.
Congratulations to the Colorado State University Women's Rugby Team as they had a 5-0 sweep winning against University of Colorado, Colorado College, Air Force Academy, University of Northern Colorado and Mines.



Attending Teams
University of Colorado
Colorado College
Air Force Academy
University of Northern Colorado and Mines
Utah Valley
Wyoming

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA RUGBY UNION
For Immediate Release

Emma Backe, Radnor High School, Payce Madden, Hempfield High School (Lancaster), Albert G. Metz, IV, Radnor High School and Daniel Callaghan, Bensalem High School Win Scholarship Awards

Exton, PA, September 8, 2009:

The EPRU is pleased to announce the award of its inaugural scholarship to four accomplished high school athletes. The scholarship was awarded to two young men, and two young women who will be entering college this fall and who have demonstrated excellence in their academics as well as dedication and leadership on the rugby pitch.

Representing the young women were Emma Backe from Radnor High School (Conestoga Girls Rugby Club) and Payce Madden from Hempfield High school in Lancaster (Hempfield Girls Rugby Club). Emma will be attending Vassar College in New York while Payce is off to Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina to study physics and studio art.

The young men are represented by Radnor High School’s Albert G. Metz IV (Second City Troop Boys Rugby Club) and Archbishop Ryan High School’s Daniel Callaghan (Northeast Raiders Boys Rugby Club). Both of these young men will be attending Kutztown University. Albert will be studying marketing/accounting, while Daniel will focus on digital media studies.

The EPRU would again like to congratulate these special and dedicated players for all of the effort that they have put into their school work, as well as their playing time. May their college years be as bright as their high school careers have been. The EPRU will again be offering scholarships in the spring of 2010 and encourage all college-bound players to apply.

Dana Bateman
Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union
426 Apple Drive
Exton, PA 19341
Phone: 610-524-7171
Fax: 610-695-0366

BOULDER, Colo. – USA Rugby has officially named the 2009 Women’s Division I Club Playoffs and Championships and Women’s Premier League Championship event locations and verified details for these events and those taking place in 2010.

On October 24-25, USA Rugby will join Boston Women and Old Gold in hosting the Women’s Division I Playoffs at NARA Park in Acton, Mass. The twelve Division 1 Women’s Rugby Teams emerging from the Competitive Region playoff process will be converging on the area for the chance to go on to the Division I Championships in November.

On November 6-8, USA Rugby will be working with the San Francisco Fog to host both the Women’s Division 1 Club Championships and the Women’s Premier League Championships. The four clubs victorious in October’s Division 1 playoffs will compete for the Women’s Division 1 national title while all eight member teams of the Women’s Premier League will compete in the WPL Championship. Inaugural WPL league play kicked off last weekend and will determine final seeding for the WPL Championship, with the top four teams competing for the Cup and Plate and the bottom four teams competing for the Bowl on San Francisco’s Treasure Island in November.

In 2010, the Division I Playoffs will again feature 12 of the best women’s teams from across the nation; while the Championships see the top four teams compete for highest honors and will again be played in conjunction with the Women’s Premier League Championships. The 2010 Women’s Playoffs are scheduled for on October 30-31 with the Championship event slated for November 13-14.

USA Rugby has yet to choose a location for either 2010 Women events, and is still accepting bid applications for these two tournaments.

If an organization feels it can host a successful USA Rugby Championship Tournament, USA Rugby requests that it submits the bid questionnaire as soon as possible. If your location, facilities and surrounding amenities meet the initial criteria USA Rugby has for the event, we will ask you to then complete the extensive bid package for the event.

For more information on the National Championship Series, please visit www.usarugby.org/goto/Championships or contact Lindsay Tiernan at ltiernan@usarugby.org.

To bid on an event, please check out the bid packet by clicking on the following link http://www.usarugby.org/media/EDocs/2010_Championship_Bid_questionnaire.doc

WPL Master Scoreboard by YSC
Div 1 Master Scoreboard by YSC

Advanced Coaching Course 2010

Applications being accepted September 15, 2009

After a very successful 2009 Advanced Coaching Course (ACC), USA Rugby is now soliciting applications for 2010.

