, please log on to www.usarugby.org/goto/women_eagles.

USA 0

1. Farrah Douglas (Chicago North Shore); 2. Lisa Butts (Berkeley All-Blues); 3. Jamie Burke (Berkeley All-Blues); 4. Shaina Turley (San Diego Surfers); 5. Stacey Baker (Philadelphia); 6. Sara Merritt (San Diego Surfers); 7. Kristin Zdanczewicz (Minnesota Valkyries); 8. Blair Groefsema (Berkeley All-Blues); 9. Rose Whitmore (Berkeley All-Blues); 10. Jossy Tseng (Stanford University); 11. Nathalie Marchino (Berkeley All-Blues); 12. Mel Kanuk (Maryland Stingers); 13. Lynell Kugler (Olde Girls of Glendale); 14.Vanesha McGee (Philadelphia); 15. Ashley Kmiecik (Emerald City Mudhens). Reserves: 16. Mari Wallace (Berkeley All-Blues); 17. Heather Jennings (Seattle); 18. Jaime Lange (Olde Girls of Glendale); 19. Kati McCormick (Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee); 20. Carrie DuBray (New York); 21. Meg Crapster-Pregont (Cornell); 22. San Juanita Moreno (Oregon Sports Union); 23. Melissa Smit (Stanford University); 24. Emilie Bydwell (Brown University); 25. Ashley English (Berkeley All-Blues).

NOMADS 24

World Community Grid's mission is to create the largest public computing grid benefiting humanity. Our work is built on the belief that technological innovation combined with visionary scientific research and large-scale volunteerism can change our world for the better. Our success depends on individuals - like you - collectively contributing their unused computer time to this not-for-profit endeavor.

Donate the time your computer is turned on, but is idle, to projects that benefit humanity! We provide the secure software that does it all for free, and you become part of a community that is helping to change the world. Once you install the software, you will be participating in World Community Grid. No other action must be taken; it's that simple! Donate the time your computer is turned on, but is idle, to projects that benefit humanity! We provide the secure software that does it all for free, and you become part of a community that is helping to change the world. Once you install the software, you will be participating in World Community Grid. No other action must be taken; it's that simple! To learn more and join, click here.

Make sure to join the rugby group I have created underneath the name yourscrumhalfconnection, that way we can keep track of the help the ruggers are doing in the world! Simply sign up with the link above and then on the My Grid page, hit My Team and search for yourscrumhalfconnection.

USA Rugby Announces its Referee, Touch Judge Appointments

BOULDER, Colo. -- USA Rugby’s Sevens Referee Manager Patrick McNally officially announced today the referee and touch judge appointments for the 2008 USA Sevens event in San Diego

As the culmination of the 2007 Sevens Referee Development program, Patrick McNally, in consultation with the Referee and Laws Selection Committee has made the following appointments to the USA Sevens:

Referee: Chris Draper
Touch Judges: Paul Bretz
Chris Henshall
Jem McDowall
Tom Lyons
Dana Teagarden
Aruna Ranaweera
Brad Kleiner
Judah Boulet

Complimenting these officials will be two touch judges each from Rugby Canada and NAWIRA.

The Sevens Referee Development program was instituted to focus on the unique nature of this game, and working with coaches, players and referees to develop and institute standardize good referee practices, and train referees at all levels.

“We worked very hard to connect with all participants of the sevens game, including Al Caravelli the National Sevens Coach, and see real improvement in the approach to refereeing sevens across the country,” said McNally. “All the appointees have performed very well, and have earned their place in San Diego.”

The annual report and other sevens developmental material can be found on the Referees page of the USA Rugby website – www.usarugby.org/goto/referees.

**I put this article up because I know Chris Draper! He has been my FABULOUS training referee for my matches. He is a great referee and I love working with him. Good luck Chris!


BOULDER, Colo. – USA Rugby is hosting a press conference on Monday, December 10, at 3:00 p.m. at the Union League Club of Chicago, to officially announce that the Windy City will host the finals of the 2008 Barclays Churchill Cup in June.

The Barclays Churchill Cup is the biggest international rugby tournament in North America and is an alliance tournament between the rugby unions of England, USA and Canada. Six teams will participate in this year’s Barclays Churchill Cup – USA, Canada, England Saxons, Scotland A, Ireland A and a final team to be confirmed shortly. In the USA leg of the Barclays Churchill Cup, the tournament will feature all six international teams in a triple header of final matches at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.

Speaking on the announcement, Terry Burwell, Tournament Director of the Barclays Churchill Cup said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for the sports fans of Chicago to witness six top international rugby teams in action on one day. The Barclays Churchill Cup continues to develop each summer, and we are delighted that Chicago is hosting the finals for the first time.”

Entering its sixth year, the Barclays Churchill Cup, which has been held across Canada, California, and England in the past, will feature its pool play matches in various locations throughout Canada, before teams converge on Chicago for the finals day of the tournament on June 21st.

USA Rugby chose the Toyota Park venue after successfully hosting Ireland’s Munster Rugby Club as a Rugby World Cup warm-up match for its National Team, in late August. That match marked the first international rugby match in Chicago in several years and proved a huge achievement for event organizers.

“Toyota Park and the city of Chicago proved such great hosts for our Munster match that it would have been senseless to go anywhere else,” USA Rugby’s CEO and Director of Rugby Nigel Melville said. “Chicago has a rich sports history, and is rapidly emerging as the nation’s newest hot spot for rugby. USA Rugby is excited for the chance to bring an international rugby tournament of this caliber to the Windy City.”

Toyota Park is home to the Chicago Fire MLS club and is located 17 miles south west of downtown Chicago. Due to the outstanding response in August, USA Rugby is hoping to top 10,000 spectators to the one-day event in June.

For media interested in attending the Barclays Churchill Cup press conference, please contact Sara John at sjohn@usarugby.org for more information.

**Would LOVE to go to this match...maybe it will happen!

December 4, 2008, Norman OK – The University of Oklahoma Men and Women’s Rugby Teams are hosting the 7th annual youth rugby camp on Saturday, January 5 and Sunday, January 6 at the Everett Indoor Training Facility. The camp is divided into elementary, middle, boys high school, girls high school and collegiate. Cost for the two-day camp is $25 for 12 and under, and $35 for high school and collegiate. Participants receive two days of high-level instruction plus a t-shirt. The camp runs from 9-noon and 1:30-5pm on Saturday, and from 9am-3pm on Sunday.

Rugby is a sport of strategy and finesse, requiring athletes who can think fast and move even faster. Kids of all ages can learn the sport quickly and easily. The purpose of the rugby camp is to develop safe technique and increase awareness of the sport. “Last year, we had over 150 boys and girls participate at the youth camp”, says head OU men’s coach Kenneth Forehand. “Our elementary and middle school-aged divisions saw the most growth in numbers. We’ve already got strong participation at the high school and collegiate levels, with van-loads of athletes coming from Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas to participate. We are particularly excited about this year, because we’ve got great coaches coming to run the session and we know each participant will learn a lot in a fun and positive environment.”

OU women’s rugby team captain, Candace Taylor, says “I am so glad that I play rugby. I found some of the best friends and I know we’ll be tight for life. I started playing in middle school and have loved it ever since. We really enjoy hosting this camp. It’s fun to see the little kids getting in there and mixing it up with each other. By the end of the weekend, everyone is playing in a scrimmage at their level, and all are having a blast. The t-shirt is pretty cool, too. The fact that it is held at the same place the OU football team practices is amazing. I would pay the fee just to get to compete in that environment!” Additionally, any OU student interested in joining the men or women’s rugby teams for spring are encouraged to attend the camp as a “try out”.

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