There has already been a high level of interest in this course due in part to the excellent reviews it received from previous attendees, and while there is no guarantee of USA Rugby Coaching appointments as a result of attending this course, the ACC is a significant part of USA Rugby’s Coach Development pathway.

The ACC focuses on coach, player and team development, supported by the latest techniques. The course is closely aligned with the IRB Level III course, which in turn is aligned with the Level III courses offered in England, Scotland, Whales, and New Zealand.

The ACC consists of three weekend sessions spread throughout the year and a commitment to extensive course work. The performance of each coach is then assessed by IRB licensed Coach Educators and each coach will be assigned a mentor.

In 2010, USA Rugby will be offering two ACC courses, one for HS/Collegiate Coaches and the second for Club/Select Side Coaches. This course is a progression of the latest CDP course so preference will be given to coaches that have completed the Developing Rugby Skills courses. Please contact the USA Rugby National Office for more information on those courses. The schedule for the course has not been confirmed, however the three weekends will be in the Jan/Feb, June/July and Nov/Dec time frames.

Coaches who are interested in applying for the ACC should contact Mollie McCarthy at USA Rugby (mmccarthy@usarugby.org) for an application form. The numbers in the course are limited to ensure the best experience for the coach attendees. Each application will receive full consideration by the selection panel.

Description: The Florida Rugby Referee Association will be holding a Level 1 Officiating Courses. The purpose of this introductory course is to enable officials to acquire basic skills to officiate safe, enjoyable competition. This course is required for anyone who wishes to referee any match that could potentially lead to a national championship. Students who have passed the exam and refereed three games will be then be eligible to have the course cost reimbursed by FRU.

Cost: $65.00 Checks can be made payable to FRRA.

Course Information: The Level 1 Course is the basic referee’s course. It covers the referee’s priorities, provides an introduction to the Laws of the game, risk management as well as examining scrums, rucks/mauls, tackles, line-outs, offside and advantage with focus on the critical aspects of the game and how to referee them. The course does not go through the Laws of the game page by page. There is an open book test at the end of the course which students will take and marked on the day so you will know when you leave whether or not you have passed. Attendees will need to wear comfortable clothing suitable for both classroom and on the field practical sessions.

How to register: Participants are required to confirm their attendance ASAP. To confirm attendance please email rugbyreffl@aol.com ; include your name, address (postal, city, state, zip code), date of birth, contact email address, daytime phone number. A follow up email will be
sent to confirm your attendance.

Gerry FitzGerald
754 245 0215(cell)

I have decided to combine all the match reports into one blog post so they are below! Each week I will rotate the posts so each YSC Intern is at the top. Thanks!

Welcome to YSC Intern Phoebe as she debuts with her first coverage of the Berkeley All Blues vs the Twin City Amazons. Phoebe will be covering the All Blues during their WPL season, so look for more articles from her in the coming weeks!

It was perfect rugby weather on Treasure Island, San Francisco as the Berkeley All Blues stormed to victory over the Twin City Amazons. The game kicked off rather sloppily as both sides fought ferociously for the ball in every breakdown, both turning over the ball after just a few phases of play. But the All Blues soon found their way to the scoreboard in the 10th minute when fly half and Captain Steph Bruce burst through the middle off a scrum for a try under the posts. Two minutes later wing Nathalie Marchino found space up the weak side off a kick-off return. But the Amazons weren’t going to let the All Blues run rampant. Just after the 15 minute mark inside center Sylvia Braaten cut through the All Blues line and juked her way into the try zone. But the All Blues found their rhythm and scored 3 more tries before the end of the half (one from 8-man Blair Groefsema, one from outside center Kelly Griffin, and another from Steph Bruce), bringing the score to 35-7.

The All Blues exploded in the second half, starting off with a pair of forward tries from flanker Phoebe Boone and hooker Lisa ‘Cheeks’ Butts followed by a pair of tries each from wings Nathalie Marchino and Elaine Gardner. Within a minute of getting into the game wing Victoria ‘Vix’ Folayan put 5 on the board, followed by fullback Ashley English. Elaine Gardner completed her hat trick at the 75 minute mark, followed by inside center Ruth Bryson. Phoebe Boone touched down her second try as the last play of the game, making the final score 100-7.

Scoring Report
All Blues 100 – Amazons 7 (35-7 at half)

Amazons
Tries (1): Braaten
Conversions: Braaten

All Blues
Tries (16): Marchino (3), Gardner (3), Bruce (2), Boone (2), Groefsema, Griffin, Butts, Folayan, English, Bryson.
Conversions: Bruce (6), Bryson (4).

In addition to the few photos available with this match report, Phoebe also took more photos, you can view more here.

Thank you to Anna as she noticed that we don't have a match report for the ORSU vs Valkyries game this weekend and she was kind enough to share this writeup:

Hi Wendy,

I write the match reports for the ORSU website and I thought I would share this weekend's, since no one has reported on it yet on YSC. Feel free to edit as you see fit!

September 13, 2009 -- The visiting Minnesota Valkyries came away with the win at ORSU's home ground this weekend, 33 to 12. The Valkyries came out strong, powering in two quick tries and capitalizing on mistakes by a lackluster ORSU defense. ORSU missed crucial opportunities on offense and the Valkyries continued to exploit ORSU errors to score two more unanswered tries by the end of the first half, including a dramatic intercept try. With all conversions good, the halftime score was Valkyries 28, ORSU zero. However, ORSU's substitutions and adjustments at halftime made a difference. ORSU came out with a renewed fire and scored a try and conversion off a big run up the middle. Play became very physical and intense, with the Valkyries eventually scoring another 5 points off a lineout play at the ORSU 22, but missing the conversion. ORSU continued to pressure, displaying increased ball possession and offensive threat. After a number of quick rucking phases, ORSU again tore through the middle to score under the posts, however the conversion was no good. ORSU will next face the Berkeley All-Blues at home on Sunday, September 27.

Final Score
ORSU 12 Valkyries 33


In the first away game of the season, the Minnesota Valkyries met ORSU at The Farm, closing out the match with a solid 33-12 victory over the Jesters. After a difficult week of training, marked by miscommunication and disconnect, the Valkyries came together on Sunday, able to reinforce each other in a true team win. Both forwards and backs supported each other throughout the game, reassuring players that the game plan was working and that the Valkyries had the talent to come out on top.

Twenty-eight seconds into the match, outside center Christy Ringgenberg found the holes in ORSU’s back line and ran the ball in for a try. Fullback Dez Markovich successfully converted the kick to bring the score to 7-0 and the teams back to the 50-meter line. Minutes later, with assistance from Kristy Lear and Kristin Zdanczewicz, Markovich scored her own try, again making the conversion and bringing the lead to 14-0. Finishing out the half were tries from number eight Angie Heifort and wing Tracy Call. Markovich again converted both tries, ending the half with a score of 28-0 and the Valkyries on top.

ORSU came out forcefully in the second half, pressuring the Valkyries into defending their own try-line and breaking through the defensive wall for a try at 43:45. A successful conversion brought the Jesters into the game, but the Valkyries would not let the score go unanswered. After a penetrating run by flanker Gabe Fidelman, Tracy Call finished the effort with another five-point score. A missed conversion settled the points at 33-7 and led to a number of battles at the breakdown. Making a try-saving tackle just before the line, Call again showed her speed and tenacity at the 74 minute mark. ORSU’s 12 was able to finish the drive, however, adding another five points, and ending the game 33-12.

The Minnesota Valkyries scrimmage the University of Minnesota on the 19th of September and prepare to take on their home-town rivals, the Twin Cities Amazons on Sunday, September 27. In WPL standings, the Valkyries gain five points, tying the Amazons for second place in the Red Conference.

Valkyries Roster
1. Libby Berg
2. Laura Gill
3. Jen Triemstra
4. Garnet Towne
5. Sarah Walsh
6. Sarah Chobot
7. Kristin Zdanczewicz
8. Angie Heifort
9. Katy Hertel
10. Mel Kanuk
11. Tracy Call
12. Kristy Lear
13. Christy Ringgenberg
14. Sarah Reuter
15. Dez Markovich
16. Gabe Fidelman (for 6 at half)
17. Lauren Felton (bloodsub for 15 at 65; 15 returns at 72. Bloodsub for 10 at 73)
18. Meredith Mrachek (for 2 at 51:30)
19. Jenny Menke (for 8 at half)
20. Sarah Roehl (for 5 at 79)

All the videos from the first week of the Women's Premier League are up on their Vimeo website at http://vimeo.com/channels/wpl. Each week all 4 videos will be uploaded by the home team and will be available for public viewing. If you have any problems viewing or accessing the videos feel free to email me as I am helping the teams out.

Week 1: Twin Cities Amazons vs. ORSU Women 9/6/09 from Women's Premier League - USA Rugby on Vimeo.

Amazons 32 ORSU 27

Week 1: DC Furies at Keystone from Women's Premier League - USA Rug on Vimeo.

Week 1: Berkeley @ MN Valkyries (please forgive the watermark) from Women's Premier League - USA Rug on Vimeo.

Berkeley 38 - Valkyries 0

Week 1: New York at Beantown (1st Half) from Women's Premier League - USA Rug on Vimeo.

Week 1: New York at Beantown (2nd Half) from Women's Premier League - USA Rug on Vimeo.

Other Rugby Video Mondays:
9/8/2009: Austin Valkyries vs Texas A&M University - Sep 5, 2009
8/31/2009: Full NASCs Results and Archived Video?
8/24/2009: USA vs France & England vs Canada Archived Videos
8/19/2009: Nations Cup Rugby - England vs South Africa & USA vs Canada TODAY!
8/10/2009: Nations Cup Video LIVE!
8/3/2009: Rugby Video Monday: ESPY Awards Highlights 1995 Rugby World Cup and Nelson Mandela

Please keep sending me your favorite videos to scrumhalfconnection@gmail.com! Make sure to check out the YSC VimeoChannel or my Youtube channel...and you can subscribe to both if you like, but keep in mind that all new videos will be onVimeo only as they are recorded in High Definition.

YSC: What team do you coach and how long have you been coaching?

Ryan: I coach the New York Rugby Club women's team. I have been coaching for 16 years, beginning when I was 15 years old back in New Zealand.

YSC: What year was your club established and who established it?
Ryan: The New York Rugby Club's Women's Team was originally founded as the Cornell Medical College Women's RFC and played under the Cornell colors of Red and White. In 1987, we joined the Met New York Rugby Union as Gotham City and changed our team colors to pink and black. In the Spring of 1997, we merged with the New York Rugby Football Club, Inc. ("NYRFC"). At the time the NYRFC had never fielded a women's team. Even though this meant that Gotham City would be trading its pink and black jerseys for the orange and blue colors of the NYRFC and giving up the Gotham City name, we believed that being part of a rugby tradition that extended back to 1929 and the NYRFC's strong administrative structure would assist us in improving our level of play.

YSC: Is there a specific style of play that your trying to instill in your team?
Ryan: I'd like the team to read what is in front of it on both attack and defence, and react according. We are working to have plenty of options on attack, looking to exploit mis-matches and overload singular players in a defensive line.

YSC: As a coach do you have a specific area of expertise (ie: forwards, backs, kicking, scrumhalves etc.)?
Ryan: I played mostly as a 9 and/or 10, so perhaps some might say that is my personal expertise, but I have had plenty of coaching experience in both the forwards and the backs, and I have had the opportunity to learn from some of the best coaches in the game.

YSC: What are you doing as a coach to involve your local community in the newly formed WPL?
Ryan: I would like to be involved in as much local rugby as possible during my time in NYC, offering my services within the club, as well as helping to introduce rugby into schools in the NYC area.

YSC: What are your expectations for the WPL?

Ryan: I expect there to be a high standard of competition set. There will be experienced refereeing and a skill level among participants that will allow for running rugby, and not stop-start affairs.

YSC: What specific preparations, training camps etc, will your team be participating in to prepare for their upcoming WPL games?
Ryan: I was unable to arrive in NY until late August, but our interim coaches, Annie Collier and Lisa Lake, got the team off to a great start, building a good base of fitness and understanding of team tactics. We had a training camp preceding the Saranac Lake tournament. With over 40 women at each training session, there will be a high level of competition for spots within the team that should lead to improvement across the board.

YSC: Throughout the season, how will you continue to keep your team on the top of their game?
Ryan: We will aim to make small steps each week, pinpointing areas exposed in the previous round game that need improvement. As mentioned previously, good-spirited competition within the side should keep all involved motivated to continue to learn and grow.

YSC: Where do you see the WPL in 5 years? 10?
Ryan: Hopefully the WPL will become a training ground for future US WNT representatives who are used to playing in high-pressure environments, and demonstrating improved skills. Time will tell whether more teams should be added to the Premiership, and how that will affect the concentration of talent between teams.

YSC: If you could send a message to all of your alumni and fans, what would it say?
Ryan: We welcome your support! On my first visit to Randalls Island, I was struck by the NYC skyline behind the rugby pitch. This is a special place to play, and to coach. The NYRC women have a strong tradition of success, and we aim to continue that this season in the first WPL.


Name: Caroline White
Nickname: Carrie
Height/Weight: 5'3''/140lbs
Birthplace: San Jose, CA
Current Team/How long have you played for your current team? I have been with New York Rugby Club for just over one year.
Past teams? Chico State Rugby Football Club & Christchurch Football Club
Primary Position/Secondary Position: Scrumhalf
Occupation: City Parks Worker
Superstition/Pre-game Ritual? No superstitions, but I write out my pre-game goals and the and visualise them.
When I retire from rugby I will...live simply in the woods and not worry about having to check my email.
If I had a private jet I would...be tempted to travel like crazy with it, but I would probably sell it use that money to live off and just be a ski/mountain/travel bum the rest of my life.
Who do you predict will be in the final for the 2016 Women's 7s Olympics Games? I hope it will be US vs New Zealand, but i have a really hard time think about anything that far in the future.

Contact:
Rosie Miesner
(845) 807-1153

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY, September 3, 2009—After an extensive search, the women of New York Rugby Club (NYRC) have appointed Ryan Dunnett to the head coaching position and Heidi Rubenstein to assistant coach. This announcement precedes the kickoff of USA Rugby’s inaugural Women’s Premier League, to begin this Labor Day weekend. Dunnett hails from New Zealand and joins NYRC from Canada, where he most recently coached the Calgary Canucks. He is an IRB Level 3 Coach with experience throughout New Zealand, the United States, Holland, Australia, England, and Canada. He has worked with teams of all levels, including professionals in the Super 12 and National Provincial Championship, representative sides for men and women, men’s and women’s club teams, and youth rugby programs.

Rubenstein joined NYRC as a player in 2001. Since then, she has contributed to the club on the field as a senior side flanker and team leader, and off the field as a speed, agility, and conditioning coach. Originally from Michigan, Rubenstein played with Chesapeake WRFC and the Austin Valkyries before moving to New York. NYRC captain Rebecca Brafman feels that the combination of Dunnett and Rubenstein will provide NYRC with a great springboard into the competition. “We look forward to the new ideas and patterns of play that Ryan will bring to the club, while

Heidi’s experience as a veteran player will keep us grounded in the traditions that make us NYRC.” NYRC President Hedwig Aerts also expressed her enthusiasm. “I believe Ryan and Heidi are going to be a fantastic coaching team for us in our upcoming season. We also would never have come this far if Annie Collier and Lisa Lake, veteran players and also our U19 coaches, had not stepped so ably into the role of interim coaches last spring and this summer. It’s exciting to have such great coaches for all our teams on the Club!”

The New York Rugby Club is the top women’s team in the New York City area. Rooted in Gotham City Women’s Rugby Club, which voted to join the New York Rugby Football Club, Inc. in 1997, the team has appeared in the last ten USA Rugby National DI Club Championship Tournaments and has finished in the top three since 2002. Based on this outstanding history of excellence, the NYRC Women were selected to compete in the inaugural USA Rugby Women’s Premier League. NYRC faces rival Beantown on Sunday, September 6, 2009 for their first Premiership match.

For more insight into Ryan make sure to read the WPL Spotlight on his coaching style here.